A SPECIAL REPORT
Joe Ruvido, a senior at Weymouth High School, agreed to allow The Patriot Ledger to follow him through his final year. This is his story, to be updated periodically throughout the school year.
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A SPECIAL REPORT |
Joe Ruvido, a senior at Weymouth High School, agreed to allow The Patriot Ledger to follow him through his final year. This is his story, to be updated periodically throughout the school year. |
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June 16, 2006
Saying goodbye High school diploma in hand, Joe Ruvido is anticipating what’s to come This is the last installment of a series of stories on Joe Ruvido, who graduated from Weymouth High School on June 8. The Patriot Ledger Joe Ruvido has finished his classes, seized his diploma and tossed his graduation cap into the air. And just like that, the 18-year-old is done with high school. “I’m not that sad that it’s over,” said Ruvido, who recently graduated from Weymouth High School. “I’m looking forward to what’s to come.” Like graduates across the country, Ruvido is saying goodbye to high school and ushering in a new phase of life. He and about 75 percent of his graduating class of 414 are preparing for college, while others are readying for the work world or military life. Whatever their plans, the graduates are poised for change. For most, this is a time filled with reflection, celebration and anticipation of what’s next. “Some are so ready to leave and go on to their next step,” said Weymouth High School guidance counselor Bonnie Miller. “A number of students felt that way all year. Then there are those who, even though they have plans, are somewhat reticent about going to the real world because high school represents a lot of stability.”
Ruvido, who’s headed to Brandeis University this fall, said he’ll miss the routine of high school and hanging out with friends. While his senior year flew by, it was the most memorable and by far, the most fun. “By the time you’re a senior, a lot more people are friends with a lot more people,” Ruvido said. “With my class, there’s a lot of unity.” 4 years of hard work Ruvido spent his last weeks as a high school senior with his classmates. There was the prom, a Boston Harbor cruise, a clambake, awards night, senior breakfast, and finally graduation. “(Graduation) is like the culmination of four years of hard work and time spent with sports, school and work,” Ruvido said. “It’s kind of the celebration of all that.”
Ruvido’s mother Nancy, sister Jessica and grandparents Joseph and Tina attended his graduation last week. For Nancy, seeing her oldest child get his diploma was overwhelming. “I’m just so proud of him,” she said. “It’s unbelievable. It’s exciting.” Pumped about summer These days, Ruvido is pumped about summer, three months he refers to as “complete relaxation.” The word “complete” might be an exaggeration. Ruvido plans to run a lot this summer to prepare for track and cross-country at Brandeis. He’s also working for a contractor, so he’s not cash-strapped in the fall. Many others will do the same. “The vast majority of graduating seniors work over the summer to make money for college,” said Richard Doherty, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts. “Most get some financial aid. With that comes an expectation that they’ll work to supplement it.” Huge adjustment Nancy, Joe’s mother, hasn’t thought much beyond the summer to what life will be like in the fall without her son at home. She knows, though, that things won’t be the same. “It’s going to be a huge adjustment, but it’s also really exciting for him,” Nancy said. “The excitement overrides everything.”
Ruvido shares his mom’s enthusiasm. He can’t wait until the fall. “I’m looking forward to the whole new college scene,” Ruvido said. “New friends, moving away, going into the city, being on my own. It’s a new sense of being independent.” But with all the change and uncertainty comes some jitters. “I’m nervous about getting a weird roommate. I’m not going to lie,” said Ruvido, who plans to major in economics. “I’m worried I’m going to get a ton of work.” Well-founded worries Those worries are well-founded. Miller said college freshmen are often surprised by the amount of reading and writing that’s required of them. The amount of free time they have is equally unexpected, Doherty said. That’s especially the case for students who were heavily involved in sports and extra-curricular activities in high school but aren’t in college.
“That coupled with the fact that college in-class participation is not many hours per week, students find themselves with a lot of time on their hands,” Doherty said. To ease the transition, most colleges - including Brandeis - host orientations over the summer for incoming freshmen. They can include campus tours, crash courses on how to register for classes, and an introduction to the school and what it has to offer. “The colleges make sure the students are aware of all the support services in place to help students academically and socially,” Doherty said. “They want to make sure the students feel they know what they’re getting into now that they’ve decided where they want to go to college. They roll out the welcome mat for them.” Ruvido is ready for his welcome. “It’ll be a whole new environment,” he said. “I feel pretty confident I’ll be OK.” Eunice Kim may be reached at ekim@ledger.com.
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June 16, 2006: Saying goodbye 
