IVHS Class of 2010 takes center stage
From our weekly issue dated June 09, 2010
Members of the Illinois Valley High School 2010 graduating class anticipate receiving their diplomas in Ken Mann Memorial Gym on Tuesday, June 1. (Photos by Scott Jorgensen, Illinois Valley News)
Tuesday morning June 1, Illinois Valley High School staff members still were unsure if the 2010 graduation ceremony should be held indoors or outdoors.
But as the day progressed, Mother Nature“s unpredictable spring weather had the final say, and the event was set for Ken Mann Memorial Gymnasium.
Proud parents, friends, well-wishers and community members packed the gym for the ceremony to honor the school“s 75 graduating seniors in the Class of 2010.
The appearance of flowered arch bearers marked the beginning of the ceremony, at which point IVHS teachers entered to a heroes welcome. A snare drum rattle provided the proper cue for the graduates to take their stroll amid camera flashes, smiles and more than a few tears.
Principal JoAnn Bethany said that the graduates had so far accumulated some 5,000 hours of classroom instruction during their lives. That adds up to $50 per hour, she said, when taking into account the $250,000 difference in lifetime earnings between graduates and dropouts.
Bethany described the high school experience as a “swinging bridge“ between childhood and adulthood and ignorance and knowledge.
“This is not the end of your journey,“ she said.
Prompted by the principal, many graduates stood to show that they plan to continue their education. Approximately a dozen stood to indicate their decision to join the military, earning an enthusiastic round of applause from the audience.
Introduced by students Sarah Parker and Jeff Coots, popular IVHS teacher Gary Enoch told the graduates that adulthood has its fair share of challenges.
“Life gets a whole lot tougher from here on out,“ noted Enoch.
Kirsten Valenzuela, also an IVHS teacher, was the keynote speaker. She provided a bit of advice for salutatorian Heidi Unger, who is known for her many extracurricular activities.
“In the near future, please make time for yourself,“ Valenzuela said.
In introducing Unger, Bethany also had some kind remarks.
“Heidi has the heart of a servant,“ Bethany said.
The speeches by Unger and valedictorian Eddie Goynes included many anecdotes about teachers, classmates and friends, as well as expressions of hope for the future.
Other highlights of the ceremony were a rendition of the classic Beatles song, All You Need is Love, by the IVHS choir; and senior Rebeckah Kaberline performing the class song, The Climb, made popular by Miley Cyrus of the television show, Hanna Montana.
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