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Grain Valley, MO —
Commencement exercises for the 2012 graduating class of Grain Valley High School started a little differently than others throughout Eastern Jackson County.
Instead of the usual revelry and cheers, a moment of silence was held to remember those who lost their lives one year ago in a deadly EF5 tornado that tore through Joplin, Mo.
“One year ago today, on May 22, 2011, an EF5 tornado hit Joplin. It destroyed their high school along with five other school facilities,” said Grain Valley Superintendent Roy Moss. “Although a year has passed and rebuilding has begun, we need to remember those that were lost.”
Tuesday, 203 students received their diplomas from Grain Valley High School during a ceremony at the Community of Christ Auditorium. Among the 2012 graduating class are nine Missouri Bright Flight Scholars and 15 students who graduated with at least a 4.0 grade point average.
“It takes a whole community to educate a child, and the educational community of Grain Valley has done a great job educating you to prepare you for the next phase of your life,” Moss said. “You will need to be ready to take on our jobs and our responsibilities in society. We need your ideas, and we need your energy to fill those roles. May your future be bright and your lives filled with opportunity.”
Despite the somber start of the ceremony, the auditorium was livened up by two student speakers, Danielle Cunningham and Brandt Vircks.
Cunningham said the tests they have taken in high school have helped to prepare the class of 2012 for the challenges yet to come. She said it is crucial to never stop learning because the day learning stops, is the day they fall behind.
“Sometimes it is easy to get caught up on the destination when the path becomes difficult to navigate. But in reality, it is all about the journey,” she said. “All of us have something worth contributing or we wouldn’t be here. Remember that as you embark on the winding roads ahead.”
Vircks said the class of 2012 is the “new generation” and needs to be the generation that focuses on compromise to make a difference in the world.
“I see a great class before me who is capable of accomplishing great things,” he said. “We have worked together in this school to accomplish many things. We succeed because we decided to work together as a team.”
Eric Ball, a social studies teacher, was selected as the faculty speaker. He urged the graduates to not forgot about their history as they venture forward.
Commencement exercises for the 2012 graduating class of Grain Valley High School started a little differently than others throughout Eastern Jackson County.
Instead of the usual revelry and cheers, a moment of silence was held to remember those who lost their lives one year ago in a deadly EF5 tornado that tore through Joplin, Mo.
“One year ago today, on May 22, 2011, an EF5 tornado hit Joplin. It destroyed their high school along with five other school facilities,” said Grain Valley Superintendent Roy Moss. “Although a year has passed and rebuilding has begun, we need to remember those that were lost.”
Tuesday, 203 students received their diplomas from Grain Valley High School during a ceremony at the Community of Christ Auditorium. Among the 2012 graduating class are nine Missouri Bright Flight Scholars and 15 students who graduated with at least a 4.0 grade point average.
“It takes a whole community to educate a child, and the educational community of Grain Valley has done a great job educating you to prepare you for the next phase of your life,” Moss said. “You will need to be ready to take on our jobs and our responsibilities in society. We need your ideas, and we need your energy to fill those roles. May your future be bright and your lives filled with opportunity.”
Despite the somber start of the ceremony, the auditorium was livened up by two student speakers, Danielle Cunningham and Brandt Vircks.
Cunningham said the tests they have taken in high school have helped to prepare the class of 2012 for the challenges yet to come. She said it is crucial to never stop learning because the day learning stops, is the day they fall behind.
“Sometimes it is easy to get caught up on the destination when the path becomes difficult to navigate. But in reality, it is all about the journey,” she said. “All of us have something worth contributing or we wouldn’t be here. Remember that as you embark on the winding roads ahead.”
Vircks said the class of 2012 is the “new generation” and needs to be the generation that focuses on compromise to make a difference in the world.
“I see a great class before me who is capable of accomplishing great things,” he said. “We have worked together in this school to accomplish many things. We succeed because we decided to work together as a team.”
Eric Ball, a social studies teacher, was selected as the faculty speaker. He urged the graduates to not forgot about their history as they venture forward.
“History is the only living, breathing, full participation, crash course subject studied on a daily basis, if for no other reason than every second that passes, you have lived a part of history,” he said. “Your life dreams alter the course of events, accomplishments and the history of the world through impacts both grand and small.”
Graduate Heidi Clark said she is excited about graduating, but is nervous for what is to come. She plans on attending Truman State University this fall to major in romance languages and history.
“Our life has been progressing to this point and now we will be on our own,” she said. “I will miss my friends in Grain Valley and all of the teachers who have really influenced my life.”
Graduate Sarah Domsch said the past four years have all been leading to this day. She will be attending Missouri State University to major in graphic design.
“This is a culmination of all of our hard work,” she said. “I think what is most important for underclassmen to know is pay attention because education matters. It all matters in the end.”
