Cherish the memories of childhood and embrace the future
and its opportunities, five Fremont Ross High School graduates told their classmates
Sunday during graduation.
Although some graduates might feel dejected to leave
their friends, their home and their comfort
zone, they have a chance to meet new people, learn new
things and make the world a better place,
Michael Yuhas said during the ceremony at Don Paul
Stadium.
The 295 graduates have different futures. Some will
enter the workforce, while others will attend
college or enlist in the military.
"Although our paths are diverging, we are all
connected," Yuhas said. "This new beginning is not
really a new beginning but a continuation of what we
are. Let us make mistakes, not just to screw up
but to learn from them.
"Actions speak louder than words. Live accordingly."
Erica Meek said graduates should make room for new
experiences and personal growth to widen
their beliefs and views. They will leave the relative
safety of school to pursue new goals and meet
new challenges, she said.
"Now it is time to truly discover who we are," she said.
Brittney Gnepper reminded her classmates to be true to
themselves and defy those who tell them
they can't fulfill their dreams.
Seth Zeiter told them to keep the same spirit they had
on graduation day. Feeling they can make a
difference in the world and take on challenges will help
them achieve their goals, he said.
Class president Alayna Dorobek compared the graduates to
an apple. Although the skin is shiny,
what matters most is the core, which contains the seeds,
she said.
The seeds are the hope for the future, and the
graduates' heart and potential are the seeds, she said.
"It is up to us to determine if our seeds will root
themselves into something stronger, greater and more
beautiful than the apple itself," she said. "I hope you
live a life you are proud of. If you're not, I hope
you find the strength to start over."
Yuhas, Meek, Gnepper, Zeiter and Dorobek were the top
five academic students in the class of 2009.
After the speeches, the graduates -- women in white
robes and men in purple -- threw their caps into
the air, signifying the end of their high school years.
Blanca Navarro, 19, said she plans to join the Army and
specialize in nursing. She said she was
happy to graduate and was looking forward to her career.
"The future begins," she said.
Kodie Stout, 18, said he is excited to attend Vincennes
University in Indiana to major in bowling
management. He said he was thrilled to get his diploma.
"It's the most important part and seeing all your
friends for the last time," he said. "It's amazing. It's
actually 18 years we've worked for it."
Ross Honors Top 25 and Honored Educators
What is better than a nice dinner with twenty five of your peers, families and honored educators? When the end of your senior year is rapidly approaching, not much can top this.
The Top 25 students for the class of 2009 shared a wonderful dinner with their families, peers and honored educators at Crystal Arbors Banquet Hall on Thursday April 30, 2009. The banquet
was sponsored by the Fremont Ross Academic Boosters.
