By Amber Cox
FLORENCE After working for this moment for 13 years, 97 high school graduates received their diplomas on June 21 at the Florence Township Memorial High School Athletic Stadium.
Adam Schmidt was honored as the class salutatorian and Aksha Parray was named the class valedictorian.
Superintendent Louis Talarico urged graduated to stand up for what they believe in and be guided by “compassion, kindness and an open heart.”
”For most of you, high school hasn’t been lived in five periods a day. It’s been the time spent after the halls have cleared and the bells are silent,” he said. “Your memories are about the relationships you have developed, whether they are time spent with teachers, advisors, coaches, administrators or other students.”
Dr. Talarico reminded the students that what they have achieved over the past four years isn’t summed up by their receiving their diplomas but by receiving an “education in life from each other.”
”You have made solid irreplaceable friendships with your peers and high school staff, and have learned many valuable lessons in life,” he said. “Happiness is infectious, so surround yourself with people who make you a better person and, in this case, feel free to ‘infect others.’”
Dr. Talarico told students that their attitudes on life will help them in the future and attitude is more important that “appearance, giftedness or skill.”
”The world into which you are graduating is one case with shadows,” he said. “I say this not to frighten you but to challenge you one last time. See in the adversity the challenge to excel and not the excuse for failure. See in the battle the fires that will forge strength and greatness and not the flames that destroy. See in life the wondrous unfolding of providence and not the fate of the trapped.”
School board President Emma Cartier used the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path and leave a trail,” to urge students to cherish every moment they experience.
”Take the memories of the last four years and build on them no matter where your next journey leads,” she said.
