Central Junior High Graduating Class Reflects on Entering the 'Realm of Reality'

Gray clouds loomed in the sky, while sharp winds chilled attendees to the bone as they made their way inside of to see .

Nothing, however, could stop the joy and excitement radiating inside of the gym as friends and family searched to find a seat before the ceremony began.

As the 227 graduates, clad in white and green robes, marched into the gym, parents proudly beamed and snapped pictures as they watched their children who had been toddlers only ten years ago, now transition into teenagers.

This educational and developmental milestone created a range of emotions and thoughts for students and staff as they reflected on what the future would hold for the class of 2011.

For class speaker Sean Potempa, he viewed this time in their lives as finally entering into the “realm of reality.” Now they would begin to have to solidify career plans, choose what colleges they wanted to attend and face challenges never experienced before.

Nevertheless, he advised his fellow classmates to not let life’s ups and downs prevent them from enjoying every moment of it.

“Don’t take life so seriously that you don’t have fun,“ cautioned Potempa. “But don’t take it too lightly either, because God knows where you will end up.”

While Potempa encouraged students to live one’s to life the fullest, National Juniors Honors Society president and class speaker Abby Langevin encouraged her fellow students to not lose themselves in the pressures of high school temptations.

“As long as you stay true to yourself, said Langevin,” “you shouldn’t worry about what others think.”

While students understood they would be facing a new phase of life which would present new challenges, many couldn’t help but focus on the exhilaration of having new experiences and meeting new people.

For classmates Molly O’Neal and Emily O’Keefe they both said that they couldn’t help but be excited to meet new friends and have new experiences.

“I will miss going on class trips with friends, classmates and teachers,” said O’Neal, “But I’m very excited for high school because it will mean that I will have a fresh start at a new school with people I have never meet before.”

O’Keefe agreed, “I will miss all the people who aren’t coming to my new school, but I’m excited to meet new friends and experience a new school.”

While students gave each other wisdom about remaining true to themselves, being optimistic and having fun, District 124 Superintendent Dr. Diane Cody and Central Junior High School Principal Rita Sparks encouraged students to understand that the four years spent in high school, and the choices that they make during those years would have a major impact on their lives.

“When you were little, the biggest choices you had to make was whether or not you would choose between the squeaky toy, the stuffed animal or the Tonka Truck,” said Cody. “Now that your older every choice you make now has a bigger impact on your life.”

Sparks encouraged students to “construct your dreams, purse your goals, just keep trying and never, never, never give up.”

Finally, after the last speech was read, the moment that students had excitedly been waiting for had arrived, receiving their diploma.

After the final student crossed the stage and all 227 tassels had successfully been moved from right to left students marched out of the gym into the hallway. Many embraced each other, while others snapped pictures as they all celebrated the fact that they were proud new graduates of Central Junior High.

Congratulations Graduates!