Sullivan County High School Graduates 55
By James Loewenstein, The Daily Review, Towanda, Pa.
Jun. 14–LAPORTE — While a few raindrops fell shortly before the Sullivan County High School graduation on Friday, the ceremony itself was spared from the rain.
A total of 55 graduating seniors received their diplomas at the ceremony, which was held outside the Sullivan County Junior/Senior High School.
In his speech, salutatorian Allen Williams talked about the importance of commitment, perseverance and friends.
“When we commit to something, we tell ourselves that no matter what, we will accomplish our task,” Williams said. “Such is the case today. We committed ourselves to the Sullivan County school system, and now we stand before you as Sullivan County graduates.
“When times got tough, it was perseverance that pushed us through,” Williams continued. “Whether with family, school, friends or work, it was our loyalty to the task at hand that allowed us to rise above the hard times in our lives and enabled us to be here this evening. This tenacity and ability to surmount obstacles has equipped us for the real world, and our mistakes or lessons learned have strengthened our character.
“Through it all, thick and thin, none of us can really say we did it without the help of a friend,” he said. “Whether it be a schoolmate, teacher, fellow co-worker or family member, each of has someone to thank on this special evening.”
In her speech, valedictorian Katherine Shoemaker paid tribute to the many people who had contributed to the successes of the graduating seniors, including their family members, teachers and friends.
“There would be very few accomplishments to observe (today) without those amazing people who have helped us throughout our lives,” she said.
The teachers in the Sullivan County School District had taught the Class of 2008 not only academics, but “values and characteristics that are necessitated by daily life: patience, understanding, knowledge and creativity,” she said.
The teachers “have been our mentors and advisers, and most importantly, our friends,” she said.
The students’ families “have always been there to love us and care for us, to feed us and to make us go to bed early on school nights, and to shape us, in general, to grow up as good and respectable young men and women.”
“And our friends have always been there to pat us on the back, whether it be in congratulation or commiseration,” she said. “They are the ones who have to put up with us, and who do so no matter what the circumstance.”
She also talked about how the class members should lives their lives after high school.
“This commencement celebrates those accomplishments already achieved, but it also opens the door to future successes,” Shoemaker said. “It marks the advent of a new life for each of us, one where we will have to work honestly and unremittingly.
“We all have the ability to idealize our aims, and the aptitude to work toward them,” she said. “Once accomplished, we can then impart the results of our labors and the skills we utilized to others. By doing so, we hope that we can sufficiently give back to those that gave so much to us. Some may give back by volunteering time to the community, while others may find cures to diseases or even a way to lower gas prices. But no matter how we share our talents, we can add the act of contributing to our ever-growing list of successes.”
Sullivan County Junior/Senior High School Principal Linda Rogers used the threat of rain to create a light moment during the ceremony.
“My husband is pointing to the sky, so I think he thinks it’s going to rain, so I’ll hurry this up,” she said with a laugh, referring to the speech she was about to give.
In her speech to the graduating class, Rogers encouraged the students to use each day to “reach out and learn something more of what life is about.”
“Follow your dreams, and strive to make them come true,” she said.
“Your graduation is a beginning — a time to look forward, to dream new dreams, to try your wings and see what lies beyond,” she said. “Cherish your yesterdays, dream your tomorrows, but live your todays.”
During the ceremony, seniors Derek Malin and Katherine Shoemaker presented the class gift — a laminator that will cover documents in plastic to preserve them — to Rogers.
Rogers also announced that the Sullivan County Scholarship Association was presenting awards to 24 of the graduating seniors. Each of the 24 seniors received an award of $1,800 from the Scholarship Association, Rogers said.
A panel of retired educators chose the 24 recipients based on a number of criteria, such as academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community service, she said.
James Loewenstein can be reached at (570) 265-1633; or e-mail: jloewenstein@thedailyreview.com
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Copyright (c) 2008, The Daily Review, Towanda, Pa.
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