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Following the Presentation of the Colors by the Mount
Pulaski American Legion Post #447, the traditional Processional
“Pomp and Circumstance” by the MPHS Band and the Pledge of the
Allegiance, led by Elijah Griesheim, the speakers took to the
podium.
First up was TJ Benhart with the opening remarks. Benhart’s speech
included many thank you’s and he also noted high school had been
“the most fun four years of my life.” He also quoted a line from the
Foo Fighters song “Learn to Fly.” The Dave Grohl inspired line is
“Make my way back home when I learn to fly.” A very appropriate
quote on this inspiring day. Benhart will attend the University of
Illinois in the fall.
Next up was the 2017 Class President Lukas Aylesworth with his
remarks. Aylesworth, who is easily one of the most likable to ever
pass through the halls of MPHS, also thanked friends, family and
teachers on this day before looking directly at his classmates
seated before him and saying, “I will personally miss you guys
greatly.”
Aylesworth also highlighted the changes the Class of 2017 had seen
during their high school years. First he noted that he and his
classmates had seen the passing of same-sex marriage legislation.
Then as a diehard Cubs fan he beamed and said, “We had a change in
World Series Champions.” This drew a round of applause throughout
the gym, mixed with a few hoots and hollers. Next Aylesworth noted
that there had been a change in Bruce Jenner while the Class of 2017
was in high school. Finally with a big grin, he said, “There was a
huge (huuuggggeeee to be exact) change in presidents.”
Quoting George Bernard Shaw, the class president who will attend the
University of Illinois in the fall, said, “Progress is impossible
without change and those who cannot change their minds cannot change
anything.”
Aylesworth ended by encouraging his classmates, “Don’t be afraid to
embrace the change,” he said in closing.
Eli Olson (Valedictorian) and Zach Drake
(Salutatorian) pose in the library of Mount Pulaski
High School prior to the school’s 105th
Annual Commencement Ceremony.
Salutatorian Zach Drake, who is also bound for the University of
Illinois, spoke next and his thank you’s also included “glory and
thanks to the Lord.” Drake also noted how the Class of 2017 had
recently been recipients of over $500,000 worth of scholarship money
from the community and he said, still shaking his head in disbelief,
“That is simply amazing.”
Drake also emphasized to his classmates that “failure is not an
option.” He went on to encourage his fellow classmates by saying,
”Don’t let your grades reflect who you are.” He added, “We are all
talented.” Continuing his motivational speech, Drake said, “Every
single one of you has the potential to do great things in life. We
all have our own God-given talents and abilities.”
Drake’s speech fit perfectly in the middle of graduation and may his
positive words ring through the ears of his classmates for years to
come.
Valedictorian Eli Olson was up next on the docket and this brilliant
young mind is so far ahead in the future, his sense of humor and
down to earth personality allows people to keep up.
Olson, who really does want to be an astronaut and will pursue his
passion at Northeastern University in Boston, opened his speech by
saying, “The world is opening up to us.” Olson then guided his class
down a trip through memory lane. “Let’s take a journey and learn
about how we got here today, with apologies to the Social Studies
Department,” he said. He included little stories from preschool
years through high school years that may or may not have included
some inside jokes. Without cracking a smile, Olson quoted Troy
Bolton when he said, “We’re breaking free.”
Olson also encouraged his classmates to “make the most of it” as he
noted, “We are going out into the real world.”
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Olson also made reference in his speech to two
influential men in his personal life, his grandfathers. “Make the
most of it,” said Olson, whether it’s riding a Harley or getting to
the fields.” His maternal grandfather, the late Roger Bockler, was
an avid Harley-Davidson Motorcycle rider and his paternal
grandfather, Dave Olson, was a farmer in rural Elkhart before his
retirement. Olson concluded by telling his fellow graduates to “Go
out there and explore the world and bring a little happiness to it.”
Next on the agenda was the Recognition of Scholastic Achievement.
Principal Terry Morgan and Guidance Counselor Melanie Hinson brought
to the stage a large number of students for this honor recognition.
As with all MPHS graduation ceremonies, one of the highlights
continues to be the Senior Slide Presentation. Fun-filled photos and
memorable music are featured on a large screen much to the delight
of the crowd. This year’s fabulous display of memories was put
together by Alexandra Beckers and Kaity Jason. Songs in the slide
show included “How Far We’ve Come” by Matchbox Twenty, “Fast” by
Luke Bryan, “Good Riddance” by Green Day and “Photograph” by
Nickelback. The presentation not only included baby photos and
senior pictures, but also highlighted memories from way back in the
day (throwback to preschool and days at Zion and MPGS here) and the
most recent school trips to Washington, D.C. and Chicago. A game at
Wrigley Field and a grand slam by Javy Baez as the Cubs went on to
“Fly the W” were the highlights of that recent senior trip to
Chicago.
The real moment of accomplishment and ultimate photo opportunity
came with the Awarding of Diplomas. School board members Jeff Beccue
and Charles Hickey presented the thirty-nine students their
diplomas. Lukas Aylesworth read each of the names of his fellow
classmates as they were escorted to the stage. This is a most recent
tradition that has begun at MPHS and it adds a nice personal touch.
Alexandra Beckers read Aylesworth’s name, signaling the end of the
presentation of diplomas.
As the last of the graduates returned to their seats, there was a
pause after Mr. Morgan announced the class to the crowd, and finally
the hats were tossed in the air. None of the hats stuck in the
ceiling, so that was a success. This is Mr. Morgan’s eighth
graduating class that he has presided over and year and year he
continues to praise the students.
One more speech left and it would be class dismissed. Joshua Dyer
gave the closing remarks, which again were filled with humor and
maybe a touch of sarcasm. He mentioned the two things he totally did
not do: 1) Definitely did NOT wait until the bus ride home from the
senior trip on Thursday to start to think about this and to write
this and 2) The second thing that absolutely NEVER happened was that
he looked up on Google during this said bus ride “Best Graduation
Closing Remarks of all time.
His speech also included something about seniors wearing sunscreen
and as a music lover he just had to read a lyric from one of the
greatest bands of all time, “I am the egg man, they are the egg men,
I am the walrus, goo goo g’ joob goo goo g’ joob.”
His thank you’s were full of genuine sincerity and he hit the nail
on the head when he said, “Thank you to Mr. Morgan for genuinely
caring about the kids that go to our school.” He concluded with,
“And most of all, thank you all for sitting through me speaking. Oh
and one more thing, don’t forget the sunscreen? I don’t know guys.”
Joshua Dyer is a future Purdue Boilermaker, making his Indiana born
and bred mom proud. Dad is proud, too.
Following the Retiring of the Colors and the Recessional “Pomp and
Circumstance” the graduates gathered on the lawn outside the
gymnasium to meet family and friends for photos.
Eli Olson taking the graduating class selfie in the library (this
photo courtesy of Rob Siebert)
Congratulations to this outstanding group of young adults who are
indeed ready to break free and embrace change. May the future be
filled with much health and happiness for the Class of 2017.
[Teena Lowery] |
