By JON BAKER

PAWTUCKET — Traffic from her Taunton workplace provided Deborah Kamps with a whole lot of stress Monday afternoon; that was one of a few reasons she delivered her daughter, April, a bit late to Tolman High School’s 80th Commencement.

The Tigers’ 227 seniors had already begun their processional from the second-floor James W. Donaldson Gymnasium — the usual pre-ceremony meeting place — downstairs to the auditorium when the elder Kamps offered a hefty sigh of relief as her prized possession slipped into her white cap and gown.
“I’m glad we made it,” she chuckled. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of her — and all these kids. April has gone from C’s and D’s as a freshman and sophomore to A’s and B’s, and she even made honors (as a senior). Just a couple of years ago, we had nothing. Everything was taken from us because our landlord evicted us, and we were homeless for a couple of weeks. I know that broke her spirit, but I told her she had to put it all behind her, and buckle down.
“April has done that, and now she’s going to the University of Rhode Island to study accounting,” she added. “I’m a single mom, so it’s been hard, but we’ve survived. She’s worked so hard.”
As always, parents, other family members and friends fanned programs in front of their faces to cool themselves from the humid surroundings, but enthusiasm reigned on this special evening.
Prior to speeches from Mayor James E. Doyle, School Superintendent Hans Dellith (who pointed out numerous athletic accomplishments, creating hoots and hollers) and School
Committee Deputy Chairperson Nicole Nordquist, Principal Frederick Silva congratulated this contingent for being part of the largest graduating class in United States history (3.2 million in 2008). He also noted, due to new “portfolio and presentation” requirements, “this class has been the most tested … than any other before them.”
Silva then quoted Thomas Friedman, author of “The World Is Flat” and authority on globalization, during a speech to 2005 Williams College graduates before offering advice.
“Find a career that you can be in love with,” he said. “We no longer have 40-hour-a-week jobs. We have lifestyles. Be a good listener. We learn when we listen. We teach when we speak … Learning, unlearning and relearning are essential to success.
“Don’t get carried away with the gadgets. Computers, MP3 players, iPods and Google are all tools. Tools, when properly used, will make you smarter. If you get fascinated with the tool, it’s a waste of time. In other words, if you’re fascinated with the fork, you’ll miss the meal. And (Friedman’s) last piece of advice, was ‘Call your momma.’ Keep in touch with your families that have supported you throughout life.”
Salutatorian Christopher Boucher offered the following: “Just as you’ve learned so much already, your lives will be continuous learning experiences. But -- by being here today -- you’ve already proven you’re ready for anything life has to offer. You’ve already proven that you have the perseverence and the determination to succeed against all odds.
“Always hold onto that determination.”
In a truly inspiring delivery, one that drew tremendous appaluse, valedictorian Tyler Rogers asked his classmates to appreciate their teachers, coaches and advisors (including class advisor Noreen McVay), family, friends and even themselves.
He told them they must motivate, tolerate and demonstrate.
In the excerpt about motivation, he said, “As Mr. Kanye West says, ‘That that don’t kill me can only make me stronger!’ So, with this in mind, we are arguably the strongest class to ever walk across this stage.”
As for tolerating, he claimed, “It is only when you recognize what each person has to offer that you can achieve great things. Toleration leads to cooperation, and cooperation leads to innovation.
“Among you there are future scientists, future artists and future world leaders, but such futures never come easily. They aren’t gifts to be handed out to any passing whim; they are cherished dreams, made real through absolute commitment to an ideal.”
Before the trek to the audfitoirum, Jazmin Vargas admitted she didn’t know what to think as to her four years of “Tolman devotion.”
“I know I don’t want to trip over my gown, and I know I’m going to miss all my friends,” she said.
A large percentage of new graduates undoubtedly felt the same.