WHS Graduation Goes Beautifully, and Luck Had Nothing To Do With It!

WHS Lions Pride Original Story:

by Eikaiva Boyer for the Walkersville High School Lion’s Pride

Walkersville High Schools parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends, gathered in the gymnasium of PNC Arena at Mt. Saint Mary’s to watch the ceremony of the 2016 graduates.

The ceremony started with a delay, starting at 2:15 because of so much traffic, and an accident due to so many attendants of the ceremony.

The seniors gathered in another gym talking amongst their teachers and friends about the excitement and the nervous emotions they were feeling.

“I’m nervous; it’s like the end of something I’ve been accustomed too, but it’s something new,” said Nicholas Smith.

“All the hard work has paid off. I’m excited, but nervous I might trip,” said senior Hanna Houck with a laugh.

“It’s a great feeling. I get to go to college and live a new part of my life,” said senior Ian Kellerman.

“Yes! I’m done with high school! I can start my new life now,” said senior Chase Ferguson.

“This is a big moment. It’s surreal that it’s the day of [graduation],” said senior Elizabeth Stone.

Senior Leiloha Ramen is the first graduate ever in her family to graduate from Walkersville High, “which is so exciting! I can’t believe I made it.”

“[Graduation] is so precise and strict so I’m scared I might fall!” said Tessa Brubaker.

“It’s so surreal that today is the day — it’s insane,” says Brianna Wilson.

Senior Nikki Kehl can’t wait to graduate because, “It’s going to be so hot in there. I just need to get out in the air conditioning.”

“It still hasn’t hit me that we’re graduating,” says senior Noah Stitely.

“It’s bittersweet,” says senior Alex Moore. His friend Robert Kirkwood adds, “It’s double bittersweet. You know, it’s the last time we’ll all be together. I’m gonna miss my best friends.”

“I’m just so excited to start a new chapter in our lives. As I walked into Walkersville High, it was like a sense of home; the teachers and students are so close,” said senior Sarah Tau.

“I MADE IT!” said senior Pat Sichette.

“I have so many mixed emotions, I’m sad but I’m excited to see what comes in the next chapter,” said senior Dominic Balou.

“I’m going to miss Walkersville, especially Ms. Stelma. I’m going to miss her laughter, and her craziness,” said senior Courtney Beird.

All of a sudden there was an announcement made in the gym where the seniors were, stating, “It’s time to get in line.” The seniors screamed with excitement.

“I’m so proud of them. I wish them all good as they move on,” said WHS counseling, Debra Phebus.

“What a joyful day to be able to see my first born grandchild graduate,” said grandparent Kev. Dr. Laura Lee Morgan. (graduate: Mikayla Miley)

“I am ecstatic but sad because this is the last graduation amongst my kids,” said Maria Foley.

“This is definitely a great place to have graduation. Each graduation has been memorable here. Plus, my son graduated with honors,” said Joe Foley. (graduate: Chase Foley)

“This is just a beautiful setting. My fondest memory of Conor at WHS was him scoring his first basket on the freshman basketball team,” said Denis Pickron. (graduate: Conor Pickron)

“This is our youngest one, I’m sad but excited, but also very proud of Allie. I’m so excited to see her next chapter in life. I’m also pleased with the administration here at WHS, including the staff as well. My fondest memory of Allie at WHS was her being the school mascot at the football games. We’d love to watch her do her thing on the sidelines,” said Troy Taylor. (graduate: Allie Taylor)

“Thank gosh it’s over!” said Bryan Tatum. (graduate: Danny Tatum)

WHS Alumni Class of 2013, Kaitilyn Ball said, “Today is the first step for them. These are some really cool graduates.”

“It’s a sense of loss and excitement. This is a wonderful class, and a wonderful group of kids. They have wonderful things ahead of them. My son Jonathan is graduating today and I couldn’t be happier for him. This is his new life and it’s his next step toward adulthood,” said teacher of WHS, Lynn Clark. (graduate: Jonathan Clark)

“I can’t believe my sister is graduating, having that I graduated two years ago,” said Dalton White. (graduate: Mckenzie White)

“I’m excited my first is graduating! I’m proud of all the achievements he’s accomplished and all the goals he’s exceeded at CTC in the welding program,” said Kelly Hines. (graduate: Michael Hines.

“I’m excited for the graduates but sad at the same time. This class had some of my favorites, I’ll miss them,” said teacher of WHS, Stacy Bureau.

Danny Rumpf, assistant principal, stated, “It’s like another day at the office, seeing these kids grow up. I’m excited for the kids.”

“I started working here when these seniors were freshman. I’ve seen how much they’ve all grown,” said assistant principal Jason Lininger.

“This is the day we’ve worked for all year. It’s a combination of everyone’s hard work,” said assistant principal Sheri Murphy.

The seniors of WHS entered through the huge gymnasium as the WHS band played beautifully as they came in.

Before the diplomas were given to the seniors, Principal Tracey Franklin gave a very moving speech to the class of 2016 about luck.

“How do you write a speech that’s as unique and relative to the memories that you share? Luck. Now there’s a word. Some people use the word luck as its a predetermined destiny that falls out of the sky and into your lap like it’s something you were to born to have like a winning lottery ticket. Luck. I often think of that word luck and how it becomes a blank statement for those that never attain success and only envy those who find it. Luck has absolutely no impact on lifetime achievement. Luck doesn’t show up at award nights or athletic banquets and take credit. Luck doesn’t walk through a classroom door and score a five on an advanced placement exam. Luck doesn’t climb on the bus for regionals or state track meets to apply for Nationals. Luck doesn’t know anything about acting or singing. Luck has never lifted a finger to help write more articles for Lion’s Pride newspaper that counted for more public stories than any other school in Frederick County.

“But I can tell you what luck does — luck will walk away when things get tough. Luck will disappear when mountains are too far and too high to run or climb a singles day’s work. Luck will mysteriously go missing for long periods of time. You won’t find luck in your cell phone and it surely doesn’t come in an app. Luck doesn’t have very little to do with your success — it even has less to do to help you get back up when you fall.

“Luck is not what sits beside your soul and builds your character. Luck doesn’t get you out of bed and go to class, or earn a paycheck, or serve our country. No, luck will have nothing to do with who you become because it has barely little to do with who you are. You are creative, you are innovative, and brilliant, inspirational, kind and generous. Luck may be fortunate to get in the backseat of a car just to watch your greatness.

“But remember luck has been only a tourist. It never stays in one place very long and it surely doesn’t visit those who work hard and stay focused on their dreams, because eventually luck realizes it’s not wanted. It’s not needed. Tomorrow’s leaders don’t have time to wait for luck. They just hope luck looks out for those that might stand in their way. I’m not going to say good luck to the class of 2016. That would be absolutely insulting. I’m going to say good luck to everyone else that tries to keep up,” finished Franklin.

Overall, there were 264 seniors that graduated today, 121 of those graduating with a 3.5 or above GPA. The class of 2016 earned over six million dollars in scholarships from different colleges.

Walkersville High School will miss our newest graduates for years to come. “Now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here.” -Neil Gaiman