Tulpehocken’s 87 graduates celebrated their years together by focusing on the years to come. Friday, June 5 ceremoniously embraced the themes of facing adversity, making an impact, and sharing talents as a foundation to wish the graduates well on their way.
Salutatorian Audrey Jonas addressed the issue of facing difficulty and the unknown, “Begin with the end in mind but maintain an open mind about the situations we may encounter.”
Jonas elaborated with discussion on facing adversity head on, quoting Walt Disney’s reference to adversity: “You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” A kick in the teeth can redirect focus, provide a new appreciation, a new focus, or even change our lives.
Jonas stressed the importance of individual character and the impact we have and our influence on other’s lives: “Who we are is how we choose to use our talents in our daily lives.” She reminded her fellow graduates that after years of high school routines, they were facing the unknown BUT they were in charge of what they make their routine now.
Valedictorian Grant Baver’s address circulated around the theme of success and turning failure into lessons learned. He spoke in response to the superintendent’s motto to “strive for perfection but settle for excellence” – encouraging his classmates to never settle for mediocrity or the status quo, to never be afraid of opportunity. Baver defined success as “… more of a mindset than an achievement; success is an objective lens that you can choose where to point and you can always choose what you see through it.”
Baver cited a personal example whereby he was a finalist for a prestigious scholarship that he did not receive. He recalled being surrounded by outstanding students that made him feel outmatched and out of his league; but he realized that each individual had their own strengths and weaknesses, as did he. He could’ve let the failure govern who he was, but from it he got a lesson in confidence and learned who he was and who he wanted to be. What could’ve been his biggest failure became a great success.
Baver’s speech included several references to sports’ celebrities and culminated with two motivational quotes, one from Penn State’s Joe Paterno: “Believe deep down in your heart that you’re destined to do great things.”
Dr. Edward Albert, Superintendent of Schools, closed out the evening by turning his podium towards the graduates to address them. He spoke of giving back to the community and breeding positivity. He reminded the graduates to think of their parents and family who made sacrifices to make a difference in their lives, and encouraged them to get involved when they become parents: to pay it forward.
Dr. Albert noted that there were eighty staff in attendance that night – each bearing a special talent of their own to bring to the students. Everyone has an inherent talent: “Play towards that talent and do your best; education doesn’t stop in grade twelve – you should become a lifelong learner.”
The choral selection featured the song, “For Good” – with lyrics surrounding the common theme of leaving a lasting imprint and making a difference and lasting impression on someone: concluding with, “But because I knew you I have been changed for good.”
The presentation of diplomas went unhitched. The smiles of those next in line to be handed their diplomas, and the proud walks back to their seats was worth more than words. An occasional over joyous graduated jumped in the air, did a jig, or pointed at their family or friends. Overall, though, the cheers from the proud and supportive families were louder than the reactions of the well-behaved graduates this year.
The majority of graduates received commencement awards from an array of sources spanning a diversity of interests, subjects, and specialized fields. The school was so proud of these honors that were recognized during graduation that they handed out a printout afterwards of over twenty pages listing all those that received awards in addition to descriptions for each recognition.
As Class President Isaiah Bewley referenced in his welcome address, there was a new world for them to discover but they would all always be a Tulpehocken Trojan deep inside. He left them with some encouragement to “write the next chapter of your life on a blank page – as long as you use blue and gold ink.”
