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Southern's High School Principal Mr. Dale Buss gave the welcome for the Graduation exercises of the Class of 2003 Sunday, May 18th at 5 p.m. He gave special thanks to Marshals Kim Waddell and Lee Brokaw, Music Director Mrs. Joanne Hilligoss, Mr. Jim Blender for flowers decorating the platform, Stephanie Wisslead for music, janitors Jerry, John and Nick, and Mrs. Terri Copeland for the background, and Ms. Tanya Morrison and Mr. Phil Geiser for the programs.
Mr. Buss recognized retiring teachers this year for their dedication and work with students. Mrs. Beverly Brent with 33 years of teaching, Mr. Lyman Schar with 7 years as Jr. High Principal, and Mr. Will Bavery with 27 years of teaching in the district.
The Senior Chorus performed the musical selection "Remember Me This Way." Crystal Corzatt, V.P. of the National Honor Society and Senior Class Treasurer introduced Audrey Corey President, National Honor Society, Student Council who gave the Honors Address.
Audrey said thirteen years ago they woke up with butterflies in their stomach as they were headed for their first day of Kindergarten at Southern.
"We begged our parents to drive just a little bit faster......raced to the door of the big brick building, practically dragged our parents down the hall, and then........We could not let go of our parents' hands."
"Thirteen years later and sure, we are all grown up......and the butterflies have returned.
"If trouble occurred, there were thirty-six other people to help us out of it."
The chapter is closing, Corey told classmates, and though scared and uncertain of the future she knows they will be okay. "You are all wonderful, amazing, and talented people." "I'm very proud to be...one of you."
Shannon Logan and Silas Pogue, introduced by Paige Taylor, Senior Class President, gave the Senior Address looking back over the class's years together.
Retiring Principal Lyman Schar addressed the class: "Some of you were in the last class of students that my mother, (the late Mrs. Margaret Schar) had the pleasure to know and work with as your first grade teacher. Most of you were also in the first group of students that I got to know and work with when I came to Southern Junior High." Mr. Schar said they would always be a very special group of "Kids."
His advice was to be proud of the accomplishments and memories they have created, and "No matter what you do or where you go, never lose sight of who you really are or where you have come from."
The Senior music students sang "I Hope You Dance," before Casey Nichols, Class Secretary introduced Mrs. Terri Copeland who was selected by the class as their speaker.
Mrs. Copeland commended the parents of the graduates. "They are truly very special children and their maturity and genuine goodness comes from their parents. We salute you on a job well done!"
Mrs. Copeland said, "Think outside the box. Don't let tradition or the fact that "you've never done it that way" stand in your way in the future. "Be willing to try new approaches to challenges."
"If you never question and you never allow yourself to try something new you won't grow and you will never reach your full potential. Consider this: You have seen some amazing changes in your short lives. Computers alone have come to a point of being hand held devices. Someone, somewhere, questioned and allowed for change.
Every single one of you has so much untapped potential that needs to be tested and given to society. Challenge yourselves to be the best at what ever you do."
"Each one of you is capable of anything you set your mind to...there is not a quitter in the group. Each of you will go in your own direction and each of you will be as successful as you choose to be.
"I promise you this; the faith I have in you is nothing if you do not share that faith. Bust out of tradition. Be yourself and be willing to explore the unknown.
"Realize that there would never be cures for diseases if someone hadn't challenged It's always been that way. To the best of my knowledge Southern has never graduated a pro athlete. But then the world hasn't met Christopher Wisslead. Southern has never graduated a famous singer.
"But then the world hasn't heard Sarah Jacob. And who knows what medical miracles Casey will be a part of? For those of you who say "But Chris isn't planning pursuing a career as an athlete.
"He wants to be a pharmacist. Or Sarah isn't planning to pursue a singing career. I say...keep an open mind you never know where the future may lead you. I do know that you have the potential to get there. Have your dreams. Believe in those dreams.
Mrs. Copeland also told graduates to set goals. "You wouldn't take off on a trip without a map. Don't set out on life without goals. They are your map of life.
"The great thing about goals is that they are flexible. They can be changed to meet the demands of life. Your goals are your objectives for life. Set a goal and then look at what you have to achieve to get to that goal. If a roadblock comes up set a new goal and get around the blockage.
"Remember they are your goals and only you can reach them. There will be people along the way to help you but the work and perseverance must come from you! It won't always be easy. It won't always be fun but... worth it.
"Each one of you is up to the challenge.... I am certain there is not one of you who cannot handle what life has in store for you. A person without goals is like a car without an engine. It may look nice but it isn't going anywhere. It is up to each of you to decide the power of the engine you have. Without goals, you are going nowhere.
"My final message to you is this; when you get to college or a new job and you find that your professor or boss doesn't want you to do it the "way you always have" you will not say "But I've always done it that way." It is at this point that you need to say show me a different way.... with change comes growth and that is what life is really all about.
"Leave behind the phrases "We've never done it that way" and "We've always done it that way." When you do, there is no limit to what you can achieve."
"These past four years have been great because of you. You are truly MY KIDS Good Luck and God Bless."