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Area graduates told to dream, reach individual happiness
More than 750 high school seniors received their diplomas during commencement exercises last weekend at area schools, and at each ceremony the new graduates were encouraged to make the most of their lives and find happiness during their life pursuits.
Most of those who spoke during the ceremonies used quotes from famous people to accentuate their points. Others spoke directly from their hearts.
At Cleveland Hill, Superintendent Bruce Inglis advised graduates to take time to thank those who helped them reach the milestone.
Inglis, who is retiring this month, compared their achievements to a turtle sitting on a fence post.
"(The turtle) had help getting up there," Inglis noted. "This is a day when each of you should congratulate those who helped you get here. I spent my days encouraging my own kids and whispering each night a parent's prayer."
Cleveland Hill valedictorian Justin Scibetta kept his remarks brief, but he made his feelings for the school known.
"The one part of growing up I'm not looking forward to is leaving a place like this," Scibetta said.
The Class of 2007- which included 117 candidates for graduation- presented the district with a gift of four trees to be planted outside the high school to help compensate for last October's snowstorm that damaged thousands of trees across town.
The Cleveland Hill ceremony was the only local graduation to take place on Friday. There were three commencements on Saturday.
Depew High School Principal Carol Townsend used themes from The Wizard of Oz to describe the ways in which the 164 prospective graduates have changed during their four years of high school. Townsend spoke of courage, heart, brains and dreams.
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