'This Is It' For Council Rock North's Class Of 2011

Council Rock North’s class of 2011 graduated Wednesday during an afternoon ceremony at the school’s Walt Snyder Stadium.

Three student speakers – Michael Tentilucci, Charles Anastasi, and Michael Ng – addressed the 544 members of the graduating class as well as a stadium full of family, friends, and faculty.

Tentilucci, the class president, reflected on the students’ past 13 years attending school together. “This is the last time we’ll ever be together as a class,” he said. “The times we’ve shared over the years have created bonds.”

He urged students to use the support and encouragement from their peers as they enter the next chapter of their lives. “This is it. This is our time to go out and make our mark,” Tentilucci said. “I know that we can and will meet the challenges that lie ahead.”

Anastasi’s speech, entitled “Putting the Call on Hold,” encouraged students to take their time as they navigate the many choices after high school. He equated modern-day life, where everyone is multi-tasking, to an iPhone in which various applications can be utilized at once.

Instead of merely trying to keep up with the constant demands of everyday life, Anastasi advised his peers to stop and ponder what their destiny might be.

“This is a time to uncover our passions, to learn what we want to do with the rest of our lives,” Anastasi said. “Let’s not forget to reflect on how we got to this point.”

The class of 2011 gained valuable knowledge at Council Rock North, Anastasi said. “Do not rush into the next step of your lives without reflecting on what your time at Council Rock has taught you,” he said.

Ng encouraged his peers to live for today. Instead of trying to map out the rest of their careers right now, Ng said, “I advise you to forget the plan and live life right now.”

He also offered this piece of advice to his classmates: “Never let anyone tell you who you are. That is something only you can discover and decide.”

Council Rock School Board member Paul Anagnostakos, whose daughter is a member of the class of 2011, congratulated the graduates.  “You should all be very proud of yourselves,” he said.