Graduation Speeches
Last month’s Livingston High School graduation ceremony was a wonderful, momentous occasion, as it always is. The weather held up nicely, and friends and family filled the stands to watch over 500 students receive their high school diplomas. It was nearly perfect, save for one problem: the Class of 2023 salutatorian was barred from giving a speech. The reason for this decision was a years-ago change in the student handbook that finally took effect this year (actually, it began last year, but there were co-valedictorians in 2022). That’s right, this worthy student was denied the ability to address her peers, as salutatorians have historically done for years, due to what amounted to fine print in the district’s terms and conditions.
In the salutatorian’s place was a student speaker, selected by the administration from submissions to represent all that LHS students embody, not simply the highest grades. We feel that having a student speaker, in addition to those who finish at the top of their class, is a wonderful idea. It is certainly worthwhile to highlight the multitude of ways in which our students shine. But why does that have to take away from the salutatorian? Why is this an “either-or” scenario? What are we really talking about here? Are we that concerned with a three minute speech tacked onto an already two-and-a-half hour long ceremony?
Ahead of last month’s ceremony, Board of Education president Vineeta Khanna offered to forego her own speech, in order to permit time for the salutatorian to talk to her fellow students. So, if the issue is really about time, about saving a few minutes, then doing that seems like a fine solution moving forward. Because, let’s be honest, students primarily want to hear from their peers. And, remember, that this is who this ceremony is truly for – the students. In addition to the valedictorian and the student speaker, the Livingston High School principal, the district superintendent, and, as was previously mentioned, the Board of Education president all gave speeches. Do you think students wanted to hear from any of them more than they did one of their classmates?
The decision to remove the salutatorian’s speech seems like it was a solution in search of a problem. Luckily, remedying this issue in the future is common sense and easy to do: have the valedictorian, salutatorian, and a student speaker all give speeches in future ceremonies. Let us not overthink this – which, unfortunately, happened this year, denying a worthy student her moment to shine in the process – and change the policy in time for the Class of 2024’s graduation next year.
Pride Banner
Last week, a Pride banner that was hanging at the corner of South Livingston Avenue and Northfield Road in celebration of June’s Pride month was slashed – on two separate occasions.
The banner was quickly repaired, security cameras were installed, and the incident was reported as a bias crime. In addition, many in the Livingston community, from Mayor Michael Vieira to residents on Facebook, several of them parents of LGBTQ+ children, spoke out to express their disappointment about what happened, as well as their support for the town’s LGBTQ+ community.
We at the Tribune would like to do the same. Livingston prides itself on being an open and welcoming community. And for most people, and most of the time, it is just that. But we cannot pretend that we reside in a perfect town where nothing bad or hateful occurs, because we have seen – several times over in recent years – that this is simply not the case.
Over the past few years, Livingston has dealt with racist, anti-Semitic, xenophobic, and, yes, homophobic and transphobic incidents such as the destruction of that banner. It may be stating the obvious, but sometimes it is necessary to make it clear that these things are unacceptable. These incidents are evidence that we, as a society and within our small pocket of the world, still have much work left to do to make Livingston a safe space for all.
For this community’s LGBTQ+ children, signs of support such as a Pride banner can make a huge difference. At such a vulnerable time of life, instead of feeling “othered,” it can provide a tangible example that they are accepted and have a home in Livingston, where such a banner is displayed prominently and proudly. Conversely, seeing those symbols of support vandalized might have the opposite effect, which is why it is so important to speak out when something like what happened with the Pride banner occurs. For every bad actor, these young people should know that they are greatly outnumbered by those in the community who offer their unwavering support.
The actions of the individual or individuals who tried to tear down that symbol of love and acceptance is not okay. We condemn these actions and hope those involved are found and held accountable.
As Pride month comes to a close, let us not forget that, banner and Pride flag at Town Hall or not, our LGBTQ+ youth community still needs and deserves our love and support. Together, we can work to ensure that hateful incidents to minority groups no longer occur in Livingston.
