New Canaan High School Class of 2025 Graduates [VIDEO]

The most important personal critique ever received by Matthew Quinn, an educator for 25 years including 13 teaching English in New Canaan, came from a complete stranger.

Quinn was just two weeks away from graduating from college when an old man struck up a conversation with him on the Metro in Washington, D.C. Asked about his plans, Quinn proudly told the man that he would become a high school English teacher.

But when the man pressed Quinn for his thoughts on John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” or Ernest Hemingway, T.S. Eliot or James Joyce, he tried to be evasive.

“ ‘What’s your problem?’ I thought,” Quinn recalled Monday morning, addressing thousands of local families gathered at Dunning Stadium for the New Canaan High School class of 2025 graduation. “Simply congratulate me on my altruistic choice of professions and go on your way.”

But the man didn’t, Quinn recalled during his keynote address as commencement speaker. Instead, he said: “You want to teach, but you don’t know anything.”

Though it took a while, “I came to see the truth of what he said,” Quinn recalled, addressing the packed stands on a comfortably cool, gray day. 

He continued: “Though I believed that stories were transformative, I wasn’t giving them a real chance to transform me. Eventually, I had a realization: I was a fraud. I hadn’t done the reading and thinking that my field required. I had been more interested in sports and friends and college foolishness than refining and pursuing my academic interests. And now I would teach? What arrogance, what audacity, to think that I, at 22 and a fresh college graduate, knew enough to teach anyone anything. I kept thinking back to that old man, and in my more speculative moments, I imagined that he was my future self, come back to shame me into activity. As I had created this problem, so did I have the power to fix it.”

To fix it, he committed to reading and re-reading extensively, developing new understandings “of people, of my family, my students, of total strangers—but most importantly, of myself.”

“I became more patient, less rigid,” he said. “I began to understand people’s perspectives and limitations. I began to see my limitations.”

Quinn urged the students to always be authentic and to give themselves entirely to something they feel is worthy of their time and attention. He also told them that though their formal schooling will one day end, “your learning should be ongoing.”

“At their best, high school and college are giving you the tools to start your education,” he said. “The papers, the classes, the concern for credits – all of that will come to an end. My hope is that your education never will. I wish I could thank that anonymous gentleman on the metro. If he were here, and maybe he is, I’d tell him that I have read Paradise Lost, all of it, twice, and I understand and appreciate Milton a lot more now. And I still think he was showing off.”

The approximately two-hour ceremony featured a processional of “Pomp and Circumstance,” welcome from Class of 2025 Administrator Ari Rothman, “The Star-Spangled Banner” performed by the NCHS Saxophone Ensemble, Pledge of Allegiance led by Student Coalition President Susanna Rittenberry, comments from First Selectman Dionna Carlson, NCHS Principal Bill Egan, “Here Comes the Sun” performed by the NCHS Chamber Orchestra, “Moments of Reflection” comments from graduating seniors Chase Maggio, Samantha Plosker, Claire Parelli and Lucas WIlliams, an introduction of Quinn by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi, introduction of the Class of 2025 by Board of Education Chair Hugo Alves, “An Irish Blessing” performed by the NCHS Choral Program and a recessional of “From Lambs To Rams: A Tribute to the Class of 2025,” composed by Andrew Mank and Jacob Robertson.

In her remarks, Carlson congratulated the graduates, noting that they persevered through difficult times including the COVID-19 pandemic. She also reminded them of their good fortune in being raised and educated “in a community that values learning, leadership and integrity,” features one of the very best high schools in the nation.

“That good fortune is a foundation, but it’s also a call to action,” Carlson said. “What you do with the advantages you’ve been given is what truly defines you. Whether you’re heading to college, the workforce, the military, or forging your own path, I encourage you to lead with service. Use your education, your experiences, and your voice to lift others up. Find ways to give back. Find places to make things better.”

New Canaan has invested in each graduate not just as a student but as a future contributor to society, Carlson said.

“We’ve prepared you to lead with purpose, to think critically, and to act with empathy,” she said. “These are the qualities that build strong communities and change lives. So, as you go out into the world, remember where you came from. Remember the values instilled in you here. And when the time comes, whether it’s next year or 20 years from now, look for ways to serve. Mentor someone. Support a cause. Help shape a community. And maybe someday, come back home and lead.”

Egan noted the retirements of Sandy Warkentin, school psychologist, Ann Vernon, school counselor, Donna Kemp, science teacher, Kimanne Core, art teacher and Paul Reid, AP Physics teacher

“Please join me in applauding these extraordinary educators,” Egan said. “We thank them for all they’ve given and wish them joy, health, and adventure in the years ahead.”

Addressing the parents on hand, Egan said that though NCHS graduation feels like “the end of a special chapter,” It’s also “the beginning of something new and extraordinary.”

He added: “They’ll still need you—they’ll always need you. The real journey begins now. You’ll get to watch them grow into adults, cheering them on as they navigate life and make their mark on the world. And if you’re like me, you’ll find joy in sending them a little ‘walking around money’ as they step into this next chapter—whether on a college campus, in the military, or wherever life leads them. Congratulations on this milestone, parents. You’ve done an incredible job, and your children are ready to soar.”

In addition to introducing Quinn, Luizzi addressed the graduating class, saying they’ve “grown tremendously.”

“And I say with pride, and with the highest admiration and aspirations for each of you: You are extremely well prepared for what lies ahead,” Luizzi continued. “The knowledge, skills, and relationships you’ve developed have set you up beautifully for your next journey. You have not just succeeded here in NewCanaan—you’ve excelled, you’ve thrived—and you’ve added your legacy to our school and community.”

Alves called the NCHS teachers “the soul of this school.”

“With insight and commitment, you’ve nurtured not just academic excellence but character and resilience,” he said. “Your influence will guide these young adults for years to come, and we honor your remarkable work.”

Here are excerpts from the “Moments of Reflection” from NCHS seniors:

Maggio: “Let’s be honest, high school changed us. Whether we liked it or not. We came in as deer in the headlights who got lost trying to find our classes, and now we’re leaving as seniors—who are still late to class. But at least now we’re late with confidence. But change isn’t just something that happened to us. It’s something we’ve learned to accept. To adapt to. Even to embrace. And nowhere is that more obvious than our school parking lot. You know what I’m talking about: That new bump they added this past year to slow everyone down. At first, it felt unnecessary. And honestly, kind of annoying. I’m pretty sure a few of us even caught air over it the first week. It was like a surprise launch. A few people texted me, ‘Did you feel that?’ Yes, We all did. But eventually, we started to expect it. We started to notice it, adjust for it, and yes, slow down. The thing is, that bump wasn’t just there to mess with our suspensions. It had a purpose: to make us pause, to keep us safe, and to remind us to pay attention. That bump? It’s basically a metaphor for life. Change is rarely convenient. It usually shows up at the worst time, throws off your plans, and forces you to adapt whether you want to or not. But sometimes, being forced to slow down is exactly what we need. It helps us pay attention, reset, and figure out what actually matters.”

Plosker: “My favorite part about NCHS is the sense of community—within classrooms, on teams, and in clubs. Teammates bonded over wins and losses. Classmates came together through late-night study sessions or working through that impossible lab. Through it all, we looked out for each other- and that, more than anything, is what made this experience meaningful. The heart of NCHS, though, is its teachers. They are our biggest supporters—in and beyond the classroom. Ms. [April] Kish opened her doors to me at lunch. Mr. [Michael] Miceli cheered on his students at performances. Madame [Mary Louise] Chillington and Prof [Xiomara] Brea made time for us no matter the hour. Their dedication, and that of so many others, has inspired me to pursue a future where I’m just as passionate about what I do. I know I’m not alone in feeling that way.”

Parelli: “Hard work always leaves a mark—and we’ve never been afraid of that. In elementary school, sitting in the back of our classrooms, selling rainbow loom bracelets like we had bills to pay we were already pretending to be adults. In middle school, we carried around hot chocolate like it was coffee and pretended we were texting in ‘group chats’ on Google Docs pages in class. When high school came, it suddenly wasn’t pretend anymore. Google Docs turned into messages, our fake coffee turned into energy drinks. The stakes were higher. And those pretend professions we dreamed up in elementary school have turned into college majors, career paths, and ways to pay our future bills, because let’s be honest, those rainbow loom sales aren’t going to cut it. We stopped wishing to grow up because somewhere along the lines we had. We didn’t notice it happening—growing up wasn’t one big moment, but a series of small, messy, unforgettable ones that made us who we are. The diplomas on that table say we have learned everything we need to go into the world. If any of you are feeling the way I am right now, you are probably terrified. But even if we’re not quite ready, we have done the work or well most of it and googled the rest. And honestly, that counts for something. As we leave here today, remember: If you come home clean, you didn’t have fun. Go out there. Get messy. Make memories. Make them count.”

Williams: “We sit here at graduation and a crossroad. Our paths will soon diverge: some near, some far, some still unknown. This realization set in about a month ago, where a lot of us adopted a new mindset: ‘Why not just go for it? We’re leaving soon anyway.’ Say something bold. Try something new. Reach out. Take that risk. It took us four years to get to this point—but now that we’re here, why let it go? I want to implore you all to keep that energy moving forwards. Life’s about to change in big ways. New people. New places. A new life and a chance to reinvent yourself. There will be tough times, but there will also be countless opportunities to make memories and relationships that will last a lifetime. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to do something. People waste their whole lives waiting for things that never come. Just do it. Don’t let others tell you you’re not ready, because no one ever is. And finally, don’t let anyone else tell you who you are; it’s your story to write. In front of me sit future business leaders, engineers, doctors, teachers, artists, and whatever else society needs. Each person here has the capacity to leave their mark on the world. It’s up to you to choose how. And one final note, to the future millionaires in these seats, and current ones in the stands, connect with me on LinkedIn. My name is Lucas Williams.”