DUKE CENTER — Friday’s commencement ceremonies at Otto-Eldred Jr./Sr. High School provided diplomas to 52 students.
The ceremony was held in the high school auditorium. The audience was welcomed by Kyle Kontz, president of the Junior Class of 2018. Top ranking senior mantle holders Mark Miller (academic) and Savanna McVinney (career and technical) gave their remarks on their experiences at Otto-Eldred before passing their mantles to Junior mantle holders Caden Kriner (academic) and Simon Peter Couls (career and technical). There was not a mantle holder for practical arts for the senior class. Therefore, the high school industrial arts/technology educator, Ed Reitler, passed the practical arts mantle to junior mantle holder, Ethan Flexman.
The audience enjoyed the class song “I Lived” by One Republic which was performed by the Senior Choir.
Student council president, Rachel Wolfe, introduced the guest speaker, Karen McClelland. She is an Otto-Eldred alumni of the Class of 1983. She received her associate’s degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh in Bradford, continued her education for her bachelor’s at Daemon College, and then earned her master’s from Grand Canyon University. She is currently the director of surgical services at Cole Memorial.
“Work is an important part of life, so pick a career or profession you love,” McClelland remarked. “Don’t let anyone dictate to you what you will do in the future.” McClelland shared with the graduates her journey to her nursing career. She talked about how nursing was the path she originally chose, but was quickly dissuaded by another highly educated person. “They told me that the nursing program was hard and discouraged me,” she said. Instead of nursing she enrolled into computer programing. It wasn’t until a very smart professor told her that some people are meant to work with machines and some are meant to work with people. She quickly enrolled in the nursing program, which her heart told her to do in the first place. “After 31 years I still love being a nurse,” she said.
She also reminded not to be discouraged about being from a small school. There are been many successful people that have come out of Otto-Eldred such has high ranking military officers, business owners, doctors and so many others.
In closing, she reminded the graduates to surround themselves with positive people. Life is full of challenges, nothing is easy. Strive to be the best you can be. Find your support system, your family and lean on them when you need them. Most importantly was for them to have fun along the way, because life is short.
Harley Ramsey, high school principal, reminisced with the class on their memorable year during his farewell speech. Getting emotional at times, he reminded them how they are a family. Ramsey talked about his strong connection with the class for they were entering into the high school as seventh graders at the same time he became principal. Ramsey also has a son who is a member of the graduating class.
“As with all families there are highs and there are lows, and we have been through them all together. We may not all be friends, in fact we may not even like each other from time to time, but we cannot ignore the impact we have had on each others lives,” he remarked. Ramsey continued with reminding them that everyone has a story and not to judge because you have no idea the challenges that they may be facing. He encouraged them to learn to appreciate everyone they meet because whether you like them or not they will help shape the person you are just like family.
The 2017 graduation class of Otto-Eldred Jr./Sr. High School is as follows: Melissa Allein, Tiffany M. Bair, Sarah K. Batt, Alex O. Benson, Keagan M. Bisker, Jordan C. Brown, Emilee J. Bruno, Alicia M. Burrows, Shane R. Cerklefski, Michael C. Chase, Kayla R. Christman, Cole E. Clancy, Kamille J. Connelly, Mackenzie M. Crowe, Seth D. Drummond, Jonah A. Engl, Justina A. Furman, Amber M. Greeley, Wyatt D. Gummo, Rhonda L. Hanes, Autumn L. Heller, Trenton T. Higley, Jacob D. Hollamby, Janelle E. Housler, Candace S. Lee, Colleen E. Lewis, John Aristher Gengia Manalaysay, Jasmine E. Mann, Derek M. McAndrew, Savanna H. McVinney, Mark S. Miller, William E. Morrison III, Zachary R. Murphy, Damen J. Palmer, Christoper L. Payne, Cormac M. Ramsey, Alexis B. Reitler, Kirsten D. Renninger, Korden M. Rounsville, Hannah R. Shroyer, Nathanael E. Shroyer, Molly E. Snyder, Brachele J. Valerius, Bryce K. Valerius, Theodore J. VanCise, Jacob P. VanScoter, Faith E. Wenner, Dylan J. Wilber, Rachel M. Wolfe, Kendra N. Wymer, Brookelynn P. York and Marion D. Young.
