Class of 2013 Looks to the Future

WAITSBURG - There are few occasions in life more filled with expectation than high school graduation. This ceremony, more than any other in our society, marks the shift from childhood to adulthood. The parents and teachers who have thus far provided care, authority and tutelage, step into a background role and watch as the young adults take the lead.

Waitsburg Valedictori- an Samantha Moss (3.972 GPA) spoke to those ex- pectations as she addressed the crowd and the 29 other graduates of the WHS class of 2013 at Friday night's graduation ceremony. Reit- erating the definition of the word 'expectation' Moss reminded listeners that ex- pectations are different for everyone and success can be achieved through a va- riety of paths. Moss shared this thought with her peers. "Here's an expectation for your future - Do what you want in life and what makes you happy. However, make sure you understand that this philosophy also has an expectation of being self- sufficient and a positive member of society."

Salutatorian Seth Deal (3.929 GPA) quoted Win- ston Churchill saying, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." He exhorted fellow graduates to stand strong in facing the inevitable adversities that life will throw their way and to work hard in overcoming challenges.

Deal cited successful basketball player Michael Jordan, who was once cut from his high school basket- ball team, and competitive surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost an arm to a shark attack, as examples of per- severance through difficulty. Deal encouraged his peers to develop the character quali- ties of hard work, dedication and resilience. "Life will throw you every curve imag- inable," said Deal, "How will you respond?"

"The moment may be temporary but the memory is forever," was the chosen motto of the class of 2013. Honor student, Zacharie (Zac) Brown (3.818 GPA) spoke to those memories when he recalled their first grade responses to the traditional question, "What do you want to be when you grow up." Brown recalled that while three young ladies wished to be Power Puff girls, the rest of the class aspired to more traditional goals of President of the United States, veterinarians or mommies.

Honor student Alex Leathers (3.851 GPA) quot- ed Thomas Edison saying, "genius is only 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration," as he spoke on the impor- tance of developing an at- titude of perseverance and a spirit of gratitude. Leathers reflected on the many occa- sions he and fellow class- mates wanted to give up, thanking the WHS faculty and staff that was always there to urge them on.

Leathers defined the phrase "Imagineering", coined by the Disney Com- pany, as "imagining your dreams and engineering them into reality." He urged his fellow graduates to "hellip; continue 'Imagineering' as you continue your journey and may we never forget to give prayerful gratitude each and every day for the bless- ings in our lives."

Following the speeches, a group of graduates gath- ered around the piano and, accompanied by pastor Michael Ferrians, performed a touching rendition of, "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey.

The class of 2013 earned over $64,000 in scholar- ship money, with Seth Deal and Zac Brown receiving top awards of $16,951 and $15,275, respectively. Sam Moss was next in line with awards of $7750.

Moss, Deal, Leathers and Brown were recognized along with classmates Ben Shaffer, Logan Dozier, Katy Hofer, Krystal Harris, Da- kota Baker, Damien Pope, Samantha Henze, Jessica Fox, and Alex Dill for being members of the National Honor Society.

Dalton Estes, Cheyenne Froerich, Alex Hays, Jen Nichols, and Maddie Witt also wore honor cords.

FFA Medallion awards, earned by active participa- tion in FFA all four years of high school, were worn by Seth Deal, Krystal Harris, Carolyn Brooks, Brandon Gusse, Kelcey Scott, Maddy Witt, and Cheyenne Froh- reich.

Riley Stevens, who has enrolled in the Air Force and been accepted into the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), was recog- nized by High School Principal Stephanie Wooderchack, and received a standing ova- tion from the crowd.

Zac Brown, Krystal Harris and Damien Pope have also earned their Associate of Arts Degrees through the Running Start program at Walla Walla Community College and will receive those degrees at the June 15 WWCC graduation.

After the presentation of diplomas, class president Ben Shafer led the class in the tradition of turning the tassel and mortarboards were tossed exultantly into the air. The class of 2013 receded en masse to the strains of Bachman Turner Overdrive's, "Ta- kin' Care of Business".

Note: A complete list of scholarships received by WHS graduating seniors in shown on page 8.