Sherman Central School Class Valedictorian Faith Redlecki speaks during commencement Friday. Photo by David Prenatt

-SHERMAN — No matter what path one may follow in life, one should always strive to be kind, above all else, graduating seniors at Sherman Central High School were told at their commencement Friday.

Former Sherman student, Scott Jordan, whose life journey led him to Delta Airlines where he is now the director of New York sales, offered Sherman seniors two fundamental lessons and one practical piece of advice during his keynote speech at the commencement.

“Be kind. It’s easy to say, but not always easy to do,” Jordan said. “Kindness radiates and permeates like nothing else.”

Jordan noted that people are often afraid to be kind, thinking that others will take advantage of them. “Kindness is not being weak or letting others walk all over you,” Jordan said. “It’s recognizing the place of others in this world as equal to your own.”

The second fundamental lesson that Jordan offered to seniors was not to be afraid to ask for help. “I cannot emphasize that enough,” he said.

Jordan said that there are many moments in life, for example going to college or beginning a new job, when individuals might feel very unsure of themselves. “Maybe you might not know where to turn for help, or maybe you might be embarrassed to ask,” he said. “You will have to take responsibility to find help. If you keep asking, I guarantee, you will succeed.”

Finally, Jordan gave seniors a piece of practical advice: “Put your phones down,” he said. “Don’t post angry and don’t post anything that you wouldn’t show your parents.”

Sherman Principal Bryna Booth, who delivered opening remarks at the commencement ceremony, reminded the graduates that, as fourth-graders, they were her first class at Sherman Central School. “Since you were 9 years old, I’ve expected a lot from you,” Booth said. “Now I see adults who have grit and tenacity.”

Timothy Sears delivered a message to the graduates on behalf of the board of education, telling the Class of 2019 that “you get to determine how you will approach and react to the challenges of tomorrow.”

Tomorrow means joy and sorrow, success and failure, Sears said. “I, for one, can’t wait to see what your tomorrow holds,” he added.

Class Valedictorian Faith Redlecki told her fellow students to always be open to change. “The passage of time is inevitable and the changes that come with it are not the end of the world,” she said.

Redlecki emphasized that, as time passes, the closeness her classmates feel now will fade. “Our phones could become graveyards of the people we used to know. Or they could become new gardens of friends and family,” she said. “Despite the time that will pass and the closeness we’ll lose, it will be okay.”

Class Salutatorian Rowan Fisher encouraged her classmates to be confident. “There are two attitudes you can adopt: I hope to succeed or I will succeed,” Fisher said.

Prior to the presentation of diplomas, Superintendent Michael Ginestre addressed the graduates, telling them not to fear the future. Ginestre told the young adults that the foundation they got from Sherman Central School will enable them to demonstrate confidence.