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Several weeks back on our radio program, "Meet the New Press", we interviewed a recent grad from Laconia High School (NH) involved in a mini-flap over a speech given at her graduation ceremony. (click here to listen to the podcast— approx 11mins. long) Brittney Hamilton, a self-admitted conservative (which, at 18 years old is rather unique) wrote a letter that appeared in several local newspapers. The commencement address was given by the outgoing school librarian, also a member of the Lakes Peace and Justice Group, host of the weekly peace protest in downtown Laconia. As you might imagine, it was this influence that appeared in her speech to the graduating class. This caused several people to pen letters for the local papers stating their displeasure, including Brittany. (Click here to read the story that appeared in the Citizen back at graduation time. It alludes to the speech and notes Ms. Stuart’s peacenik affiliation within the story.)
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This is what she wrote:
I am a graduate of the Class of 2007 from Laconia high school. I was president of the National Technical Honor Society and Health Occupations Students of America. I am proud to say that I accomplished many great things while at Laconia High. On the long-awaited and much-deserved day of graduation I was looking forward to a memorable day of commencement festivities..The day of June 9th, 2007, was about US! This day was about our valedictorian and his very thoughtful and original speech. It was about the accomplishments of all of the members of the Class of 2007 whether it was for sports, art, musical talent, or simply because those graduating had applied themselves and stuck with us to make it to the day of graduation. I can honestly say to the Class of 2007 that I am very proud of all of you and honored to call you my classmates. This day was about each and every one of us walking across that red and white theme stage to receive our diploma that we all worked very hard for..This day was ruined for us and for that I apologize to the class of 2007 because obviously we are not going to receive any form of an apology from Ruth Stuart, the woman we called our librarian for four years. Mrs. Stuart’s commencement address was an absolute embarrassment. As soon as I heard her speech begin to turn from inspiring to political personal agenda I was astonished at her audacity to put the Class of 2007 in the position she did. I was dreading returning to the arms of my family waiting in the audience to congratulate me because I knew they would feel the same way I did and I knew there would be one heck of an uproar..