BHS seniors await graduation at EMU

The Class of 2015 completed their senior year on May 22, 2015 not even being able to believe it was over. As fast as that came and went for them, graduation will be the same.

The seniors will officially graduate with their cap and gowns on June 6, 2015. The graduation is located at Eastern Michigan Convocation Center and starts at 10:00am and lasts about an hour and a half. The graduation ceremony is put on by the senior class council, who chooses the speakers and musical performances.

“The whole thing is in the senior class council’s hands, and every year they always pull it together,” Principal Gavin Johnson said.

The graduates will be led by Dr. Greg Gray, Gavin Johnson, Henry Vecchioni, John Thompson, School Board, and staff who will march in and go directly down the center aisle to the staff seats, which will be on the left. The Ceremony will start by a welcome from principal Johnson.

“It’s something special I do every year,” Johnson said.

Next the National Anthem will be sang by the talented Julia Moffa. Next is the Recognition of Platform Guests and Presentation of Academic Awards which will both be done by Vecchioni and Bethany Warren, the senior class president. Next in line will be the Thank You to Parents said by Brendan Schultz, the band major. Following that will be the Valedictorian Speech which will be said by one of the two Valedictorians, Derek Lukacs. The second Valedictorian is Ethan Curtis who cannot attend the graduation ceremony due to a National Chemistry Contest. Curtis will be using his talent and mental abilities to try and beat out the others in the country. The Commencement Address will then be done by the Exec Board President Ryan Schaller.

Following is the first musical performance of the graduation: Carlie Mahnke, Tyler Floyd, and Chase Reppen singing the Class of 2015’s class song “I Lived” by One Republic. After that is the Brighton High School Alma Mater a band performance. Next is the Presentation of the Class of 1965. Next is another musical performance by the class president Bethany Warren singing “Change”.

The next part of the graduation is the what most would say is the most important, The Presentation of the Class of 2015 done by the seniors main principal, Vecchioni. The Acceptance of the Class of 2015 is done by superintendent Dr. Gray. Following that is the Distribution of Diplomas done by the Senior Class Council as a whole and Brighton High School Administration.

Next is the final Musical Performance, a song written by Jeremiah Johnson being sang by himself and Angela Tocco. This song has been performed once before by this duo at the annual Brighton High School Talent Show.

“I’m nervous,” J. Johnson said.

Lastly is the President’s Address and Last Official Act done again by the class president Bethany Warren followed by the Recessional.