By Dominik Lobkowicz
Graduates grin as they move their tassles over on June 10. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
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Salutatorian Gavin Felch pulls “success” (represented by a bottle of Gatorade) out of a mix of “guts,” “grit,” and “humanity” during his address. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
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RSU 40 Superintendent Steve Nolan presents Valedictorian Joseph Lobley with his high school diploma. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
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In the evening address, Medomak Valley High School English teacher Linda Pease encouraged graduates to take on three qualities of bamboo: patience, flexibility, and rootedness. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
Friends, family, and community members packed into Medomak Valley High School’s gymnasium June 10 to honor the Class of 2015’s 101 graduates.
Gavin Felch gave both the event’s greeting, as the senior class president, and an address as the class salutatorian.
“Goals are what people want in life, and success makes them happen,” Felch said. “Success is not something that can be purchased or given. Success must be made by
the individual, and with the right ingredients, it can be done.”
Felch outlined three elements – guts, grit, and humanity – which, taken in balance, he said, lead to success.
As he spoke, Felch used props to demonstrate – guts from an anatomy model, breakfast grits, and water to represent humanity – and added the items to a bucket marked
“GOAL.”
“With good natured goals … and the right mix of guts, grit, and humanity – and a little bit of magic,” Felch said as he waved his hands over the bucket.
“Bam! You have success,” he said, reaching into the bucket and pulling a bottle of Gatorade.
The class valedictorian, Joseph Lobley, encouraged his fellow graduates to be their own person and exercise free will.
“We’ve become far too concerned about what others think of us, and act accordingly,” Lobley said.
“Be different. Be as eccentric as you wish. Whatever feels right to you, do it,” Lobley said. “Be your own person.”
Medomak Valley English teacher Linda Pease gave the evening address.
Pease honored retiring MVHS Principal Harold Wilson, saying she wished his nine-year term as principal could have been longer.
To the graduates, Pease advised them to “be bamboo.”
According to Pease, after Chinese bamboo is planted, the plant grows roots for four years without breaking the surface of the ground, creating an intricate system to
support its future growth.
In the fifth year, the bamboo experiences massive growth, and the root system gives the bamboo the flexibility to bend with the wind and survive in its environment,
Pease said.
Pease encouraged the graduates to take on three qualities of bamboo: patience, flexibility, and rootedness.
“Like the bamboo,” Pease said. “Make every day an investment in your next day.”
View or buy more pictures from Medomak Valley’s graduation here.
Medomak Valley High School senior – and now graduate – Aaron Smeltzer leads the faculty into graduation June 10. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
