Every year, Dominion has a tradition of electing a teacher or faculty member to speak on behalf of the graduating class. The speaker is chosen by the students and usually has a close and personal relationship with many of them. This year, that teacher is Joseph Haberman.

         "I was honored and humbled to be selected. I was touched to learn that students wanted to hear from me and I'm looking forward to it,” Haberman said. 

         Haberman teaches tenth grade biology, AP biology, and AP psychology and many students have had him as a teacher at some point in their high school career. Haberman believes this was a contributing factor to him being selected as the faculty speaker, "A lot of students have known me for several years and have had me as a teacher more than once.”

         Due to having Haberman as a teacher and knowing him for several years, many students have been able to confide in him and form a bond that lasts for their high school years. This close bond is what lead Sasha Varzari to vote for Haberman as the faculty speaker. "He is a personable and friendly teacher and kids like him. Any teacher who can achieve that kind of relationship with his students deserves to speak at graduation," he said.

         Shannon Mazurowski agrees. "I have known him for four years from when he coached volleyball to having him as a teacher for AP psychology this year and AP biology last year and he is easily one of my favorite teachers. I can't wait to hear what he has to say at graduation," she said.

          In preparation for the speech, Haberman has talked to many seniors and has been writing the speech a little bit at a time. "I am continuously adding to it and when I get an idea I write it down," Haberman said.

          Students have ideas of topics they hope Haberman addresses at graduation. "I want him to talk about good memories he has of our class and his high hopes for our futures," Varzari said. "I want to hear that he is going to miss us," Mazurowski said.

         As for actual details of the speech, Haberman said, "You will have to wait for graduation to hear what I have to say," though he has disclosed that he will use the speech as an opportunity to "describe students I know, help speak on behalf of other faculty, and congratulate the graduating class as a whole."