Community High School’s class of 2011 officially graduated May 31st. The ceremony was held at Hill Auditorium in downtown Ann Arbor. The seats were filled with proud parents and friends as well as CHS staff members. In addition, guests from the AAPS administration were present at the ceremony.
Dean Jen Hein opened the ceremony and quoted Shakespeare’s Polonius from the play Hamlet. She then gave student further advice, saying “There will always be one more thing adults think you should know.”
Superintendent Robert Allen pronounced the class of 2011 fit to graduate before awards were presented. Hein recognized outstanding members from this year’s graduating class with different several scholarships and awards.
Nathan Lyndell Hall Memorial Scholarship: Garret Wood
Suzanne Ruth Springer Scholarship: Elise Wander
Community Resource Award: Sonya Kotov
The Jill Award: Garret Wood and Gil Eisbruch
Bruce Bartman Memorial Scholarship: Chelsea Cendrowski
Rick Burgess Jazz Music Scholarship: Max Brown
Before the graduates got their diplomas, three retiring members of the CHS staff were honored. Hein spoke of the accomplishments of Cheryl Grace, Brian Miller, and Deborah Sipos-Rowe. Grace has taught a variety of social studies classes at CHS, and is also the founder and mentor of the nationally award winning Mock Trial Team. Miller has taught english and social studies throughout his career and has spent 28 of his 31 years teaching at CHS. Sipos-Rowe is the founder of the renowned CHS Dance Body program and is recognized as a dancer, artist and choreographer.
Each forum leader presented their own students with diplomas before the graduates had a chance to speak. Each senior was allowed 30 seconds to express themselves in whatever way they wished. Among the presentations were songs, poems, quotes, and heartfelt thanks for the past four years spent as a Rainbow Zebra.
Throughout the ceremony student performers took the stage. These included the CHS Jazz Band, the graduating seniors of Dance Body, Max Brown and Gil Eisbruch.
Watch a selection from Eisbruch’s Poem “I Am A Rainbow Zebra.”
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Watch Max Brown Perform “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
[quicktime]http://the-communicator.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/max.mov[/quicktime]
Watch the graduating seniors of Dance Body perform a piece entitled “Cosmic Love.”
[quicktime]http://the-communicator.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/dance-body.mov[/quicktime]
After thunderous rounds of applause for the staff that made the ceremony possible, the graduates filed out of the auditorium. It was an evening of happy memories and parting sorrow. From the emotional speeches to the retiring staff to the baby picture slideshow this year’s graduation was a success. It showcased the originality and talent of the graduating class, and was a fitting end to the year. Congratulations class of 2011. You will be missed.
