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Wilton High School Graduates Embark On New Journey

WILTON, Conn. — One door closed and another one opened Saturday for the 320 Wilton High School seniors who received their diplomas.

Members of Wilton High School's Class of 2013 throw their caps into the air at the close of Saturday's graduation ceremony.

Members of Wilton High School's Class of 2013 throw their caps into the air at the close of Saturday's graduation ceremony.

Photo Credit: Vanessa Inzitari
Wilton High School Class of 2013 Valedictorian Paige Wallace addresses her classmates during Saturday's graduation ceremony.

Wilton High School Class of 2013 Valedictorian Paige Wallace addresses her classmates during Saturday's graduation ceremony.

Photo Credit: Vanessa Inzitari
Wilton High School Social Studies teacher Don Schels speaks during Saturday's graduation.

Wilton High School Social Studies teacher Don Schels speaks during Saturday's graduation.

Photo Credit: Vanessa Inzitari
Parents, family and friends wave at the graduates during the processional.

Parents, family and friends wave at the graduates during the processional.

Photo Credit: Vanessa Inzitari

Under sunny skies, the graduates gathered on the field of Veterans Memorial Stadium, donning blue and white caps and gowns, and gleaming smiles.

Class Valedictorian Paige Wallace, who will attend Harvard University in the fall, spoke about the importance of learning. Specifically, she encouraged her classmates to be lifelong learners, and not to be afraid of exploring their interests.

“My advice to you, my classmates and friends, is to pick something, or multiple somethings that matter to you, and learn everything you can about it,” Wallace said. “Allow yourself to be curious, to dabble in many different fields.”

She closed her speech with a quote from Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company.

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young forever,” she said. “And I don’t know about you, but I plan to stay young forever.”

The Class of 2013 also heard encouraging words from graduation speaker and Social Studies teacher Don Schels. Schels, the next assistant principal at Wilton High School, was selected as the commencement speaker by the students.

In his remarks, Schels told the graduates to find “soulful goals” throughout their lives.

“You need to select goals that reflect the real you,” he said. “ Pay it forward. Find soulful goals that will marry your happiness to the development of our world. Be vigilant in the cause of your own happiness. Be happy.”

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