'Small but mighty' NHS class of 2022

NORWALK — "Small in numbers, but they are mighty." Norwalk High School Principal Patrick Kania made note that the 2022 class of 169 students more than made up for small numbers with big successes. And all he had to do was point to valedictorian Luke Brown. Brown's story will go down as one of the most memorable in the 162 years of graduation classes at NHS. "As many of you know, my journey was not easy," Brown said Saturday night in front of a packed house at Contractors Stadium on a beautiful summer night. "When I was young, I was diagnosed with autism,"he said. "I had a severe speech impediment and a developmental delay. It was hard for me to react properly to jokes and sarcasm and maintain self-control. That did not stop me from working hard to make my goals a reality, and look at me now. I transformed myself from a shy, introverted child that is defined by autism to an outgoing man that people can look up to. "NOTHING, and I mean nothing, is impossible with dedication and determination," Brown continued. "With the drive to achieve your dreams and the dedication to stick it out and work for them, anything is possible." Brown entertained the crowd with his passionate speech. "As Mr. Kania noted, throughout our high school careers, we have one of three options: to attend post-secondary education, apply to the workforce, or join the military. I do not know about all of you, but I am excited yet terrified to enter the transition from high school to adulthood. I am excited because there is so much opportunity out there to make the Class of 2022 known, whether it may be through a future job, at college, or in the military." Brown also said he was excited for he and his classmates to become independents. "However, those same facts also make me petrified," he said. "Even though I will become independent, every decision that I make will be my sole responsibility. In the same way, those future opportunities that we now have are competitive to get and nerve-wracking to think about. "Let's not fret too much, though," Brown said. "If there is anything I have learned from high school, I have learned four virtues that we should have if we want to be employable, competitive, and successful as we transition into a new stage of life. Those virtues are courage, dedication, determination, and authenticity." Superintendent Brad Cooley has a special bond with this class. He spent three years as their principal — the first as freshman and the next two battling COVID — and the last as superintendent. He took time to talk about the students, but also the people who got them through their high school careers. He talked about a "Special team .. a team of 317 individuals (teachers, support staff and custodians). It is my hope that each of you has fond memories with how a handful of those 317 made life better for you." Class president Isabelle Borgeson opened the night with her inspirational comments. "Tomorrow we are all starting a new chapter and that means we can do anything," she said. "Don't be afraid to make this next chapter one of the best and most exciting ones of your life story. We are all destined to do great things no matter how big or small. I hope that the next part of your story is everything you want it to be." Salutatorian Lana Oglesby challenged her classmates to be proud. "In our generation of speed and short-attention, we forget that all the tiny things we've been doing in high school have taught us several skills that we will use for the rest of our lives. "Whether you want to stay in Norwalk to pursue your dreams, or move thousands of miles away, stay true to yourself. I will never get to see all of us together like this again. "So, I challenge you starting today, to show off the things you're proud of. Bring your strengths out into the world and wear them with pride, because I know us, and we are going to be just fine." Class officers this year were Borgeson (president), Brendon Yang (vice-president), Brown (secretary) and Oglesby (treasurer). The class motto was "Keep on Truckin," the class flower was a white carnation and class colors were baby blue and navy.