Students Say Goodbye to Elwood

Graduating seniors from Elwood-John H. Glenn High School Class of 2015 officially said goodbye to teachers and administrators as they looked forward to the future during the school’s 53rd commencement exercises.

Members of the board of education, teachers, friends and family were there to watch the students officially part with the Elwood School District.

Speakers addressed the students and gave them advice and words of wisdom.

Interim Principal Dr. James Ruck kicked off the ceremony by asking a simple request of the graduates. “My request to you is that you continue to take on your short and long-term challenges with the same level of decency that you exhibited in Elwood,” he said. “May you move on to the next chapter in your lives with memories of your extended family and friends in Elwood and spread the spirit with the approach that impacts others.”

Board of Education President Joseph Fusaro and Board of Education Vice President Dan Ciccone provided words of wisdom and encouragement as the students begin the next chapter of their lives.

Students walked to the triumphant sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” and attendees were musically entertained in between presentations leading up to the conferring of diplomas and the ceremonial cap toss.

For their last performance as Glenn students, graduates joined their fellow band and chorus members. The band performed the classic composition “Hunting Scene,” by Satoshi Yagisawa while the mixed chorus sang “Little Wonders” by Rob Thomas.

Following the address by Senior Class President Allison Biancardi, Salutatorian Kelsey Hackett delivered her speech in the form of a letter where she expressed her appreciation for the friendships and support that she experienced throughout the years. “To the class of 2015, thank you for all the wisdom you have imparted on me. Thank you for the laughter, thank you for helping me become who I am today,” said Hackett. “There are feelings and memories that we share that no one else ever will… and by these things we are bonded forever.”

Valedictorian Trevor Lochan encouraged his classmates to make the most of the opportunities life has to offer. “Most importantly we learned that our time is not unlimited, we are not invincible and so we might as well enjoy our lives,” Lochan said. “Right now all of you are lucky enough to chase whatever dream you want and some of you don’t know what dream you want to chase and that is perfectly okay. Go out and explore. Your success in life is determined by how well you pursue those things and let them shape your life.”

Following a special presentation by the senior class officers, Dr. Ruck distributed the first two posthumous diplomas to the parents of Sean Urda and sister of Matthew Lawrence, two Glenn students who passed away before their high school graduation.

Superintendent of Schools Peter Scordo read the certification of requirements that each graduate demonstrated to receive their diploma.

After Dr. Ruck and members of the Board of Education presented the diplomas, the senior class officers led the graduates in turning their tassels from right to left and joyfully tossed their caps in the air. To the commotion of cheers and applause, the graduates took their first steps as newly anointed Elwood alumni. Congratulations to the Class of 2015!

Photos:

1. Elwood-John H. Glenn High School Class of 2015’s Valedictorian Trevor Lochan and Salutatorian Kelsey Hackett
2. Members of the Elwood-John H. Glenn High School Class of 2015 prepare for the school’s 53rd commencement exercise.
3. Elwood-John H. Glenn High School Interim Principal Dr. James Ruck congratulated students after receiving their diploma.
4. Elwood-John H. Glenn High School Class students received their high school diplomas.
5. Elwood-John H. Glenn High School Class of 2015’s tossed their graduation caps in the air to celebrate at the end of the ceremony.

Photo courtesy of the Elwood UFSD

Story provided by Syntax