DANFORTH — Seventeen seniors graduated June 5 from East Grand High School as a crowd of nearly 400 packed the Wyman Gymnasium.
Contributed photo/Patrick Scott
GETTING READY — Wearing funny hats and flowers is a little bit out of the comfort zone for these East Grand High School graduates, from left, Tyler Langill, Mark Bartlett, Andrew Ashton, Harvey Brittain, Tyler Morse and Lucas Gillis.
Fourteen members of the Class of 2008 plan to continue their education beyond high school and three are undecided, according to class adviser April Doane.
In her valedictory speech, Judith Armstrong suggested her classmates were well prepared for adulthood, having learned valuable life lessons from difficult situations. “As seniors on the verge of being thrown out into the world, we will take those lessons and apply them to life. We have learned patience, how to work and deal with people, and also how to solve problems,” she said.
Salutatorian Tyler Langill said much the success enjoyed by his class was due to unconditional support from the community. “We all owe thanks to all the teachers from both this year and the past. If it wasn’t for them, we all would not be here today. We also owe our parents thanks. They were the ones who woke us up every morning and sent us off to school. So thank you to everyone for always being there for us and not letting us miss out on the amazing opportunity,” he said.
Harvey Brittain, first honor essayist, encouraged his peers to be confident. “Fellow classmates, as you leave here tonight, remember, you can do anything that you set your mind to, no matter the size or difficulty of the task. You have the tools of knowledge, the skills, and the power of a mind at hand, that with a little ambition, and determination, you can accomplish anything,” he said.
Second Honor Essayist Natasha Garza also cited others for making her Class of 2008 successful. “It doesn’t matter whether we are going to college or staying here in our hometown, but we will always know that we have people that care for us and want to help us reach the highest success we can possibly live,” she said.
Other 2008 East Grand graduates include Andrew Ashton, Mark Bartlett, Chelsea Craig, Jackie Dodge, Lucas Gillis, Michelle Glover, Ashlee Kendall, Alysha Latvis, Bruce Lee, Tinesha Lisherness, Tyler Morse, Jesse Nichols and Tyler Richardson.
Underclassmen Courtney Lloyd and William Brittain served as class marshals. Superintendent William Dobbins conferred diplomas to the graduates while Principal David Apgar awarded over $10,000 in scholarships.
Mary Miller served as pianist during commencement and batons and flowers were arranged by Beatrice Brown.
Contributed photo/Patrick Scott
OFFICERS — Senior class officers at East Grand High School include, from left, Judith Armstrong, treasurer; Natasha Garza, president; Chelsea Craig, secretary; and Mark Bartlett, vice president.
Contributed photo/Patrick Scott
MIXED EMOTIONS — Minutes away from taking their last orders at East Grand High School are members of the Class of 2008, from left, Andrew Ashton, Chelsea Craig, Tyler Langill, Tyler Morse and Jackie Dodge.
