THE CLASS OF 2003 - BFA-FAIRFAX
FAIRFAX GRADS PROVE IMPRESSIVE

FAIRFAX-Bellows Free Academy ­ Fairfax seniors know all about roller­coasters.

It might be because the group took their senior class trip to Six Flags Theme Park in Springfield, Massachusetts. It might be because class valedictorian Paul Vallett rode the Superman ride (a rollercoaster reaching speeds of up to 80 mph) 10 times in a row.

Or it might be because a student, a student's father, and a teacher all died during four years littered with a roller-coaster of emotions.

Yet after everything they've gone through, this isn't a group that wants to dwell on tragedies.

"This is a class that's achieved a great deal," said BFA-Fairfax Principal Scott Lang. "They have brought the level of respect to a whole new level. They take their role seriously as leaders of the school. "

The class of 81 students has variety that gives the group a personality setting them above classes of the past.

Eagle Scouts. A set of twins. Two All­New England musicians. Students on the Fairfax Rescue squad. The first class to have students join the school board.

A valedictorian who has played on sports teams, acted in the huge musical production, and received the Green and Gold scholarship - an award given to Vermont students that entitles them to full four-year scholarships to the University of Vermont.

Vallett was one of two in the country to accept the award and will attend UVM to study chemistry and computer science.

"These are motivated students," said art teacher and senior class advisor Deb Walford. "They set high standards for themselves."

One of Walford's students, Leanna Copenhaver, can most easily be found in the art room, working on any number of pieces of art that have a distinctly professional look.

"It's been a lot of fun, but really hard," said Copenhaver on her high school career.

"The class has always been competitive, and I didn't start out as one of the best students but I worked hard and eventuaLy I've worked my way up."

Eventually, the class tragedies come up in conversation, but everyone is quick to point out what came from the times of despair.

It was a class that dealt with the death of Tom Sustic, a well-liked member of the community who was lost to leukemia just two years ago. Sustic's death took its toll on the entire group, but the resilient class pulled together and made it through. It was the first tragedy of the class; it would not be the last.

"It was really great how we were all there for each other," said Copenhaver. "When Mr. Hanson, the English teacher, died, the whole class showed up for the funeral,"

One of Richard Hanson's crowning achievements in his life inside the high school was the production of "The Wizard of Oz," held during, the spring and involving several seniors.

Jordan Paquette, who played the Tin Man in the play said it had been a dream since middle school.

"My father played the Tin Man here when he was in school, so it was really an honor to follow in his footsteps," said Paquette. "To go out and do it meant a lot."

"It was Mr. Hanson's dream," said Vallett. "He wanted to draw more people to the play than any playoff game, and he did, he had almost 400 people each night for four nights. He was so happy to be able to do it."

Hansen's death was diffcult for all of the seniors, as the English teacher was one of the more popular teachers, a figure to whom many students gravitated.

"He was one of the most influential people I've met," said Paquette. "He thought like we did. He was easy to get along with."

Paquette mentioned one of Hanson's more popular lectures -- "thinking outside the box" - a metaphor dealing with exploring Iife and expamding realms of thought.

"He always asked us, 'Where is the box?"'said Paquette. "where is the box, what is the box, how can you get outside the box? It was a great way to change your way of thinking."

This also was a class that led the cheerleading squad to a state championship, a class that, according to Vallett, avoided cliques and groups that break many schools apart and start feuds; a class that had no class hang-out; every­one was too busy contributing to the school and the community.

On the day of their graduation Paquette's grandmother, Jeanette Langlois, received her degree as well through the Adult Diploma Program a fitting metaphor for the perseverance of the graduating class as a whole.

The senior class trip to Six Flags was one of the most popular events mentioned by students Sixty-five seniors attended the trip.

"It was so much fun," said Vallett. "There was nobody else there except for a few other high schools who were taking their senior class trips, and there was a little rain, but overall it was a great trip."

Principal Lang noted the trip as one of the marquee examples of the maturity of the class.

"We can take them places," said Lang. "They don't embarrass themselves, they are responsible They raised so much money for this trip and other things, and there's money left over. I've had most of these kids. This is the first class I've taken the entire school year' and it's just been a great experience."

Paquette agreed. "It says a lot that we were responsible enough to go on this trip. I think the senior class of 2003 will go far."