MANCHESTER — The 435 members of Londonderry High's Class of 2008 may have followed different paths to graduation, but few could top the one Jake Chagnon traveled yesterday.
He started his graduation day at 6:30 a.m. in a local hospital where he had surgery to remove his appendix.
The morning surgery ended his chance to perform the music for the class, but the 18-year-old, who was originally scheduled to sing "September," brought down the house anyway when the audience saw he had arrived for the commencement exercises — in cap and gown and a wheelchair. Afterwards, Jake said the operation only took about an hour, and his doctors cleared him to leave the hospital in plenty of time to graduate with the Class of 2008 — something he wouldn't have missed.
Principal James Elefante told the Class of 2008 he would remember them most for their "spirit and sense of caring for others."
Every year, Elefante says he tells the graduates they are his favorite class. This 29th Londonderry High graduation ceremony was different, Elefante said, because this time he truly meant those words.
"Class of 2008, you truly are the best," the principal said, looking out at the 435 seniors. "And you are my favorite class."
Elefante said 90 percent of the Class of 2008 is college bound, the highest percentage in school history. Two graduates will attend Ivy League colleges in the fall, and several others will continue their studies at distinguished institutions like Berkeley, Stanford and Bryn Mawr College.
"This class is unique and outstanding," said Elefante, who is retiring in June after 26 years as a Londonderry principal. He said he has been the principal of many of these students for nine of their 12 years in school.
The class gave a standing ovation to 15-year-old Samantha Salie who received an honorary diploma at yesterday's commencement exercises. Samantha has a rare disease, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, which causes muscles, tendons and tissues to become calcified, her aunt Janet Clark said previously.
Valedictorian Alexandria MicKinney said the Class of 2008 could turn out to be tomorrow's leaders, as the platitude goes. It remains to be seen what they will accomplish, but the potential is infinite.
"Roll that eight on its side and it becomes the symbol for infinity," she said.
Class president Jeffrey Brulet said no one person could speak for the whole class but as a group they had left a legacy of "unrivalled school spirit and commitment to excellence." Brulet said the class has had obstacles to overcome and mentioned classmate Kyle Robinson's obstacles. Robinson, who struggled with epilepsy for years, drowned following his freshman year. Brulet said his memory lives on in their hearts. Brulet said the seniors had learned who they are over their four years at Londonderry High.
"And wherever your future may take you, don't forget the way home," he said.
