Syracuse Post-Standard
Staff writer Elizabeth Doran
Eight seniors accepted their diplomas wearing Native American regalia, for the first time in LaFayette’s history.
After the ceremonies, Marcia Lyons, who led the effort to wear the regalia at graduation, said she’s glad the year is over and hopeful the new tradition will continue.
“I felt really happy and excited” to wear the handmade regalia at graduation, Lyons said.
Shute urged his classmates to find something they really care about and work hard at it. Share your gift with others, and try to make the world a better place, he said. “Volunteer, give blood and read the newspaper every day,” he advised.
Biegler read a poem about learning from the past and looking toward the future with enthusiasm.
Stowe, the class president, advised making time for others, being part of a community and showing people there is sincerity and genuine love in the world.
Nastasi recalled all the life lessons her brother taught her. “He showed me being an individual is extremely important, and following the crowd is not all it’s cracked up to be,” she said.
She said people learn history so they can stop repeating the same mistakes. “Life’s too short to be repeating mistakes,” she said.