AUBURN - For Auburn High School's class of 2006, the last time to gather in the gymnasium to cheer and celebrate was not for an athletic competition but for the graduates at center court.
Angela Kershner / The Citizen
Megan Trumbull sits amid her classmates with her cap decorated in honor of Auburn High School's Class of 2006 during commencement ceremonies at the AHS gymnasium Friday.
Megan Trumbull sits amid her classmates with her cap decorated in honor of Auburn High School's Class of 2006 during commencement ceremonies at the AHS gymnasium Friday.
The gym floor was crowded with 311 students wearing caps and gowns, girls in white, boys in maroon, ready to celebrate the school's 36th commencement.
Crowds cheered Friday night. But not for a win; this team had already won.
Seniors this year worked to get their prom out of the school and to bring back the senior dinner/dance. Seniors succeeded in both goals, one tradition was changed, one brought back.
“We're not a traditional class, we always did our own thing, brought back important traditions to this school,” senior class president Timothy Schmidt said in his speech.
As the traditional “Pomp and
Circumstance” began, graduating Auburn Maroons lined up in their seats, shaking their heads and smiling at their family screaming their names.
“This is my second child's graduation, it's always exciting. I'm used to it but there might be some tears,” said Sue Taylor, mother of Marc Taylor.
Some students walked into the gymnasium seriously, others waved hands in the air, thankful to be done with high school.
“The only thing between us and our diplomas is a few speeches,” salutatorian Kathryn Freeman said. In her salutatory she said, “We overcame a lot last fall, we had a lot of changes in tradition, it took lots of strength and determination. Now we must break apart and go our separate ways.”
Principal David Roth began the commencement speeches, at which time the tossing around of beach balls by students also began. A request from superintendent John Plume to stop tossing beach balls ended in “boos” from students and the audience.
Valedictorian Lee Kehoe ended her speech by forcing out words in between tears. “I'm in complete awe this day has come. We are stubborn and we will get what we want and be successful,” Kehoe said.
Of 311 students, 60 graduated with high honors and 143 with advanced Regents diplomas, according to the commencement program. The number of students going to college has not yet been determined. Plume said 67 percent of students graduate from Auburn High School in four years.
After all graduates received their diplomas, four men who left while in high school to fight in the Korean War and never finished high school received diplomas Friday. Two brothers, Mike and Steve Rusin, both 67 years old, along with two other men were honored. All four were given diplomas, a standing ovation, and a gymnasium of cheering people chanting, “USA, USA.”
As tassels were turned and caps thrown during the class of 2006's last moment together, Schmidt's final words will become advice to live by. Schmidt said, “Whatever you do, stay classy.”
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
Crowds cheered Friday night. But not for a win; this team had already won.
Seniors this year worked to get their prom out of the school and to bring back the senior dinner/dance. Seniors succeeded in both goals, one tradition was changed, one brought back.
“We're not a traditional class, we always did our own thing, brought back important traditions to this school,” senior class president Timothy Schmidt said in his speech.
As the traditional “Pomp and
Circumstance” began, graduating Auburn Maroons lined up in their seats, shaking their heads and smiling at their family screaming their names.
“This is my second child's graduation, it's always exciting. I'm used to it but there might be some tears,” said Sue Taylor, mother of Marc Taylor.
Some students walked into the gymnasium seriously, others waved hands in the air, thankful to be done with high school.
“The only thing between us and our diplomas is a few speeches,” salutatorian Kathryn Freeman said. In her salutatory she said, “We overcame a lot last fall, we had a lot of changes in tradition, it took lots of strength and determination. Now we must break apart and go our separate ways.”
Principal David Roth began the commencement speeches, at which time the tossing around of beach balls by students also began. A request from superintendent John Plume to stop tossing beach balls ended in “boos” from students and the audience.
Valedictorian Lee Kehoe ended her speech by forcing out words in between tears. “I'm in complete awe this day has come. We are stubborn and we will get what we want and be successful,” Kehoe said.
Of 311 students, 60 graduated with high honors and 143 with advanced Regents diplomas, according to the commencement program. The number of students going to college has not yet been determined. Plume said 67 percent of students graduate from Auburn High School in four years.
After all graduates received their diplomas, four men who left while in high school to fight in the Korean War and never finished high school received diplomas Friday. Two brothers, Mike and Steve Rusin, both 67 years old, along with two other men were honored. All four were given diplomas, a standing ovation, and a gymnasium of cheering people chanting, “USA, USA.”
As tassels were turned and caps thrown during the class of 2006's last moment together, Schmidt's final words will become advice to live by. Schmidt said, “Whatever you do, stay classy.”
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
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