One of the Rebels, Nicholas Stevens, received an award for having perfect attendance throughout high school. People in the crowd murmured, "How did he do that?" and "You don't hear that every day" as Stevens accepted his award.
Valedictorian Arlene Rivera said that standing before them as their valedictorian always had been a dream of hers. She thanked her parents, teachers and friends for supporting her in that achievement.
She reminded her classmates about the thousands of stories from high school, and that they might enjoy remembering them in the future.
"The past can comfort, but the present brings with it the joy of being alive," she said.
Salutatorian Danielle Higgins is as unsure of her future as anyone else in the room, but the real world was waiting on the other side of the doors, she said. The important thing in life is to learn from any and all mistakes, question everything and think outside the box, she said.
Class President Jordan Kirby announced the graduates' gift to the school - a monetary donation meant for a new scoreboard for School Stadium.
The ceremony's guest speaker, Bernadette Wagner of the Washington County Board of Education, called the graduates members of the "millennial generation."
The experts, she said, debate whether this generation will usher in a culture of duty, civic responsibility and teamwork or whether its members will focus more on their personal needs and satisfaction.
"Let the experts talk," Wagner said. "Embrace new ideas, challenge yourself, be yourself."
Number of graduates: 268
Valedictorian:
Arlene Rivera
Salutatorian:
Danielle Higgins
On the Web
Read about all the Tri-State-area graduations and view hundreds of pictures on our Web site at www.herald-mail.com. Just click on the Photo Store icon and click Graduation - Class of 2008.
