Class of 2008 Urged to be Altruistic

The Harvey School Class of 2008 was urged to become engaged and productive members of society, take an interest in public service, and become part of the solution to some of the world’s most pressing problems during the school’s graduation ceremony held June 5.

In her commencement address before the 58 graduates, the Board of Directors, faculty, parents, and other students, Bedford Town Supervisor Lee Roberts recounted her own experience in public service, urging the graduating class to register to vote in the upcoming general election and to be part of what is happening in their communities.

“You are the next generation of decision-makers,” said Ms. Roberts, who was elected the town’s first woman supervisor in 2003. “Your willingness to be part of the local community will determine the ultimate success of our country.”

She also lauded them for their willingness to become involved in a number of initiatives, such as the frequent Midnight Run trips to feed the homeless in New York City and their fundraising efforts for Orphans in Transition, an organization established by Rwandan native and Harvey graduate Alain Rwabukamba. The organization will offer an early childhood education program, a vocational high school and a community home for children in Rwanda.

In her valedictory speech, Abigail Hunt also encouraged the graduates to become more involved in their communities. She recalled a trip to Israel last summer where she worked with a charitable organization providing help to families in East Jerusalem. She discovered that even the smallest amount of help was gratefully appreciated by the recipients.

Returning to Harvey, Abigail finally made the connection between what she was learning at school and the charitable work she was doing. It was the teachers at Harvey that had made the difference, she said. Urging the graduates to pursue similar pursuits, Abigail said, “Each of us should try to make a positive impact on those around us and those we come in contact with in our daily lives.”

A number of awards were handed out during the ceremony. They included the Wells Speech Cup, which was given to 10th-grader Connor Mulhern; the Cavalier Award, which was given to graduate Matt Bernard; the Headmaster’s Prize, which was shared by seniors Joe Lombardi and Brook Stager; the Lindsay Loring Loyalty Award, which was awarded to Eupha Jean McCrary; and Alain Rwabukamba, who accepted the Founder’s Cup.

The graduating class included Roshan Asrani, Matthew Bernhard, Rachel Camoia, Sara Coleman, Margot Connolly, Cody Corsano, Tyler Corsano, Rachel D’Agostino, Aaron Dowdell, Justin Edelstein, Bridget Elliot, Julie Fingerhut, Brittany Fleiss, John Gattuso, Chelsea Gifford, Erik Gins, Alissa Goldberg, Paul Grunow, Dylan Hackley, Andrew Hernandez, Grant Hewitt, Abigail Hunt, Matthew Impastato, Yulia Josiger, Lauren Judisky, Molly Kronick, Miranda Larsen, Samuel Lavin, Clara Lefton, Alessandra Leone, David Levine, Joseph Lombardi, Charles Lovell, Leydi Goldschlag, Catherine McCarthy, Eupha Jeanne McCrary, Edward Miller, Scott Oltman, Philip Porter, Robert Reeder, Stephanie Rodrigues, David Rome, Sarah Rubel, Amanda Rubiano, Alain Rwabukamba, Harsha Saxena, Paige Singer, Christine Smith, Joanna Smith, Brooke Stager, Marley Strauss, Joshua Suna, Edward Theurkauf, Alison Walkup, Porter Williams, Kathryn Winn, Nina Wise, and Allison Zakre.