Wagner's Graduation Ode to Class of 2011

A Poetic Tribute to The MVS Class of 2011
Graduation Exercises: 7:PM, 9 June at Victoria Theater

Greetings scholars, parents, faculty, and guests
To MVS Commencement, designating time’s beginnings & rests.
Gathered in Dayton’s Victoria, for this exciting event
I extend a sincere welcome, and I am honored to present

An homage to our Seniors, I stand before you as scribe,
Their awesomeness, in which we take immense pride.
A rich blend of personalities; mixing of sugars and spice.
This class is so great, it is #1 . . . Twice.

The MVS faculty, seated in rows right up-front,
So proud to have shared class-room spaces.
On this Thursday evening, the ninth day-of-June,
They beam with smiles a-glow on their faces.

Looking deeper in the rows; I see family smiles.
Radiating satisfaction of accomplishments won.
Friends & guests, traveling from distances a-far
Faces shining brighter than that of the sun.

As writer and poet, I’ve earned dubious acclaim;
In truth, occasionally my rhyming is, a bit lame.
Sentiment a-side, I’ll try not to ramble too long
In reflecting their traits and to whom they belong.

Thus, with gathered resolve, I humbly commence.
Modestly, a simple cobbler of meaning.
Hoping to do justice to those in spot-light,
Our stars of this festive evening.


Leading off, our first is KATIE ADIB;
A leading-force on Brenna’s softball squad.
BADGLEY conjures songs with sultry smooth tone
For which soon, we will all applaud.

At ease on dramatic & musical stage,
JOELY is known to fashion beatnik attire.
NATE’s strength, during each of three seasons,
From golf, basketball, or tennis, he could retire.

STEPHANIE, akin to famed Yo-Yo Ma,
Crafts melodious notes on the cello.
Many a-chat have KORINNE & I shared
On topics deep, yet always, in tone mellow.

LIBBI’s arrangements, while hidden back-stage,
Assures smooth scenes of drama productions grand.
KETA’s long-jump has so distant become
At Dartmouth, next she will land.

Following sibling paths of Romina & Leo,
FERNANDA recently caught a bad case of “Bieber fever.”
CAUGHEY’s obvious grounding in Green Club ideals
She served also as orphaned-squirrel feeder.

LAUREL’s swift and fleet-footed skill;
About which she’s researched and knows very much.
To advance his study of basketball flair,
BOB traveled to the land of the Dutch.

Her dad, soon to confer our Diplomas,
CAROLINE’s middle name ‘Grace’ is not a far jump.
CHAORAN heads South to attend Alabama,
Alma Mater of the Forrest Gump.

Cultivated in proud Yellow Springs soil,
Bastion of peace-nics & organic gardens.
HOLLISTER & PORTER, eclectic they are,
In musical skill, require few pardons.

CLAIRE’s talent as writer exemplar
Trains her eye as a true “photo bug” resident.
MARY, in fact, shares her last name
With the first of our first American President.

Polite, witty, and clean-cut WALTER
With a Major General, he shares his name.
RAY regales verses of epic blitz-chess,
Poet Laureate of the Commons is his claim.

ZHENGHANG I first graciously met
In China’s lush province of Suzhou.
AMRITA, skilled wearing rhythmic tap-shoes,
Future as physician is destined, you know.

MATTHEW, traveled during Junior Immersion,
To historic land of Ataturk.
SOPHIA has appetite for topics science and math,
About which, she’s unabashedly berserk.

CIERRA, recipient of famed Sharron Jackson prize,
Poised leader, when excited, she tends-to-talk-faster.
KAILEY better known as our ‘Double-K’
Has yet to find a sport she cannot master.

MAYA’s technique as dancer-choreographer,
She has trained with Alvin Ailey’s Company.
As rumored leader of secret Improv group,
TORI’s rule of epic flash-mob was un-canny.

Guitar virtuoso, MAXWELL quickly became known
With in weeks of his arrival, two years hence.
JOHNNY, though regarded as sharing traits a panda,
In discussions, he thrives beyond recompense.

KATHLEEN, inspiration for MVS cheer-squad
She serves as organizer, leader, and coach.
TARA, in addition to handling “the twins”
Her leadership is be-yond any reproach.

The mystery behind VEERAL’s beguiling smile:
He’s the alias of masked super-hero, “The Bird!”
JEFF middle of legendary Paul brothers,
Of which, he fulfills a full third.

For those keeping count, we’ve crossed the half-way
Class of 2011, worthy of applause a-thunder.
MICHAEL departs for famed Notre Dame
On exotic campus, in the land of Down Under.

CAITLIN spent a year studying abroad;
We cried for her when she traveled to Argentina.
CAMERON’s unmatched self-less skill on the field
Will play soccer wearing Princeton-orange patina.

ELLEN’s compassionate instinct is beyond compare,
As ‘Ford, she’ll join famed ranks of “Black Squirrels.”
COREY’s manner comes from unique parental balance:
Mom a Reverend; Dad known for ref quarrels.

JYOTSNA & AURIEL, both thoroughly involved,
In diverse activities, always with aplomb.
A special bond in common they share
Both join sisters, as MVS Alums.

KHAYLA & I once greeted Obama together,
Last term, we reunited in Great Books.
VALERIYA brought to us international appeal
Her names: cool to pronounce, though perplex in looks.

Known most-commonly as “Suth,”
MATT once dressed as twin of Mr. Squiers.
After SUNEAL’s brief sojourn “out East,”
To become next Warren Buffet, he a-spires.

ELLIOT, the soul of cross-country and track squads
He exclusively can call his coach, “dear Father.”
For KIERA, volunteering with youth of all-ages
Through 4-H, to her, is no bother.

As if graduates departing were not sad enough,
SARAH & ALEX’s bright future plans.
Graduating, along with these two,
Are the last of WORKMAN and ZORNIGER clans.


If my math be correct, that makes 49 strong;
Right on the cusp of the half-century mark.
Profuse accolades collectively they have won,
Into larger world, they soon will embark.

So distinctive you look, formally seated on stage
Poised at cross-roads of college & high school.
Beyond your deeds, present & future,
As group, candidly, you’re really quite cool.

Be it as your Principal, English Teacher, or loyal-est of fans
Pride inside me wells at your sight.
Envisioning your exciting, audacious bright futures
And celebrations lasting into this night.

In closing my verse, more epic in jolts than in skill
Lines varying from dips, gaps, and lags,
Know that my intent is honestly derived;
Genuine sentiment from the one you call “Wags.”

Parents, teachers, family & guests, please join with me now:
In adulation for our graduates on stage.
In sending them off, with abundant acclaim
Our hopes, when returning, will be all-the-rage.

The praise from your audience, us seated before you,
Planning celebrations long into June.
Some final words, to recall this festive night,
God’s Speed, Best of luck, And visit soon!

Thank you


Samuel Wagner, V
Head of Upper School
Thursday, 9 June, 2011