It took two Wendy’s Baconators and an order of fries to persuade physics teacher Don Lipa to speak at Queensbury High School’s graduation ceremony.
“I contemplated eating the burgers and saying ‘no,’ but I understood some students may someday become businessmen and -women or maybe politicians. They need to know how bribes work and have faith in the bribing process in general,” Lipa said, receiving laughs and applause from the QHS Class of 2024.
During his speech at the Cool Insuring Arena the evening of Friday, June 28, Lipa asked the graduates to rise, turn to their families in the stands, and thank them for supporting them, feeding them, buying them expensive cell phones, buying them again after they broke them, and for loving and caring for them when they were smelly middle schoolers and know-it-all high schoolers.
“As far as pets go, human babies are some of the most expensive and resource-intensive creatures to raise,” he said.
Lipa was one of five speakers to address the 238 Queensbury graduates and the eight International Baccalaureate cooperative service students from other schools who walked in the graduation.
Senior Avery Magee, who was chosen to speak at graduation through a speech contest, talked about playing Sharky on the QES playground, using kickboards in the school pool, and celebrating pajama day with cocoa and popcorn while “The Polar Express” played in their dimly lit classroom.”
“I wish we could go back to a time when our biggest concern was whether or not our class would win Field Day,” Magee said.
Senior Briana Guay, also chosen through the speech contest, reminded her classmates that they spent much of their ninth-grade year during the pandemic learning via Google Meet. She recalled winning the Nordic ski sectionals during her sophomore year, the perfect weather at their junior prom, and the new turf field delivered senior year.
“With college applications and class rankings approaching, there was a giddiness in the air, with the anticipation of moving on to something bigger, but at its core something somber, realizing that we would be leaving something so special behind,” Guay said. “Years from now, I will look back fondly at my time at Queensbury, knowing that it was spent with people that cared for me.”
QHS Principal Andrew Snide reminded the students to think of the accomplishments they have successfully tackled. He urged them to embrace the unknown.
“In those moments of uncertainty, you discovered new passions, forged lifelong friendships, and learned valuable lessons about yourselves,” Snide said. “You have already stepped into the unknown, and look where you are today.”
Superintendent of Schools Kyle Gannon wove into his speech specific memories from students and teachers about the Class of 2024, and he played a portion of Taylor Swift’s “Long Live,” encouraging the graduates to “remember this moment.”
“Don’t forget to savor life’s big moments,” Gannon said. “Job promotions, weddings, your first home, having a baby. Enjoy life to the fullest. Just always remember the old phrase from Queensbury Elementary School. It applies to life. Work hard. Do your best. Achieve your dreams. And remember, it all started at QES.”
Click this link to view a folder of photos from QHS Class of 2024 graduation.