AUGUSTA – Thunder rolled and lightning cracked but Mother Nature was not loud enough to drown out the celebration at the Augusta Civic Center as Oak Hill High School congratulated its 112 graduating seniors.
In a speech during the Monday night ceremony, Vice Principal Patricia Doyle urged students to practice five values dear to her: honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness and compassion.
“You are stepping into a world of citizens with the full rights and responsibilities of adulthood,” she said. “A world of global challenges that will require each of you to become a contributor, grounded in ethical values and strong enough to be the definition of moral courage.”
Courage is what student speakers Christopher Curran and valedictorian Stacy Bartos had to muster to address their graduating class.
After recapping the class’ high school career, Curran gave fellow classmates parting advice. “Don’t make animal sounds while dancing. Don’t wear white clothing under a wet suit and be careful not to sit on Silly Putty,” he said. “High school wouldn’t be nearly as fun without (laughter). Learn to laugh at yourself and enjoy it.”
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it,” Bartos said, quoting Confucius during her farewell speech. “Make it a point in your life to notice the wonders of life.”
Warning fellow graduates that life may not always go as planned, she urged those who face misfortunes to push on. “Learn from your mistakes. Mistakes are opportunities to learn something new,” she said before quoting ESPN sports analyst Al Berstein. “Success is often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction.”
Staying true to tradition, the ceremony paid special tribute to those who have contributed to the students’ lives. Flooding the Civic Center in a sea of blue and white gowns, students ventured out to distribute roses to friends and family members. “This is a tradition the students love to keep,” Doyle said.
Laughter and water-filled eyes punctuated the crowd as loved ones embraced each other after the changing of the tassel. Message-bearing caps filled floor, some decorated with pictures and flashy sparkles.
“This was a unique class and will be missed a great deal,” Doyle said. “I wish each and every one of you love, peace and success.”
The Class of 2005 was the 29th graduating class of Oak Hill High School.
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