By Joseph Edgerton
Staff Writer

Molly Heuss, center, of Hooksett looks toward the audience during West High School graduation ceremony for the Class of 2006 on Wednesday, June 21. (The Hooksett Banner/Ginger Kozlowski)

A barrage of beach balls notwithstanding, few, if any, distractions could prevent the 494 members of the Manchester West High School Class of 2006 from looking to the future.

The graduates filed into the Verizon Wireless Arena on Wednesday, June 21, as family members and friends cheered them on from the packed seats.

Class President David Caban of Bedford was the first speaker and urged his fellow graduates to cultivate the wisdom within.

“This is the time to test our freshly honed skills,”said Caban, who will attend Northwestern University to major in political science. “By being able to focus efforts on our strengths while being aware of our weaknesses, our chances to succeed increase exponentially.”

Caban hails from a family of doctors, and recalled being asked time and time again if he would one day take over the family practice.

“I hate science and I find the thought of biology nauseating,” he said. “We cannot be what others perceive us to be. We must be ourselves.”

Refraining from drawing on the stock quotes that only too often find their way into graduation speeches, Caban told his classmates to be themselves while experiencing the perspectives of others.

“One cannot judge the world until they have seen it through another man’s eyes,” he said. “Life is too short to be concerned with what others demand of you. As along as the sun shines, your dreams will come true.”

Salutatorian Tsz Kwan Wong drew upon her proud Chinese heritage, and sought to eliminate the correlation between her racial identity and academic success.

“(Valedictorian) Sabrina (Tsang) and I often hear comments like, ‘You’re smart because you’re Chinese,’” she said. “After two years of hearing this, I knew I would never forgive myself unless I explained how I got here. We’re not here because we’re smart, or we’re Asian, but because we see the opportunities the United States offers to teenagers.”

Wong said her achievements are largely due to strength, dedication and the connections she formed with others.

“No matter who you are or what organization you belong to, you’re here because someone helped you,” she said. “We may forget the facts that we learned here after graduation, but we will never forget the network of people who got us here. Connect with everyone around you. You never know how they might help you.”

Wong’s speech wrapped up with a bit of levity.

“Do me a favor. When you hear someone complain, smack them upside the head to give them a new appreciation for life,” she said. “Class of 2006, just do it.”

Sabrina Tsang was the only speaker who managed to momentarily clear the air of paper airplanes, beach balls, super balls, and even a neon green Frisbee, before drawing on a popular analogy.

“While there is no way to put a jigsaw puzzle together, you usually connect the four corners,” she said. “Administration, teacher and the guidance department form the backbone.”

Tsang said each student resembles a unique part of the big picture, and must look within to find a defining moment.

“All these people you don’t know may seem insignificant, but they’re somehow connected to you,” she said, referring to her classmates, “Now we have assembled a picture that says, ‘Manchester West High School Class of 2006.’”

Tsang thanked her family and friends for seeing her through the challenges of her high school years.

“You believed in me when I doubted myself, and I will do the same when you leave me,” she said. “Every one of us has a lot to look forward to in the future.”

Before receiving their diplomas, the graduates were hailed by Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta as a remarkable group of people. Guinta quoted Billy Mills, the only American to win a gold medal in the 10,000-meter Olympic Race.

“Diversity can build strength. Your accomplishment doesn’t mark an end, it marks a beginning,” he said. “You represent the greatest city in the state of New Hampshire, and this country.”

The graduates filed out of the arena into the waiting arms of family and friends, pausing only to embrace each other, pose for photographs and light up well-deserved celebratory cigars.

See list of graduates on Page A-6 in the Hooksett Banner.