“Love yourself.” Those were Joanne Wiedemann’s words of wisdom to student Shelby Cornelius at the Senior to Senior Breakfast in the Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School cafeteria on May 11. Then, after she heard Shelby will enter the nursing program at Columbia Greene Community College in Hudson next year, Wiedemann added this: “Don’t take any crap from doctors.”
For more than two decades the graduating class has invited residents of the Pine Plains Central School District aged 55 and older to share stories over a morning meal, which this year included eggs, bacon, sausages, fruit, bagels and three kinds of muffins. There were 82 residents in attendance, and the 30 students greeted them, served them food and sat at tables to talk.
“Students are showing their appreciation, to their loved ones who helped them in their lives so far, and to the community.” said Carol Stracher, the senior class co-adviser. “They understand that the school budget that includes everything from computers to the highly regarded cafeteria staff and food is there because the taxpayers in this district voted for it. This is one way to give back to the community.”
Neighbors and current classmates Vinnie Scaffidi and Autumn Prezzano chatted with Autumn’s grandmother, Susan Prezzano. Vinnie is going to Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie and has his sights set on the motorcycle mechanics program at the Universal Technical Institute in Orlando. Autumn will attend Cornell University, plans to study biology and wants to become a physician’s assistant.
“Considering all they got up to as kids, I can’t believe they’ve made it this far, ” Susan Prezzano said. “I’m so proud of both of them.”