Education
DHS graduation march

DHS Graduates Celebrate Culmination of High School and Commencement of the Rest of Life

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Darien High School’s 2021 graduation ceremony combined congratulations on getting through high school during the COVID-19 pandemic with the regular high school graduation themes — life advice, thankful appreciation and assurance that the graduates have what it takes to succeed in the future. The 321 graduating seniors had a sunny late spring day and blue sky to accompany speeches filled with hope and optimism. In a speech that focused on gratitude, Valedictorian Eleanor Chase offered the audience a cookbook-like “list of ingredients you’ll need to make a high school graduate,” including “one awkward fourteen year old,” 30 teachers, two bus drivers and a supportive family. “Put the 14-year-old in a brick building for four years at approximately 70 degrees: decorate with cap and gown.” She added: “But, between all the congratulations and cords and handshakes of today, I hope we all remember everything else on that ingredient list.”

Darien High School 2020-2021
DHS Graduation speeches Eleanor Chase James Strong

Graduation Speeches from DHS Valedictorian Eleanor Chase and Salutatorian James Strong

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Here are the full texts of the speeches boy Valedictorian Eleanor Chase and Salutatorian James Strong speeches, as prepared, at Darien High School’s Wednesday graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2021:

The speeches were provided by Darien High School. At the bottom of this article, you can watch the full graduation ceremony video from DAF Media.)
Valedictorian Elanor Chase
The recipe for a high school graduate isn’t easy to pull off, but with a lot of time, a lot of love, and an ungodly amount of patience, it can be done. I’ve assembled a list of ingredients you’ll need to make a high school graduate:

● 1 awkward fourteen year old
● 30 teachers
● 10 administrators
● A dedicated maintenance staff
● 2 bus drivers
● a dozen friends, and
● 1 supportive family

Put the 14-year-old in a brick building for four years at approximately 70 degrees: decorate with cap and gown. Making a high school graduate is often seen as a singular feat of achievement for the graduate. I mean, going from that awkward 14-year-old who can’t even tell the difference between the B wing and the F wing, and is too embarrassed to even ask directions until they’re completely lost and on the brink of tears, to an almost fully-functional adult?

Darien High School 2020-2021
DHS Graduation 2021

Going to Darien High’s Graduation Today? Police Have These Traffic and Parking Regulations

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The Darien Police Department advises that the following traffic regulations are being put into effect for the area surrounding Darien High School on Wednesday June 16, starting at 4 p.m.
 — an announcement from Darien police
—As in previous years, all traffic will enter the high school grounds via Noroton Avenue.  Vehicular traffic will not be permitted to enter the area via High School Lane or Nutmeg Lane. Officers will be present to direct all vehicles to appropriate and designated parking areas. —All vehicles will be properly parked so as to facilitate and expedite the safe flow of vehicles at the conclusion of the graduation ceremony. —If needed, vehicles will be parked on both sides of Nutmeg Lane and High School Lane facing away from Darien High School. —Motorists are asked to pay particular attention to posted “No Parking” areas.  Previous experiences have resulted in illegally parked vehicles blocking driveways or restricting access to emergency vehicles.