Vaca valedictorian balances academic and religious duties
Carolyn Fine
VACAVILLE — Graduating Vacaville High School students will be able to hear their valedictorian’s address on Thursday evening.
But they won’t be seeing her.
Senior Carolyn Fine, the Class of 2011′s valedictorian, will not be delivering the address in person because the day falls on the second day of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. Fine will be observing the holiday with her family and Jewish community at Chabad of Solano County.
Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah to the Jews at Mount Sinai 3,323 years ago. Due to the sanctity of that day, Judaism prohibits certain mundane acts, one of which is the use of a microphone.
Fine said she had some stressful days trying to come up with a way to both observe her religion and fulfill her duties as a valedictorian.
“I feel really blessed and lucky that everything worked out,” Fine said. “This is very important because Judaism is an important part of my life.”
Taking the time to think outside of the box to help Fine meet both her religious and scholastic duties was not a problem for the school, according to Vacaville High Assistant Principal John Alongi.
“We would do cartwheels to help her,” Alongi said. “She is one of the finest women I know. She deserves an opportunity to speak to her classmates.”
Fine recorded her speech Wednesday “and we will play it for the assembled students (during graduation) with a brief explanation,” Alongi said.
Shavuot is observed from Tuesday evening through nightfall Thursday, which falls at about 9:15 p.m. The graduation starts at 7 p.m., just a little more than two hours before the end of Shavuot.
Rabbi Chaim Zaklos, director of Chabad of Solano County, said he was impressed with Fine and the school’s willingness to accommodate her.
“As a rabbi, there are times when I take inspiration from students,” Zaklos said in a statement. “This is one of them. Witnessing a young adult who is steadfast in her beliefs and observance will surely give much strength to the community at large.”