Chelsea High School Class of 2008:
Tried by Tragedy, Not Defined By It
By Henry Cesari

If there had been a theme to Friday night’s Chelsea High School graduation, it would have been family.

Interim Principal Barrett Williams compared the class to a family that had faced challenges and stuck together. He also thanked the families in the audience for their support of the students and remembered the steadfast strength his own family provided him. Finally, he reflected on the recent birth of his own son, hoping that, in 18 years, he’d be sitting in the audience of a graduation like Friday night’s ceremony. The strength of the small community of Chelsea High School was never more obvious than the moment Kelly Lyford, of the school board, presented her son, Jordan, with his diploma and a hug.

This already close-knit community, the class of 2008, was only made closer by the September car accident which left their own Morgan Wadkins with a spinal cord injury. That was the message conveyed by the class of 2008 and their salutatorian, Althea Spencer. In her speech, Spencer cited the way the class, early in their senior year, had pulled together to fundraise for Morgan, wear armbands to support her, even incorporate "for Morgan" into their team cheers.

However, it wasn’t just her role as a passive victim of an unfortunate accident, which solidified the class unit. It was her model of hope and determination—and sense of humor—as well. Morgan Wadkins’ resilience and strength were lauded openly at Friday night’s graduation ceremony.

Wadkins was celebrated by Spencer’s address, by commencement speaker J.D. Green after she introduced him, by Barrett Williams with the prestigious principal’s award, and by the heartfelt applause of the audience gathered on the common.

Green told the class to "be patient, but not let life pass you by; to know what you want and go for it." He also said that Wadkins was a perfect example of someone who knew what she wanted and didn’t let anything get in her way.

Awards

Melvin C. Somers Math Award, William Murawski; David Shipp English Award, David Lembke; Balfour Award, Jessica Cooper; Grace F. Chapin Award: Justin Gilbert and Samantha LeBaigue; Harry Goodwin Memorial Award, Heidi Hatch; George Washington Lodge #51 Scholarship, Jessica Cooper; Orange County Sheriff’s Association Award: Kimberly Upham; and Hilary Spires Memorial Poetry Award, Jessica Cooper.

Frank M. and Olive F. Gilman Foundation Scholarship: Jessica Cooper, William Murawski, and Althea Spencer; Merle G. Fitzgerald "Ideal Senior" Award, Joseph Bonasera; Elizabeth Richter Memorial Scholarship: Willa Capobianco and Morgan Wadkins; Faculty Award, Savannah Welch; Principal’s Award, Morgan Wadkins; Arthur Scott Memorial Trust, Caetlin Barnaby; and L.B. and Bertha Bowen Trust: Caetlin Barnaby, Joseph Bonasera, Hiedi Hatch, Jordan Lyford, Kimberly Upham, and Savannah Welch.

VSAC Honor Student Award, William Murawski; Sons’ of Veterans Award, Althea Francisco; Chelsea Academy Alumni Association Award: Heidi Hatch, Althea Spencer, and William Murawski; Anonymous Scholarship, Jessica Cooper; Friends of Chelsea Scholarship: Jessica Cooper and Jordan Lyford; Katie Beede and Chris Chaloux Memorial Scholarship, Morgan Wadkins; Ideal #70 Rebekah Lodge, Jessica Cooper; and Society of Women Engineers: Willa Capobianco, Althea Spencer, and Morgan Wadkins.

CHS Graduates

Caetlin Ashley Barnaby, Community College of Vt.; Joseph William Bonasera, Castleton State College; Willa Sisken Capobianco, University of Vt.; Jessica Eva Cooper, Johnson State College; Althea Lois Francisco, Castleton State College; Justin Robert Gilbert, Cote Allan Griggs, Heidi Louise Hatch, Johnson State College; Melinda Lee Marie Hurlburt, Alaska Pacific University; and Samantha Anne LeBaigue.

David Wesley Lembke, Jordan Alan Lyford, Vt. Technical College; William Daniel Murawski, Lehigh University; Althea Sky Spencer. SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry; Kimberly Forsyth Upham, Lake Region Community College; Morgan Florence Wadkins, Community College of Vt.; John F. Welch. Savannah Michelle Welch, Queens College.

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