LIKE THE WIND YOU GO!
WENDY STIVER/THE EXPRESS The 26 seniors at Sugar Valley Rural Charter School line up before commencement Tuesday evening
Salutatorian Megan Shultz, second from left, poses with friends after the ceremony.
WENDY STIVER/THE EXPRESS William Deavor presents Valedictorian Lauryn Geisewite with one of the John Thomas Memorial awards.
arah Heichel gives Christopher Guiser a hand with his tassel.
Rachel Lehman was among the seniors who decorated their caps for the ceremony.
WENDY STIVER/THE EXPRESS The 26 seniors at Sugar Valley Rural Charter School line up before commencement Tuesday evening
Salutatorian Megan Shultz, second from left, poses with friends after the ceremony.
WENDY STIVER/THE EXPRESS William Deavor presents Valedictorian Lauryn Geisewite with one of the John Thomas Memorial awards.
arah Heichel gives Christopher Guiser a hand with his tassel.
Rachel Lehman was among the seniors who decorated their caps for the ceremony.
Sugar Valley Charter School graduates 26
By WENDY STIVER
wstiver@lockhaven.com
LOGANTON -- It seemed like the entire valley, and then some, turned out for Tuesday evening's 18th annual commencement at Sugar Valley Rural Charter School.
The high number of people packed into the school's multipurpose room, where 26 high school seniors became graduates, attested to the pride of families who believe in the small school and the education it offers.
Four of the seniors wore their Phoenix Award medals with their white caps and green gowns, indicating they had attended the school from kindergarten through 12th grade. They included the class of 2018's valedictorian, Lauryn Geisewite.
A tradition of recent years continued with the presentation of an artistic mural featuring the phoenix, the school's mascot, and dedicated to the graduating class. It will join others dedicated to previous classes and be displayed in the secondary building, but unlike any of the others, it was created with glass. The students who had a hand in the mural were asked to stand for enthusiastic applause.
With music performed by the school band, chorus, and Select Women's Choir, the commencement included speeches, awards, and diplomas, just as at any other school.
At this school, the goals of each student are read as well. The class of 2018's goals range from attaining a degree to entering the work force, earning EMT certification, joining the Navy.
The top two students both spoke about how their classmates had inspired them throughout the years at SVRCS.
They all shaped each other, said Megan Shultz, class salutatorian. She spoke about her classmates as "people I laughed with, learned with and people I got to grow with."
"You will never find another school on earth like Sugar Valley," she said.
As class valedictorian, Lauryn also had much to say to her fellow seniors.
"I believe that every one of you can succeed, no matter what you try," she said.
God has been her rock, she said, alluding to a theme of faith and prayer that ran through her commencement address.
She said "a very wise man" has told her over the years that happiness is a choice. "Thanks, Dad," she added, sparking a murmur of humor and appreciation from the audience.
Lauryn also offered this advice: "Let us not react to the things that hurt us, but let us respond with kindness and grace, because you never know when someone might need it."
"Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being your friend," she told her classmates. "Never forget what you are capable of and where you come from."
Rev. Scott Garman, senior pastor at Cedar Heights Brethren in Christ Church, got everyone laughing with a little story peppered with life lessons. They included, "The road of life is paved with flat squirrels that couldn't make a decision. Make a decision."
He told the seniors, "May you learn to love in this dance known as life, and may you receive all the success you deserve."
William Deavor, the school's administrative coordinator, presented awards to outstanding seniors, followed by the presentation of diplomas. The seniors then moved their tassels from right to left and became graduates. Several tossed their caps in the air as the class was officially presented by Tracie Kennedy, school CEO.
She told the students that Sugar Valley Rural Charter School would always be there for them throughout their lives.
She also referred to some of the quotes the students had chosen for their yearbook, including one from The Grateful Dead: "Like the morning sun you come and like the wind you go."