Glenvar graduates 157
GLENVAR – Graduation programs proved useful for the friends and families of Glenvar graduates when temperatures started climbing toward 90 around 9 a.m. on June 10 at Glenvar High School’s graduation.
Yet when the sounds of the Warpipe Celtic Pipe Band drifted into the stadium, the fans fell silent as friends and families paused to watch the graduates take their final walk into the stadium as Glenvar students.
Glenvar High School's Class of 2011 take the field at their graduation June 10 in Highlander Stadium. Photo by Meg Hibbert
For graduates Emily Ganey, Latoya Haynes and Melissa Blankenship, the final walk held mixed emotions. Nerves about the ceremony were counterbalanced by the excitement of their accomplishments.
Though the graduates expressed excitement and anticipation about the future, their joy remained bittersweet as they remembered the fond memories of their high school years.
“I’m excited, but I know I’ll miss my friends at Glenvar,” Blankenship said.
The students said they believed they formed some of the strongest bonds with the graduating seniors while at Glenvar.
Family and friends fill the stands to applaud their favorite graduates. Meg Hibbert photo
“I’ll definitely miss my friends,” Haynes said. “It’s more like a family here at Glenvar.”
Valedictorian Nicholas Trinchere also emphasized the unity of the class in his speech.
“There is not a person graduating today that I haven’t shared a moment with,” Trinchere said.
As Principal Joe Hafey welcomed the students, family and friends at graduation, he congratulated the Class of 2011 for their success at Glenvar High School.
“They are filled with personality and they are very talented,” Hafey said.
Hafey pointed out the Class of 2011 had received more than $1.3 million in scholarships, further proving the talents and success of the graduating class. With the graduates’ high school years coming to a close, Hafey wished the class the best of luck as they set out on their future endeavors and reminded them of their potential.
“Whatever it is you choose to do in the coming years, it is certain that each of you is capable of lighting up your own corner,” Hafey said.
Highlander of Honor Hayley Field is backed up by the members of the Glenvar Vocal Ensemble .
With speeches by Valedictorians Trinchere, Lindsay Schnur, William Meredith, Chelsea Witt and Matthew Rosendahl, the day served as both a reflection on the past and a hopeful glimpse into the future for the graduates.
The valedictorians emphasized the helpfulness of the support system created by the students.
“All of you have helped me open doors into my future,” Meredith said.
The support system also served as a comfort for the graduates when they were preparing for the future.
“As we move on with our lives, we should know that we have more than 150 people supporting us,” Schnur said.
The families and friends of graduates came out in full force to serve as another support system for the graduates. When honor graduate Victoria Belcher walked onto the field, her mother, Kimberly Belcher, was brimming with mixed emotions.
“I’m excited that she’s an honor graduate, but I can’t believe she’s already graduating,” Belcher said. “I’m sad to see it come to an end.”
Though the doors on their high school years closed Friday, the Glenvar graduates leaned on their support systems created by the high school, their friends, and their families to prepare for the future.
“One thing will never change, we are Highlanders,” Witt said. “Glenvar will always be strength.”
– Katherine Chiglinsky
