Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 1997, Page 27

Description:	Kelsy Benckartphoto courtesy of Gunther RodatzGraduationFacts:When12:30 p.m.June 7WhereIU AuditoriumWelcomeTommy WigginsClass SpeechAlison PowellClass ChargeMike MooreChanging ofTasselsKelli WilsonClosingLori EllisonHighlightMr. Bill Lumbley,science, readingOh the Places YoullGo by Dr. Seusstime to sayseniors bid farewell to high schoolby John DvorakWith hair drippingand purple robesclinging, graduatescelebrated in ShowalterFountain among themermaids and soapsuds.At 12:30 p.m. on June7, 326 seniors, armedwith beach balls andsilly string, gatheredwith their families andfriends at the IndianaUniversity Auditoriumto receive theirdiplomas.The 124th AnnualCommencementCeremony includedfour class speakers andperformances fromSounds of South,orchestra and band.As the faculty walkedinto the auditorium, theorchestra played Marchfrom Scipio. The entrance of the seniorsfollowed to Pomp &Circumstance.Senior TommyWiggins gave thewelcome, which wasfollowed by the choir,band and orchestraperforming BattleHymn of the Republic.Senior Alison Powellthen stepped up to thepodium. Her classspeech carried themessage to make yourlives extraordinary.Powell said, Wemust keep our eyes openfor opportunities andtake risks even if theylead us down unfamiliarpaths. We cannot beafraid of the future.Senior Mike Moorethen gave the classcharge. He said, Ichallenge all of you togo out there and be oneof those names peoplewill know for generations to come. In 20years, I want to be theguy sitting next toGeraldo saying, Yeah,that guy who inventedthe cure for AIDS, Iknew him in highschool. The AcademyAward winning actress?I sat next to her inTrig.Moore finished with atoast to drinking,cheating, lying andstealing. May youdrink to your health,cheat death, lie to save afriends life and steal theheart of your true love.After the choir sangBridge Over TroubledWater, Principal Dr.Mike Riggle thanked theseniors for survivingrenovation and beingcrammed in likesardines.Riggle said, Yougave us more than weever expected, and morethan we could everrepay. Fifty-sevenstudents graduated withthe Indiana AcademicHonors Diploma, 90have earned the designation of PresidentialScholar, four have beenselected as HoosierScholars, and one wasnamed an IndianaAcademic All-Star.The class of 1997recognized one valedictorian. Senior JaneKang was chosen as thevaledictorian from 11seniors with a 4.0 GPA.Among the candidates,Kang earned the mosthonor points based onher selection of higherlevel courses.The diplomas werepresented by Riggle, andthe names read by Mr.Bill Lumbley, science,and Mrs. SusanMcGlasson, socialstudies. After thediplomas were given,Lumbley gave histraditional reading ofOh, The Places Youll Goby Dr. Seuss. Studentsgave Lumbley astanding ovation.Senior Kelli Wilsonled the changing of thetassels and Senior LoriEllison gave the closing.After the graduatesmarched out of theauditorium, manyjumped into ShowalterFountain. Some climbedthe mermaids whileothers avoided wet bearhugs. Senior Brian Fengsaid, It was great seeing everyone celebratethis turning point of ourlives in the fountain.Senior Nikki Bakersaid, It seemed like 13years of the thing we allknew came to an abruptfinish in a few hours.Along with this hugechange comes a littlefear.graduation 27
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/5278
Collection:	Bloomington High School South

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