Oak Park High School 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony Thursday, May 28, 2020, 6:30 p.m.
[Music] [Music]
Dr. Chris Good Evening. We are here tonight to celebrate the 55th graduating class of Oak Sartain Park High School. Now, please join me in welcoming the Class of 2020.
[Music] [Music]
Dr. Chris Please rise and gentlemen let’s remove our caps for the playing of the National Sartain Anthem under the direction of Ms. Mallory Mahon and our Commencement Band.
[Music] [Music]
Martha Please be seated. Good evening. My name is Martha Delatorre and welcome to the Delatorre 55th commencement ceremony of Oak Park High School. What an exciting time for the class of 2020. While it might not be what we were expecting, thank you to everyone who is making this evening special. Graduates, parents, family, faculty, friends and distinguished viewers: allow me to say thank you for all that you have done to make this a memorable ceremony.
Natalie Hi, my name is Natalie Morrison. It is my honor to present this year's Norma and Morrison Norman awards. Both of these seniors exemplify what it means to be Oak Park Northmen. Both students have been models of scholarship by being diligent in their studies, showing their willingness to serve others by giving back to the school, and community as well as the Northmen spirit by actively supporting and participating in a variety of athletics and activities. This long-standing award is based on a vote by their peers, and as a part of this honor they will each choose their favorite book to be permanently placed in the Oak Park Library Media Center. Our first honoree has an extensive list of extracurricular and leadership activities. Academically, she has been awarded A+, National Honor Society and Gold Medallion distinctions. She has been a part of volleyball, soccer, and choir. She has served in student council as a class officer and in student leadership. She has also served as the Class of 2020 Student Body President. Please help me congratulate this year's Norma recipient, Ms. Malisa Bartlow. Our next senior has also been active in a variety of extracurricular activities, as well as having highly distinguished academic achievements and awards. He has participated in band, orchestra, and Oak Street Singers. He was an active member in National Honor Society and HOSA. He also participated in the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program. He attended Missouri Scholars Academy and received the honor of the Harvard Book Award. Please congratulate this year's Norman recipient, Mr. Nicholas Burdolski. These two students truly show each and every day what it means to be a part of the Oak Park family. Congratulations again Malisa and Nick.
Malisa Hello, my name is Malisa Bartlow. I have the honor of presenting the class of 2020 Bartlow senior gift. Dr. Sartain, on behalf of the entire senior class of 2020, we would like to present you and the Oak Park family our gift of two more water bottle fountains. A plaque will be placed at each to commemorate the class of 2020. We are excited that our gift will be a part of the Oak Park family for many years to come and allow Oak Park to be more ecologically friendly and give students easier access to fill their water.
Nicholas Hello, my name is Nicholas Burdolski. Tonight would not be possible for us without Burdolski the hard work support and encouragement from the Oak Park faculty and staff. I would first like to thank our administrative staff: Principal Dr. Chris Sartain and his assistant principals: Dr. Mike Dial, Mr. Chad Valadez, Mrs. Molly Smith, and Dr. Casey Vokolek. We appreciate the time and work you put forth to make Oak Park a great place to learn. To the faculty, thank you for your dedication and tireless efforts that you have shown to us. Your guidance and diligence has made tonight possible. Please join me in thanking these individuals for the commitment to the students of the North Kansas City School District and Oak Park High School.
Dr. Chris Thank you to everyone who is here for this very special occasion. I am Chris Sartain Sartain and as principal of Oak Park High School, it is my privilege to recognize several honored guests. Joining us are Dr. Dan Clemens, Superintendent of North Kansas City Schools and Ms. Jan Kauk, President of the Board of Education. Tonight would not be possible without the support of assistant principals Dr. Casey Vokolek, Dr. Mike Dial, Mrs. Molly Smith, and Mr. Chad Valadez. Finally, we thank our senior class committee: Martha Delatorre, Natalie Morrison, Malisa Bartlow, Nicholas Burdolski, Laurena Cangelosi, Isabella Cangelosi, Callie Johnston-Coker, Rachel Wingerson, Skylar Small, and Morgan Kendall.
Class of 2020, I have to say, I love your quote. “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” Dr. Seuss always had a way with words, but this is really special to me. When I was introduced to our faculty four years ago at Oak Park as the new principal, I told a story about my daughter, who was five at the time. Somebody asked her what her parents did. She said, “My mom is a doctor. My dad is a doctor too, but he is more like Dr. Seuss.” While I don’t think my daughter meant it to be a compliment, I told our staff that I could not think of a better way to praise somebody than being compared to Dr. Seuss. He has touched millions of lives with his stories and I can speak firsthand to the wonderful moments I have had reading Dr. Seuss to my own children. But tonight isn’t about me. Tonight is about you. It is not about COVID, it is not about what you had to miss. It is about what you have done and what you will do in the future. I challenge you to make the most out of each moment for the rest of your lives. If we have learned anything the last couple of months, it is to never take tomorrow for granted. How many of you thought March 13th was your last day sitting in a classroom, walking the halls, or eating lunch in the Lumberjack Café with your friends? I didn’t. If I would have thought that, I would have made more out of that day. How naive of me to take that day for granted. How irresponsible of me not to spend more time talking to all of you and enjoying the moment. Do not let the precious moments that we have in our lives fail to become amazing memories. You have been through so much these last few months but those lost moments should not define you. No, we get to choose the memories we make. We get to choose the lives we will live. A virus does not define you. A quarantine does not define you. Missing a quarter of your senior year does not define you. YOU define you. You get to make the most of each moment. Nothing can take away the memories you have and the memories you will continue to make! Class of 2020, you are going be tested thousands and thousands of times throughout your life. When you feel like you just can’t anymore, keep circling back to the memories you have experienced and be optimistic about those you hope to make. You have been tested to the extreme these last couple of months and you have passed the test with flying colors. Remember that every challenge presents itself with the unique opportunity to make lasting memories that you can look back on and appreciate. Someday, your story will be told by somebody else. How will you be remembered by others? Tonight is your night, 2020. We are so proud of the 55th graduating class of Oak Park High School. Thank you for all you have done “For The Family” and we cannot wait to see what your future holds! Here is to making more of those memories you will cherish forever!
While every student will be recognized shortly, it is customary to acknowledge students on this occasion that have achieved some noteworthy milestones during their time at Oak Park. First, the following members of this class have received an A in every course they have taken during high school, thus earning a perfect 4.0 un- weighted grade point average. Angelina Garcia and Natalie Morrison. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating our 4.0 students. The next group of students have achieved perfect attendance over all four years of their high school career. Adam Barringer, Isabella Cangelosi, Laurena Cangelosi, Darien Gray, Chance Gresham, Trenton Swinford, Jessika Zuber. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating our perfect attendance students. These students have met the requirements for graduating with honors by earning the Gold Medallion Diploma. This diploma requires a rigorous course of study including additional core subject credits and honors courses while maintaining at least a 3.2 GPA. In addition, students must perform community service, complete an internship, and compile an extensive high school portfolio. Finally, students must engage in a year-long study culminating in a final project.
Tihani Abubakar: how does the upbringing of a child impact their success? Adam Barringer: how does population growth affect deforestation? Malisa Bartlow: are social media platforms invading users privacy, and what government regulations secure their data? Parker Bensyl: what are the changes and differences in social media platforms, and what is the reasoning behind those differences? Danielle Blankenship: do sociopaths have empathy? Montanna Brelsford: how is urbanization affecting human health? Philip Brennaman: how do career opportunities compare to earning a college degree? Nicholas Burdolski: should governments partake in economic involvement to reduce the effects of climate change? Laurena Cangelosi: how does nostalgia affect people and what actions can be taken to ensure that it leaves a positive impact on them? Isabella Cangelosi: how do video games positively affect education, and should schools only allow students to play cooperative games? Malaina Curtiss: is social media hindering children's education? Martha Delatorre: how does social media influence social movements? Skyler Dildine: how can the implementation of new medications helps slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease? Angelina Garcia: why will the effects of climate change be worse for developing countries? Olivia Gentry: how does social media affect rates of rage killing and suicide? Kaleb Harbrucker: what are the positive effects of video games? Riley Henderson: how does nostalgia affect our perception of the past? Nathan Hendricks: what are the negative factors contributing to a failing prison system? Robert Hill: how can educational economic resources improve the standing of third world countries? Callie Johnston-Coker: what are the effects of overpopulation in different parts of the world today? Morgan Kendall: how does technology impact our human interactions? Joshua Kueck: do animals require unique care and special considerations because of their emotions? Ivonee Morales-Mejia: what is the effect of urbanization on culture? Malcolm Morse: how does television negatively affect children at a young age? Jacob Mustard: how does social media impact voter turnout? Jim Nguyen: how does social media increase the rise in social anxiety and depression in teens? Stevie Oitker: how did the civil rights movement pave the way for diversity today? Jackson Satter: how does social media accessibility affect fitness outcomes? Elaina Shalabi: how has exposure to social media affected the social norms of society? Samuel Skelton: what is the future of alternative energy in developed nations? Skylar Small: does social media have a negative impact resulting in racism? Phoenix Smith: does social media affect adolescent development? Jessica Turner: how does social media decrease self-esteem? Logan Whitley: what are the privacy concerns with social networking services and how do they impact us? Rachel Wingerson: how has social media negatively affected politics and should we create laws to help? The AP Capstone Honors Diploma is awarded to students that have outstanding academic achievement and have attained college-level academic and research skills. Students earning this diploma have mastered AP Seminar and AP Research courses requiring students to conduct a year-long research-based investigation on a topic they choose, and also they must score a three or higher on four additional AP exams. This year, Parker Bensyl has earned the AP Capstone Diploma of Distinction at Oak Park in addition to Gold Medallion.
I now would like to ask Martha Delatorre, Natalie Morrison, Malisa Bartlow, and Nicholas Burdolski to share a special message for the Class of 2020.
Natalie Four years ago, I never would have imagined we would be where we are today. Four Morrison years ago, I never would have known how much one building would change my life for the better, forever. On March 13th as I walked to my car, I remember stopping and thinking to myself, what if today was my last day as a student at Oak Park? What if I never got the chance to thank my teachers and let them know how much they mean to me? If there's one thing I've learned in my lifetime at Oak Park, it would be to not take any moment for granted. Every game night a sea of blue and white, and catching a whiff of cheap face paint. All those times I raised my hand to ask yet another question, my teachers were always kind and patient with me. All those paint brushes I washed and reused, and I never got a drop on me. Every backstage quick change and dress rehearsals and competitions with Mr. D., and I never missed an entrance. Looking back, I've realized that I've been given so much to be thankful for. Good friends, great teachers and even better memories to take with me on my next journey. The class of 2020 is unstoppable, and I think that we can all agree that a screen chat could never do a face-to-face conversation justice. Thanks to Oak Park, we finished chapters and started writing new ones. But our story isn't over yet thanks to Oak Park, we will always be blue on blue through and through.
Malisa I would like to thank all the parents, family, friends, faculty and staff who've supported Bartlow us as we work towards this special moment. 1,376 days ago, we all walked into the brick building of Oak Park High School as freshmen. We've changed a lot since our first day of freshman year. Buses turned into cars, friends turned into family, and teachers turned into mentors. We have been talking about this day graduation since day one, and well it's finally here. Dr. Seuss once said, "Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." I thought a lot about this quote as I was writing this because I feel like our high school experience is something we will never forget. Through our four years here, we have built unbreakable friendships, impressive accomplishments, and made unforgettable memories. Looking back, I remember our sophomore year. That's when we all had those loud, dangly lanyards hanging out of our pockets. That's when we all got driver's licenses, and we wanted to make sure everyone knew that. But, if you were anything like me, two weeks later I hit a car in the parking lot, and I was back to riding the bus. One day, I'm going to be able to tell my kids about the year of 2020. I'm going to tell them about how we celebrated homecoming with the parade, pep rally, dance and more. How we cheered our hearts out at Friday night football games. The late nights we spent doing our online classes because we always waited till last minute, and being able to scream out "who's your daddy" every time we heard the band play it. But most importantly, I'll tell them that even though we were given the adversity of today's issue, we didn't veer off our path to success. But we powered on towards our end goal. We didn't get the chance to celebrate this day the way we imagined it for sure. But the great thing about high school is so many stories are written. Everyone's story is different. But what is unique to us, us brought together by the blue, is we all did it at Oak Park High School. This is only the beginning of your story, and those memories are worth holding on to, and worth telling. So let's cherish the moments we had, but remember what's ahead of us. Class of 2020, you are a talented, smart, diverse, and strong graduating class. And I have no doubt you'll do amazing things in this world. As we move into the next stage of our lives, remember that ends are not a bad thing. They just mean something else is going to - is about to begin. I challenge each and every one of you to do what your heart desires, and leave a lasting impact on the world that you can proudly look back upon and say, "I just did that." Thank you.
Nicholas The past few months have been unexpected to say the least. I don't think any of us Burdolski could have prepared for missing so many important milestones of our senior year, and missing out on spending the last little bit hanging around our friends. The class of 2020 definitely got the short end of the stick. But it just goes to show how strong and resilient we are as a class. Though this isn't quite what any of us wanted or expected, we are still here making the most of it. Now it is tough being stuck inside at home. You really learn a lot about the people you live with when you see them 24/7. I personally have chosen to use a lot of the free time on my hands to reflect. In the past few months, I've reflected on the quote my fellow senior class of 2020 officers and I have chosen to base all of graduation off of and to represent the class of 2020 as a whole. The quote is one by Dr. Seuss. He said, "Sometimes you'll never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." Now those are wise words coming from someone who wrote about green eggs and ham and fox and socks. But I've come to realize that since we were little, Dr. Seuss has been teaching us valuable lessons to take with us through life. These lessons have built us into the men and women we are today and prepares for anything we may face. Think of Cat in the Hat. It's a story about two kids stuck at home on a gloomy day with nothing to do. Then a magical hat-bearing feline appears and shows the kids how to have fun and how to make the most of their given situation. Now, that might sound familiar for many of us, minus the talking cat part, but we have taken the lessons taught to us as young children and reinforced through our time at Oak Park to make the most of the past few months. Maybe you picked up a new hobby, spent time with family, students maybe you studied (although i wouldn't bank on that one). Either way, we took our situation stuck inside and made the most of it. The valuable lessons don't stop there at Cat in the Hat. Think of the Grinch, my personal favorite, who taught us to accept our differences and to treat others with respect. Green Eggs and Ham taught us to always try something before jumping to conclusions. You never know what you may enjoy. Horton Hears a Who taught us that everybody matters. The Lorax, he taught us to love and respect the environment. The sneetches taught us to never make assumptions. The book Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? Well, that one is pretty self-explanatory. You may be wondering, did this guy really go back and read all these books? And yes I did. And yes, I was rhyming for days afterwards. The point is, there are so many valuable lessons you can take away from Dr. Seuss, just like when we evaluate our time at Oak Park. Through the friendships that have grown, teachers we've come to love, and memories that have been made, I invite you to think back and remember all the times we've shared together as the class of 2020. It has been an interesting four years, but there isn't a class I'd want to experience all this with more than you guys. Finally i'd like to leave you off with a quote from the Dr. Seuss book Oh the Places You'll Go: "Congratulations. Today is your day. You're off to great places, you're off and away. You've got brains in your head, you've got feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own and you know what you know, and you are the one who will decide where to go." Thank you.
Martha I'm glad to have the opportunity to be standing here before the class of 2020. Not Delatorre literally, but bear with me. I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone once again for having the strength, patience and optimism for finishing the year strong despite all of the hurdles that we had to jump over and this curveball, the pandemic. Give yourselves a round of applause. [Applause] Don't worry, I've got you guys. I'd like to point out some of the challenges that we have overcome, starting with freshman year. First, we couldn't debunk whether there was really a swimming pool on top of the roof or not. Don't pretend like you guys didn't believe it too! As sophomores, some of us were driven crazy with taking our very first AP class. Shout out to the students that survived reading the textbook in Mrs. Pabon's APUSH class. You will be remembered. Junior year, some failed to get sleep the night before the ACT and decided nap time was going to take place during the reading section... T would know from experience. Now we come to our senior year, where we have become experienced scholarship seekers and sleep deprived seniors from procrastination, the late night games and a little thing called senioritis. Sad to say it gets worse with time. Or even the little moments, such as being in class with a favorite teacher, painting the signs we hang in the hallways, attending assemblies, or even as little as scoring an A on the test you pulled an all-nighter for. Hence the bags under our eyes. Yet, these are the moments that we value the most. It's the little things that matter. Because once the reins have been removed, and we have been set free, we're off to make the decisions on our own. Moments like these have created memories and experiences that will help mold and guide our decisions in the future. Remember that no matter what, we're all family here and it's important that what you take here from today is not only the final moments of seeing each other here, together, in the same room one last time. But it's the moments cherished and the experiences forever remembered. I want to say i'm truly proud of each and every one of you, because much like a flower, we can look around the room and see that we have all truly blossomed. It's now up to you whether you continue to plant these seeds and grow, or simply stay the blossommed flower that you are. Always know that you are capable of more than you think, and you will continue making your mark in this world. As I'm coming to an end of my speech, it reminds me that we are also truly coming to an end of our senior year. If you were to remember anything from today or your last four years spent at Oak Park, take this with you: we are here for each other. Better yet, for the family. Thank you.
Dr. Chris Here is our 2018-2019 A Cappella Choir, under the direction of Mr. Chris Sartain Droegemueller performing “For Good”. Ladies and gentlemen: Oak Park’s A Cappella Choir.
[Music] [Music]
Dr. Chris Thank you Mr. Droegumueller and our A Cappella choir. Would the Class of 2020 Sartain please rise? Dr. Clemens, I present to you this year’s senior class. These students have met the requirements of North Kansas City Schools and the state of Missouri. It is an honor to present the Oak Park High School graduating class of 2020 for your acceptance.
Dr. Dan On behalf of the school administration, I accept the graduating class of 2020 and Clemens certify that they have met the graduation requirements for North Kansas City Schools. I extend best wishes to each of you in your future endeavors and am honored to present the Oak Park Senior Class of 2020 to Ms. Jane Rinehart and Ms. Jan Kauk, members of the Board of Education.
Jan Kauk On behalf of the Board of Education, I authorize the awarding of these diplomas. I also congratulate each of you, your families, and the staff of Oak Park High School and wish you success in the future.
[Names are read while students' photos are shown on screen.]
Dr. Chris Seniors, please rise for the performing of our alma mater. Sartain
[Music] [Music]
Dr. Chris This concludes our first ever virtual graduation ceremony. Class of 2020, Sartain congratulations on being the first class to ever participate virtually and we cannot wait to celebrate you in person later this summer. You are missed, but you will never be forgotten. Thank you for all you have done For The Family!