WABASH COUNTY,Indiana – Seventy Southwood High School seniors had their chance to march into the Jr./Sr. High School gym to “Pomp and Circumstance” Saturday night for the Southwood Class of 2016’s Commencement Exercise. The night began with a moment of silence to remember Emilie Harnish, who would have graduated with the senior class this year but tragically died from injuries on October, 29, 2015, sustained from a car accident in rural Wabash County.
MSD Superintendent Dr. Sandra Weaver told the assemblage of graduating seniors while that this is as good as it gets for high school, there are great opportunities to come. She also talked about the changing technology that this generation has seen in the classroom – from chalkboards to Snapchat and beyond.
After an interlude by the Southwood Band under the direction of Chris Hickman, Salutatorian Christian Deeter took to the podium to give his speech to the graduates. Deeter on what he told his fellow graduates Saturday night.
Deeter told MiBash News that he will attend Indiana Wesleyan University in the fall, eventually to become a teacher of chemistry and physics. Then Valedictorian Kolten Kersey, who won the prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship on the last day of March, told to the graduates to not be persuaded by the negatives that they’re certain to experience in life.
Kersey will attend the IU Bloomington pre-med program with the goal of becoming a neurosurgeon. He also mentioned that he would like to also use his Spanish language skills to help in the medical field within or outside the US. Southwood Principal Tim Drake gives his impressions of the school’s Class of 2016.
After the diplomas were presented, the lights were dimmed for the amazing candle lighting ceremony. At the end of that ceremony, the graduating seniors raised their candles high in the air as if to signify their passage into adulthood. To that end, the class motto of Southwood’s Class of 2016 is “We have come a long way, but not half as far as we will go.”
Bailey Elaine Lundmark’s diploma.
The 2016 Southwood Graduation Candle Lighting Ceremony.
MSD Superintendent Dr. Sandra Weaver and Southwood Principal Tim Drake.