RCHS graduates 65 seniors
Bottle caps and canned string flew through the air as 65 new graduates joined the list of RCHS alumni in ceremonies Sunday. The ceremonies marked the last for RCHS principal Jim Connell, who will retire after 22 years at the helm. ?He is one of the longest serving high school principals in the state of Michigan at this time—quite a feat for probably what is the most difficult job in education. Thank you Mr. Connell for your dedication as a teacher, coach, and a friend to young people,? said Edward Schultz, superintendent of schools. Connell told the audience that introducing the class this year would be slightly different than all the previous years.
?I can say goodbye and wish you well and leave with you. I?ve enjoyed my time with the Class of 2004. Good luck and best wishes,? he said before presenting the class to receive their diplomas. Earlier in the ceremony, valedictorian Tim Cercone and salutatorian Katie Krueger offered their remarks to the class.
?We have come to the end in this part of our life, but it is here that we now begin our lives as adults, free to make our own decisions,? Krueger said. Cercone started with humor and finished with wisdom. ?Everyone in our high school lives have come together to guide us as far as they can, and they know that we can now make the most of our lives on our own. No matter where your path leads you, good luck and thank you for the memories and the help along then way,? he said.
Special music by the RCHS band, under the direction of Ed Wilbert, and the senior members of Voices in Harmony, under the direction of Bryan Mills, opened the ceremony. Class Night was conducted Friday at the high school.