Onekama graduates 32
Posted
by Ken Grabowski, Manistee News Advocate
ONEKAMA — Thirty-two members of
the Onekama High School class of 2013 took the next step
in their lives on Sunday afternoon by being presented
diplomas during commencement exercises.
The class motto of “Enjoy the
little things, for one day you may look back and realize
they were big things” set the tone for the day’s
activities. It was a day of fondly looking back at the
memories of the past 13 years and looking forward to the
future with great anticipation.
The Onekama High School
class of 2013 proudly stand as a unit for the start
of commencement exercises. Thirty-two graduates were
presented diplomas at the ceremony.
Superintendent Kevin Hughes welcomed
everyone to the 114th commencement exercises at the school.
He said over the years they have watched them grow into
young adults and he offered them some parting advice.
“We have watched most of you since
kindergarten,” said Hughes. “My advice to you do your best
every day. Everyone has special talents that we are given,
so lets use them to their fullest. Seek advice from you
parents, grandparents and others. Their life experiences can
help you in tough times, so lean on those people.”
He then introduced this year’s
salutatorians Kaylan Fitch and Kelly Koon to deliver their
addresses. Both students finished their high school careers
with a 3.97 grade point average.
Fitch is the daughter of Blake Fitch
and Amy Fitch and she will be attending Alma College in the
fall. She talked about the valuable lessons she learned
during her time at Onekama Schools and from her parents.
“My parents taught me how to agree to
disagree and make compromises,” said Fitch. “The biggest
thing I learned from my mom is to be friends with everyone.
Even the strangest people are awesome to be around. My dad
taught me to learn from mistakes and build character from
all my experiences. I’d like to thank them both for being
there for me every step of the way. Through all the
obstacles, their support has been truly inspiring.”
Koon is the daughter of Tom and Sally
Koon and plans to continue her education at Saginaw Valley
University. She thanked the many who helped her make it to
this level, but pointed out to her classmates that the time
has come for them to emerge as adults.
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“Parents, family friends, teachers; all of you have
helped us to graduation,” she said. “You’re the ones that made sure we
get up on time, did our homework and understood lessons in life. It’s
our parents and family that taught us right from wrong, our friends that
we can relate to and compete with, and our teachers that gave us this
education. Without all of you, we couldn’t have come this far and be
here today. I’m so thankful for this experience, but now it is our
time.” This year Onekama had three
valedictorians in Claire Harvey, Elizabeth Bergren and Emily Barnard.
All three had a perfect 4.0 GPAs.
Harvey will be attending the Interlochen Arts
Academy in the fall and is the daughter of Kurt and Kristine Harvey. She
talked about reaching the next level with honesty and integrity.
“It doesn’t matter where we will be in 20 years,
it matters where we will go next,” said Harvey. “As long as each one of
us can reach that next point, and do so with honesty, integrity and
respect for the people around us, we will end up exactly where we’re
supposed to be. I think all of you are people of honesty and integrity,
and I know that each one of us can succeed. Now we may go away to build
lives of our own in other places, but no matter what, we will always
remember Onekama and be able to call this beautiful place home.”
Fellow valedictorian Bergren is the daughter of Ed
and Mary Bergren and she has plans to attend the University of Michigan
in the fall.
She told her classmates that they can now embark
on the next chapter of their lives with a clean slate.
“Someone recently told me that endings are the
worst, but if you have an ending with a new beginning that is one of the
greatest things in the world,” said Bergren. “Today is one of those
great things. High school is over now and honestly who we were in high
school doesn’t matter. For the first times in our lives we are getting
the chance of having a clean slate. Life after this doesn’t have to be
dependent on who you were in high school. No one will be held to the
same expectations, good or bad, that they had in high school. For the
first time in our lives our life is truly in our own hands.”
Barnard is the daughter of James and Susan Barnard
and will be gong to the University of Chicago in the fall.
During her valedictory address she touched on how
the class motto was only fitting.
“I thought this was relevant to us as we go
through this transition to adulthood,” she said. “Though it feels like
we have been climbing for a while, we have to keep going if we want to
see what the world really has to offer. We have to continue to learn and
grow, using the foundation Onekama has given us.”
Prior to being presented with their diplomas the
students were also treated to a slideshow of class memories that was put
together by Emily Barnard and Jessa Gauthier. |