JORDAN - The Jordan-Elbridge class of 2008 was welcomed in with a powerful ovation of cheers Saturday as the graduation band performed the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.”
As the class stood on the stage, principal Dave Zehner took a moment to reflect on the class and its outstanding achievements.
“This is a unique class,” Zehner said. “We have 15 National Honor Society members, 10 who will be receiving regents diplomas with advance distinctions and honors and National Scholar athletes, as well. From the time they started kindergarten in 1995, they have faced challenges and we are all here to celebrate a job well done.”
Zehner said that among valedictorian Rachel Lopez's numerous accomplishments, she was a member of the National Honor Society, captain of the volleyball team and worked with programs like Youth to Youth.
“We really have become like a family,” Lopez said. “Not like one of those TV families where everybody always gets along, but like a real family. We might not always have gotten along all the time, but when we had to meet difficulty everyone was always there to show their love.”
Lopez said that the time had flown, making the events of the last few months seem all the more important.
“Thirteen years,” Lopez said. “It seems like the blink of an eye. Suddenly everything was a milestone, our last game, our last exam, our last day of school. We'll never again walk down these halls together and have a bell tell us when to get to class and when to go to lunch.”
Class salutatorian Eloise Rogers, who served as class vice president, as well as a member of National Honor Society and a peer tutor.
“We all know that what we have here is great,” Rogers said. “I want to talk about a few of those things, pep rallies, homemade banners, breakfast in the parking lot, graduation rehearsal, to being up here today. I realize now how much all this means to me. I couldn't think of spending the past 13 years with anyone better. Never forget your dreams, believe in your self, dream and try to do good.”
Class president Kenneth Bush III also took a moment to be reflective.
“I know no matter who I meet we will not have that same bond as the friends I've made here,” Bush said. “New friends may know who you are, but old friends know why you are the way you are.”
Keynote speaker Rear Admiral John F. Paddock Jr., U.S Navy, retired, has the distinction of being a Jordan-Elbridge graduate with the class of '62.
He later attend Syracuse University before beginning his military career.
But rather than discuss his accomplishments, Paddock said that he was there as a bookend, of sorts, to Lopez.
While she spoke of the world that lay ahead, Paddock gave the perspective from someone that has already been there.
“Make learning a lifelong habit,” Paddock said. “Develop a mid- to long-range plan for where you want to go and take the chance when you do get the opportunity to accomplish those goals.”
“This is a unique class,” Zehner said. “We have 15 National Honor Society members, 10 who will be receiving regents diplomas with advance distinctions and honors and National Scholar athletes, as well. From the time they started kindergarten in 1995, they have faced challenges and we are all here to celebrate a job well done.”
Zehner said that among valedictorian Rachel Lopez's numerous accomplishments, she was a member of the National Honor Society, captain of the volleyball team and worked with programs like Youth to Youth.
“We really have become like a family,” Lopez said. “Not like one of those TV families where everybody always gets along, but like a real family. We might not always have gotten along all the time, but when we had to meet difficulty everyone was always there to show their love.”
Lopez said that the time had flown, making the events of the last few months seem all the more important.
“Thirteen years,” Lopez said. “It seems like the blink of an eye. Suddenly everything was a milestone, our last game, our last exam, our last day of school. We'll never again walk down these halls together and have a bell tell us when to get to class and when to go to lunch.”
Class salutatorian Eloise Rogers, who served as class vice president, as well as a member of National Honor Society and a peer tutor.
“We all know that what we have here is great,” Rogers said. “I want to talk about a few of those things, pep rallies, homemade banners, breakfast in the parking lot, graduation rehearsal, to being up here today. I realize now how much all this means to me. I couldn't think of spending the past 13 years with anyone better. Never forget your dreams, believe in your self, dream and try to do good.”
Class president Kenneth Bush III also took a moment to be reflective.
“I know no matter who I meet we will not have that same bond as the friends I've made here,” Bush said. “New friends may know who you are, but old friends know why you are the way you are.”
Keynote speaker Rear Admiral John F. Paddock Jr., U.S Navy, retired, has the distinction of being a Jordan-Elbridge graduate with the class of '62.
He later attend Syracuse University before beginning his military career.
But rather than discuss his accomplishments, Paddock said that he was there as a bookend, of sorts, to Lopez.
While she spoke of the world that lay ahead, Paddock gave the perspective from someone that has already been there.
“Make learning a lifelong habit,” Paddock said. “Develop a mid- to long-range plan for where you want to go and take the chance when you do get the opportunity to accomplish those goals.”
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.