A site for all Williston Northampton speeches and reflections.

Senior Dinner Remarks by Tim Murphy ’96

Remarks delivered at The Williston Northampton School’s Senior Dinner on September 14, 2012, by Tim Murphy, Director of Placement at The Fessenden School.

Tim Murphy '96 speaks during Senior Dinner © Matthew Cavanaugh

Thank you Mr. Hill, Elizabeth D’Amour, faculty, and members of the Class of 2013. It is hard to express, after spending 13 years of my life at Williston, what it means to me to be invited to speak to you today. I don’t think I’ve been this nervous since my freshman English class in 1992, when I addressed the assembled school community in the Chapel about Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas!

When I told my dad in passing a few weeks ago that I’d be speaking at Williston, he became quiet and looked out the car window for a few moments. He then recalled dropping me off outside the Williston Middle School on my first day of 7th grade in 1990. As I walked, apprehensively, away from the safety of his car and towards that front door, I stopped, briefly, turned back, and shot him a nervous smile, feigning confidence and enthusiasm. My dad, not believing my face for a second, prayed that I would survive. “That you would thrive,” he told me later, “didn’t even occur to me. I only wanted you to survive.” Survive I did. And if you will indulge me a brief trip down memory lane, I’ll give you some background.

The Director of the Middle School, with whom I immediately connected, was a kind man from Zimbabwe named Desmond Pullen. My math teacher was the ever-patient, always positive, Mimi King. My English teacher, who pushed me hard to become a good writer and forever eradicated the word “um” from my vocabulary, was Paul Sonerson. Sitting in the classrooms of these dynamic teachers, I soon forgot about my unhappy elementary school experience in a rigid parochial school, and reveled in a school environment where teachers sought my opinions, joined me at my lunch table if I needed extra help, and delighted in my quirky sense of humor. I was hooked. My life would never be the same again.

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Moment of Reflection by Glenn Swanson ’64

As The Williston Northampton School gathers together for this opening school year, we have an opportunity to have a few moments of reflection. Although this is obviously not the real beginning, it is the formal beginning as we convene to celebrate the start of school. A year ago, I asked that we reflect on where we are, where we have come from, and where we expect to be metaphysically at the end of the school year.

This year, I offer a different theme, just because some things are new while others stay the same. I got into an R mood last year, and I decided to stay with it this year. I wanted to think of revelation, not in the sense of the last book of the New Testament in the Bible, but in the sense that we all had some experiences this summer that offered a new perspective on life. In the next nine months, until the closing ceremony of Commencement—the graduation of seniors—that we prepare ourselves for revelations that will come during the year.

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Take Small, Sure-Footed Steps: Convocation Speech by Bob Hill

I want to extend a warm welcome to The Williston Northampton School classes of 2017-2013, to faculty and staff, parents, trustees, and to honored guests.

This afternoon’s Convocation marks the official start of our 172nd year. This summer, as I was re-reading the school history of the founders, Samuel and Emily Williston, I realized again that theirs was an improbable journey. Having had all four of their children die from the various viruses that proved so deadly to children before penicillin, Samuel and Emily Williston’s surrogate child was the institution that was your alma mater.

As Mr. Ketcham explained to us last Sunday—and all of your propelled us along with a Willy-rendition of the rock anthem, “Don’t Stop Belivin'”—we are all on personal journeys. So, in the spirit of the ninth grade’s reading of the Odyssey and Mr. Ketcham’s song selection, I wanted to expand on this notion for a few moments.

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Convocation Address by Elizabeth D’Amour

Greetings and Welcome

Welcome to my colleagues on the Board of Trustees with a special mention to Chuck Taulk, our former President of the Board, To Headmaster Hill (FYI:   Headmaster Hill is my first hire in my new role as President of the Board of Trustees…and hopefully my LAST hire!  I think we could all agree that I’m batting 1,000 in the hiring department.)

Elizabeth D'Amour © Matthew Cavanaugh

Welcome to the esteemed and beloved faculty sitting here behind me, welcome to our hardworking staff… and welcome to all the friends of The Williston Northampton School who have gathered here on this beautiful evening. And of course, welcome to my dear husband, Charlie.

We all have our sleeves rolled up and our game faces on.  We are poised and ready to begin The Williston Northampton School’s 172nd year of educating students.

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Convocation Speech by Matthew Freire ’13

Presented by student government president Matthew Freire ’13 during Convocation on September 14, 2012.

To the faculty, staff and administration; parents; distinguished guests; and especially to my fellow Williston students:

Good evening.

© Matthew Cavanaugh

It is indeed an honor to stand before you this evening as your 2012-2013 student government president. I can hardly believe that it has been four years since my first convocation! I was excited, scared and uncertain about what to expect once I got here. Despite my mixed feelings, however, I was sure of one thing: that Williston would be perfect for me.

When I first arrived, I was astounded by how tall people were, nevertheless it didn’t prevent me from establishing the wonderful friendships I have here today. I arrived at Williston as one of the shortest freshmen and now four years and about three inches taller, I continue to remain one of the shortest in my class. However, my message to you today is not about how tall or short you are, it’s about how far you can go and what story you want to tell at the end of your Williston journey.

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A site for all Williston Northampton speeches and reflections.