When Convent of the Sacred Heart salutatorian Nicole Narea heard that journalist and author Tom Brokaw was speaking at the school's commencement, she approached aneditor of Greenwich Time, where she works as a specialcorrespondent, to ask if she could cover her own graduation for thenewspaper. Addressing the crowd gathered under a large tent on the windy KingStreet campus Friday, Narea said she eventually realized shewouldn't be able to get her diploma and then interview the NBCveteran. But after recounting her experiences as a student at the privategirls' school, and describing the potential of her classmates,Narea was able to give Brokaw a message. "Mr.
Brokaw, I encourage you to stay tuned, as there might beanother great generation to write about in the future," said Narea,of Greenwich. Brokaw then told the graduates that they absolutely had thepotential to help shape the 21st century, even during a time ofgrowing economic inequality, and with the world's resources underconstant assault. "We cannot wall ourselves off from these realities, no matter howhigh the gates in our communities or how great the wealth in ourfamilies," Brokaw said. "But you can find new ways to manage them,and you will also bring new thinking and energy to these issuesbecause you represent the leading edge of a historic revolution." Brokaw encouraged the students to help those who are lessfortunate, and help redefine an American dream that has long beenbased on becoming financially successful.
Instead, students shouldchange the dream to include more racial and gender tolerance,economic justice and closer friendships than the ones forged onFacebook. "God knows, we need your help," Brokaw said. "And as Nicolepromised, I know you will become the next greatest generation." Brokaw, who also spoke last week at Greenwich Academy 's commencement, has a special connection to Sacred Heart's Classof 2012. He worked with journalist David Bloom , who died of a blood clot in his leg while covering the Iraq warfor NBC in April 2003. Bloom's twin daughters, Christine and Nicole, were among the 61graduates and, as Brokaw explained, part of the "extended NBC News family." "This is a very personal moment for me," he said.
The other commencement speakers told personal stories about howSacred Heart had shaped them. Co-valedictorian Catherine Colford , of Scarsdale, N.Y., recounted how, coming out of eighth grade,she was hesitant about her abilities in math and science, but sheended up immersing herself in those subjects more than any others. "I learned to think in a way I never had before," Colford said. "Ifinally realized what it meant to excel in a class, and this wassomething far beyond any grade I could ever learn." Both Colford and her co-valedictorian Claudia Khoury thanked their teachers, particularly math teacher Dr.
KurtMederer, known by students as "Doc," for helping them mastersubjects, but not to consider it the end of the world if they madea mistake. "If I do not ace a test that I've studied hours for, I should beconfident enough to understand that it is not a testament of mymath skills and humble enough to be able to laugh," said Khoury,who lives in Purchase, N.Y. In an interview before the ceremony, senior Krystyna Miles spoke about how she discovered a passion for science and theenvironment through Sacred Heart's science research program. Miles, who plans to study environmental engineering at Dartmouth College , researched water quality by testing samples from a brook inWestport for a year and a half. "Whether it be theater, or photography, or speech and debate,Sacred Heart really encourages its students," said Miles, of NorthSalem, N.Y.
"Sacred Heart encourages each girl to find her ownpassion, and it provides the tools for that awakening to occur." lisa.chamoff@scni.com; 203-625-4439; twitter.com/lchamoff. I am a professional writer from Home Appliances, which contains a great deal of information about panasonic projection televisions , bridge media adapter, welcome to visit!
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