Under a cloudy sky on Saturday, ConVal Regional High School valedictorian Nathan Klonel took his class back to grade school, reading his class and their assembled guests a story from Arnold Lobel’s classic children’s books, “Frog and Toad.”

Specifically, Klonel read “The Garden,” from the “Frog and Toad Together” collection.

“When I started writing this speech, I went through many drafts, struggling to find something that felt like me. I felt pressure to say something profound, yet I couldn’t think of a single thing meaningful enough for this moment,” Klonel said. “But if I’ve learned anything over the past four years of classes, clubs, work and sports, it’s that serious things can benefit from a touch of unseriousness.”

In the tale, Frog gifts Toad some seeds, after Toad admires Frog’s garden, letting him know with some hard work, he, too, can enjoy a garden. Toad begins his gardening adventure by trying to berate his seeds into growth, but after some guidance from Frog, instead tries reading stories, singing and reciting poetry until they sprout.

“Thirteen years ago, with the help of parents, teachers and friends, we each planted our gardens. Walking into the first day of kindergarten, we began the hard work of coaxing them to grow,” Klonel said. “Today, as we look around, we see the beautiful garden we have cultivated, each unique and flourishing. As we embark on new adventures, maybe we can carry the lessons of Frog and Toad with us. Be patient, be persistent, and most of all, take joy in the process. Here’s to all the future gardens we will grow.”

Principal Heather McKillop also used a prop in her farewell speech to the class – a commemorative “ConVal 2024” pillow that she purchased at a craft fair in the class’ sophomore year, her first year as principal, with the names of the prospective graduates stitched on the back. She said she initially hesitated to purchase it, because it commemorated a specific class, but then said she realized the significance of this class.

“I realized the shared experience and the journey we were about to undertake together. This pillow, with our graduating class’s names, all of them, stitched on the back of it, has been a constant reminder of all the individuals and the incredible resiliency of this class,” McKillop said. “Metaphorically, it has supported me. As a pillow, it has been behind me on my desk chair for the past three years, as I along with my dedicated team has worked to support you.”

The welcome speaker for the class, Gabrielle Ramsden, also thanked the people in her life that had helped shape her and make her grow, including her parents for instilling the values of independence, hard work and finding joy in the little things.

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“All of us have people who have shaped us, today, take a moment to thank them. This may be our graduation, but it’s a big moment for the people in our lives. Class of 2024, be ready to take on the future, but, please, moving forward, don’t let go of our past,” Ramsden said. “Our preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school and high school have all held typical moments of self-growth and have given us strong foundations to lean on. Take today to remember and reflect.”

One of the class’ two salutatorians,  Liza Petrov, reminded her class that there is no one path to success, and they don’t need to know right now what the future holds.

“As we all work to build the lives we want to lead, we must realize that time will pass us by quicker than we can ever expect. Don’t hesitate to try out a new hobby, change your career trajectory, travel the world or do something as simple as trying a dish you haven’t tried before,” Petrov said. “Try to not put all of these things on the back burner, but if you do, know the Chinese proverb: ‘The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.’”

Class speaker Lucy Jackson agreed that whether or not students knew what their next step was, they have plenty of time to figure it out.

“Some of us may have a clear-cut plan for what we want to do in the future, while some of us have no idea. The beauty of that is that you don’t need to know,” Jackson said. “I hope you don’t feel the pressure to have to know. Whether you will be going into the workforce, going into college or any other plan, I believe all of us have the will to succeed in every adventure and endeavor we choose.”

The class’ second salutatorian, Emma Rodenhiser, said she has been replying “I’m not sure yet,” every time she’s been asked about her future. She said that one of the lessons learned from her four years in high school is that time can go too fast, and to appreciate the moments while they linger.

“Time has taught me two lessons over the past four years. The first one is that if you are always thinking of what’s going to happen next, you are missing the little moments that you might appreciate later,” Rodenhiser said. That leads to the second lesson – your time and your memories are a blessing.” 

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.