The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher
Early arrivals at Southern's graduation exercises were treated to a slide presentation of the students and their years at Southern. Graduation was held last Sunday at 5 p.m. with Stephanie Wisslead playing the processional for the forty students who were graduating.
The invocation was given by Sarah Brokaw and musical selections by the senior chorus singing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and later, an ensemble of senior students sang "There You'll Be".
Emily Mowen, Vice President of the National Honor Society introduced the Honors Speaker, Emily McCann.
Her emotional tribute to those who brought them this far, included home, church, school, and community.
Parents for their gentleness, patience, kindness and moral values "help us face uncertainties," she said, "knowing you're always be there for us."
She thanked church family and community for supporting their fund raisers, and attending events all through the year, and for teachers reinforcing the values taught by their parents.
She talked of the memories shared together as a class, the contests, races, plays, and "in moments of despair, we always had someone to turn to." She ended with lyrics from Jars Of Clay - "This Road We Travel" and by telling classmates she hopes they follow their dreams. She ended with a prayer of thanks for her family and for God's son Jesus Christ that we might have eternal life.
Awards were presented:
Don Isaacson Award - Steve Isaacson by Mr. Will Bavery
Ron Waid Award-Ashley Cargill by Ms. Nadine Nice
Gladys Bigger Memorial Scholarship-Jacqueline Fisher by Shelly Bigger
Pieter McVey Memorial Scholarship-William Ford & Tiffany Magner by Mr. Dale Buss
American Legion Post 765 citizenship Award- Sarah Brokaw & John Buss by Mr. Gene Heap
Outstanding Senior Music Students- Sarah Brokaw, Jess Bond and Samantha Fisher by Mrs. Joanne Hilligoss.
A short Baccalaureate Address was given by Pastor John Deal of the Presbyterian Churches of Media and Stronghurst who reminded them that the Lord is their shepherd."
Jamie Richard, Senior Class Secretary, introduced speakers for the Senior Address - Anna Clifton and William Ford.
The two reminded classmates of events that happened throughout their 12 years at SHS.
Senior Class President Steve Isaacson, introduced the Guest Speaker which the class had selected - Todd Wetterling.
Mr. Wetterling was a former teacher and coach throughout their junior high and high school years, and Steve said, "we always thought of him as our mentor and friend.
Mr. Wetterling began his "locker room talk" with the same force the students had heard many times before.
"What am I going tell'em I haven't already told you.... several of you 10 times," he said.
Wetterling said the things he had told them were not just a joke but they are important. A short version of what he said was 1st- always keep learning. "knowledge is the weapon used to gain success," he said.
2nd-Be open minded and don't think you already know it all, saying make sure of the facts before you make a judgement.
3rd- Work hard, there's no replacement. Some think if you show up for a job that is enough. Quitting is too common - Ôcause it's easy."
4-Set goals. In college don't just say you want to graduate, strive to be in the top 10. If you are in construction, strive to be the one who orders the nails not just pounds them in. If you don't set goals, that's all the higher you will ever go. "Step it up."
5- Fear of Failure ...Don't be on the sidelines and criticize others. He gave a quote from Theodore Roosevelt- "It's not the critic that counts, .... credit belongs to the man who's in the arena.... etc.
He said it was easy to watch someone else do the job then criticize them but maybe others aren't even going to try for fear of failure.
6- Doing the Right thing. People what to take short cuts instead of doing things right... not because it is better but because it is easy. It's the tough thing to do things the way things are suppose to be done.
7- Responsibility.. If the job is yours to do. GET IT DONE. and don't make EXCUSES. That's a cop out. If you didn't do it, don't even give an excuse, either you've done it or you haven't.
8- Successful people: Believe in yourself, have a positive attitude, remind yourself it is not life threatening, you've got to keep going. You got to work at it and set goals.
9- If you can't pay - don't even play. If you can't pay the price to work at college, don't even go. Don't be on the team
10- There is nothing free in this world, it all comes at a cost. "You may all see this as a big step, but it is only mediocre. The big steps you will take will come after today."
The graduating class of Mr. Wetterling a standing ovation after his pep talk. Principal Dale Buss said he remembers coaching Todd Wetterling in Jr. High basketball and five words would always come out of his mouth: "I can do it coach!"
Mr. Buss announced the Valedictorian Emily McCann and Salutatorian Ashlie Cargill.
Mr. Stan Fisher- past board president and father of two graduating seniors (Samantha and Jacqueline) and present school board President Mr. Jon Corzatt presented the diplomas to the graduates upon the presentation of the class by Supt. Charles Barber.
Jacqueline Fisher closed with a benediction before the Recessional and good wishes extended by family and friends.