(PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER, STAFF)
By: Jacob Kessler
“Let our voices loudly ringing; Echo far and near! Songs of praise thy children sing, to thy mem’ry dear. Alma Mater! Alma Mater! tender, fair and true. Grateful sons with love unfailing, all our vows renew.”
This is the Alma Mater for the Wauseon High School whose seniors celebrated their graduation and the schools one hundred and forty-second commencement.
On Sunday, May 29th 133 students were able to receive their diplomas and experience the once in a lifetime event that comes after so much hard work.
Several students and school administrators spoke during commencement to give their congratulations and positive words.
Class of 2022 Vice President Eva Marin Mennetti spoke first. In her speech she welcomed everyone for coming to the ceremony.
“Let us all spend today reminiscing on the past, celebrating the present, and anxiously awaiting the future. From the class of 2022, thank you for being a part of not only today but the path that brought us here.”
Grace Mary Jo Wu Kuntz then gave the first class address. “For the past thirteen years we have all followed the same path going to school seven hours a day, five days a week, from August to May with one end goal in mind, graduation.”
“But as we wait here today, that path will split into a hundred and thirty different paths, with others going into the work force, taking a gap year, pursuing a trade, attending college, going into the military, or just taking it one day at a time, all of us will use the experiences and lessons we have learned in our futures.” In closing, Eva stated that only we can define what success means in our life.
Carter Michael Nofziger gave the next class address. “I love and cherish each and every one of you. And while my heart is filled with sadness to see many of your faces for the last time, I am more so filled with joy as I know your futures are promising, and your hearts burn with a passion to make a better tomorrow.”
“So go fourth you intellectuals and dreamers, you youthful minds and beacons of hope and destiny. And create for yourself a world in which your happiness is immeasurable. Congratulations tribe of 2022 Wauseon seniors!”
After all the speeches had concluded it was time to hand out diplomas. Each student came up onto the stage one by one to receive what they had worked so hard and so long to achieve.
Each one then participated in the ceremonial turning of the tassel before throwing their hats into the air in celebration.
The Wauseon class of 2022 have now graduated, and the future is theirs for the taking. They will all make sure that their voices ring loud as their Alma Mater says, and will live by their class motto, Hakuna Matata which means to have no worries.
To the Wauseon Class of 2022, congratulations on a job well done and good luck with your future endeavors.
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com
