TRR photo by Tom Kane The 2001 Honesdale graduates posed for a class picture before the ceremony. (Click for larger image)

220 graduate from Honesdale

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE — Honesdale High School graduated 220 seniors at a ceremony in the Middle School auditorium last Friday evening.

The heat didn’t repress the elation of the graduates, many of whom are eager to begin their college careers.

Valedictorian Nicholas Penwarden will go the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to study computer science.

“I’m excited about leaving and starting college,” he said. Penwarden said he does not plan to return to the area after college. “I want to be near a large city,” he said.

Salutatorian Sandra VanBlarcom said, “I’m going to the University of Scranton to study Elementary Education.” Eventually, VanBlarcom said she would like to work in a local school.

In addition to VanBlarcom and Penwarden, students were addressed by fellow graduates Joshua Livingston and Marie Sullivan. There was no keynote speaker. The senior chorus sang “Dare To Dream” which was arranged by Tenna Chinn. An instrumental interlude was played by Kristin Lowenstein, flute, Heather Harris, clarinet and Rachel Macey, contra-bass clarinet. They played Gustav Holst’s “Song Without Words.”

School Superintendent Paul Edwards addressed the graduates before the presentation of diplomas. The senior chorus sang “Alma Mater” to end the festivities.