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Webutuck grads will leave small community

Amanda J. Purcell
Poughkeepsie Journal

AMENIA - Webutuck High School graduate Russell Boyles received a standing ovation as he crossed the stage to receive his diploma.

It wasn't the diploma, but the walk that earned him the applause.

Eighteen-year-old Boyles, who has struggled with the use of his legs from a very young age, walked the more than 150 feet from the school to the podium.

Dutchess County Sheriff Butch Anderson was at the end of the stage to congratulate him with a hug.

Webutuck High School's Class of 2016 make its way to the ceremony.

In his commencement address to the class of 56 students, Anderson recalled first meeting Boyles when he was 4 years old.

After introducing himself, Boyles bet Anderson that he could walk to him. Anderson asked the boy to prove it.

Letting go of his walker, Boyles walked three steps into Anderson's arms. Impressed, Anderson asked Boyles to do it again. Russell did, but this time he took four steps.

From that moment on, "that young man became a part of my heart and soul," Anderson said. "He became my friend. He loves life. He was determined. And that's what we should all be — determined."

It was moments of triumph like that that would come to define the small, but close-knit class at Webutuck.

Mohamed Zenaty, 18, of Wassaic, and Kenya Blue, 18, of Millerton take a selfie before graduating from the Webutuck Central School District Saturday.
Salutatorian Cassandra Lopane shares fond memories of her classmates at Webutuck Central School District's Class of 2016 Commencement Ceremony Saturday.

Mohamed Zenaty, 18, moved to Wassaic from Egypt his freshman year. He had to learn English, take a full course load and adapt in a small school where many of the students had known each other since Kindergarten. With the help of his English language teacher, he excelled. He also discovered what he wanted to do in life.

"I want to work in human resources," he said. "I am a manager at a gas station, and I like working with and managing people."

As proof of the many friendships he had made in the past four years, Zenaty received a thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd when his name was called.

For many, leaving the small community at Webutuck means leaving best friends behind.

Eighteen- year-old Ruo Nan Huang, valedictorian for the Class of 2016, adjusts her cap before her graduation ceremony Saturday.

Best friends Megan O'Brien and Jennifer Yang will be apart next year for the first time since Kindergarten.

"It's bittersweet," 18-year-old O'Brien said. "I won't get to sneak around and cause trouble with Jenny anymore. I'm the troublemaker, she's the good girl."

Yang, 19, of Millerton will attend Hamilton College in the fall. O'Brien, of Amenia, will live at home and take online courses from Full Sail University and study video game design.

"It's bittersweet," O'Brien said. "But, now we don't have to ask permission to hang out anymore."

Fifty-six students graduated from Webutuck High School Saturday.

Amanda J. Purcell: apurcell@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4807; Twitter: @amandajpurcell

Honors:

Valedictorian: Ruo Nan Huang

Salutatorian: Cassandra Lopane