By RUSSELL JONES
Proctor Jr./Sr. High School may not be the biggest school around, but what they lack in size, they make up for in the quality of education. They were recently named number eight out of all Vermont High Schools by U.S. News and World Report.
Using a formula that takes in to account things like college readiness, math and reading proficiency and graduation rates, the publication ranks high schools throughout the state. In addition to the eighth place in the state, they ranked 1,949 in the nation among 17,245 schools that were evaluated.
The graduation rate at Proctor High School is 93 percent, somewhat above the state average, and the math and reading proficiency is 86 percent, which ranks 980th in the nation. The 19 seniors who make up the graduating class of 2019 rank right up there with another successful class of students the school regularly turns out.
On Saturday, June 8, parents and family members filled the school gymnasium to honor the culmination of years of hard work. The students streamed into the gym in crimson and white before taking their seats upon the stage.
Members of the 1969 graduation class were there to receive their golden diplomas marking the 50th anniversary of their time at the school.
Margaret Bartlett, who was a coordinator at the school for 35 years, gave the commencement address. Bartlett practically beamed as she recalled meeting the students for the first time.
“We hit the ground running,” she said. “There weren’t enough hours in the day to give them all the love and attention they deserve.”
She went on to describe the potential in the students.
“I get emotional thinking about them,” Bartlett said. “Then I remember the Proctor Elementary School song.”
At these words, the students seated behind her all began singing the words to “I am a Promise.”
“I am a promise, I am a possibility,” they sang. “I am a promise, with a capital P.”
As the students ended with the line, “I am a great big bundle of potentiality,” the audience thundered its approval.
“What an outstanding group of young adults,” Bartlett said before her closing remarks. “Know you’ve been given a strong foundation to build on. You’re from Proctor.”
Sarah Pecor earned the Summa Cum Laude honor and Amanda Gates and Jacob Perkins received Magna Cum Laude honors. Susan Atwood and Leah Moody were Cum Laude.
Pecor gave the valedictorian speech and reminded her classmates to stay gracious as they find their way through the world and to keep faith with the spirit instilled in them by their hometown.
“The final page of our legacy must turn to a new chapter,” Pecor said. “The world lacks appreciation for unpredictable success. Be unpredictable.”
And in encouraging words to the 2019 graduates heading out into the world to forge their own trails, Proctor Principal Christopher Sell reassured the graduates: “Find your passion in life. You’ll always have a home in Proctor.”
