Eleven members of the Ashland District School (ADS) Class of 2024 graduated and received their diplomas on Friday, June 7.
The graduates marched in to the ADS HS/MS band playing “Pomp and Circumstance” prior to Class Marshall William St. Peter offering a brief dedication thanking the parents, family and friends of the graduates for supporting their journey through school.
Salutatorian Michaela Carney and Valedictorian Abby Doughty delivered speeches with thoughtful messages of growth and change as the class moved through their years together.
Carney reflected on how things quietly and quickly changed.
“Just yesterday, we were playing on the monkey bars and battling in foursquare boxes on the playground. One day, along the way, the crayons turned into pens. The coloring books turned into tests, and school turned into making choices,” she said.
The rest of life starts now, and plans and life will change, she said.
“We may think something when we are 18, but two years from now, we could be doing something completely different. In the meantime, school has prepared us well to step into the world and start figuring things to for ourselves,” she said.
As the first class that spent their entire career in the new pre-K-12 combined building, the Class of 2024 reflected on the memories that they made in the school. Stories of fundraisers, athletic and co-curricular events. Winter Carnival competitions and other events were prevalent in both speeches.
Doughty had a message that the choices that they make moving forward were going to matter referring to a school presentation earlier in the year. Ethan Fisher spoke for the advocacy group “Choices Matter” and left a lasting impression on many students at Ashland District School.
“Ethan told us his life story…advocating to teens that our actions have consequences. The choices we make determine who we are and what happens in our lives,” Doughty said.
Doughty recognized that the road will not always be easy, but every obstacle can be turned in to an opportunity.
“Unfortunately, we are going to make mistakes along the way, some maybe more serious than others, but the thing is, we learn and grow form these experiences. In the words of Mark Twain ‘Good decisions come from experiences; experiences come from bad decisions,’” he said.
Maggie Landeen sang “Vienna” by Billy Joel. She was accompanied by Brandon Lira and Jon Simonoff, on piano and bass, respectively.
Guidance counselor Lynwood McHatten handed out approximately $246,000 in local and national scholarships.
Superintendent/Principal Joel Hall characterized the class as a group with positive, infectious energy that embraced growth and improvement, and urged the class to continue to grow.
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self,” he said.
Hall was joined by Board Chair Brenda Clark and Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Daniel Hodgins for the presentation of the diplomas. The class marched out to meet and greet parents, family and friends to celebrate their accomplishments.
