Richard Girardin is PCCC valedictorian

PATERSON - Richard Girardin, a 19-year-old West Milford resident, was the valedictorian of the 2009 graduating class at Passaic County Community College. “I was quite surprised and honored,” said Girardin, when he first learned that he would graduate with a perfect 4.0 average and at the top of his class of more than 400 graduates. He delivered his valedictory address at the college’s 37th commencement exercises held on May 21 at the Paterson campus. A member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, Girardin was also in the college’s honors program. He earned his associate in arts degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on humanities and plans to enter Fairleigh Dickinson University in September to continue his studies toward a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. Though still uncertain of his future path, Girardin said he would like to eventually pursue graduate studies in philosophy and theology at Boston College, and he is considering a career as a college professor or a lawyer. “I’ve always been interested in constitutional law,” he explained. Girardin is the son of Rich and Melody Girardin - a carpenter and a schoolteacher - and has three younger sisters, Rebecca, 11, and nine-year-old twins Cassie and Lauren. He has been homeschooled since the age of nine. “I had a tough, but fantastic education,” said Girardin. “I didn’t realize what a great education I had until I got to college.” The young scholar credited his home-schooling program with an excellent humanities curriculum and high academic standards. “They really taught me how to write well.” Girardin plans to spend the summer as a counselor and part-time missionary at Camp Orchard Hill, a Christian camp in Pennsylvania. “I attended that camp every summer since I was nine years old, and I’ve been on the staff since last year,” he said.