OHS graduation delights students and parents alike
The Onaway High School gymnasium was filled to the rafters with parents, friends and relatives of the 71 seniors seated in front of the stage Sunday. The program began with introductions by High School Principal Matt Lukshaitis.
Superintendent Bob Szymoniak delivered the opening remarks. He spoke about the challenges that the graduates will face upon leaving the school and entering the world outside.
Salutorian Mylise Hext was the first student speaker. She said she thought for a long time about the perfect thing to talk about.
“I knew what I wanted to say but I could not think of the perfect way to say it until one day I came across a speech by Eleanor Roosevelt,” she said.
HEXT QUOTED the former first lady, telling the graduates, “Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints on your heart. To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.”
Another memorable quote she delivered was, “Anger is only one letter short of danger. If someone betrays you once, it is his fault; if he betrays you twice, it is your fault.”
Hext closed by thanking all of the people who helped during the high school years; friends, family, teachers and administrators, Mr. Lukshaitis, Mrs. Karsten, and Mrs. Diller for being a great class advisor.
“You have all made a mark on us that is unforgettable, and I cannot begin to say how much I appreciate everyone of you, and to my classmates congratulations and good luck with all of your future endeavors.”
HONOR GRADUATE Sara Karsten was thinking about time. “Looking back I can remember thinking, twelve years, twelve months, or even twelve weeks until graduation, but never anything like right now, about twelve minutes.”
She reminded her fellow classmates if there is one thing to remember about the experience, “Make sure that the next step you take is in the right direction you want to go in life.”
She delivered a short poem she had written for the occasion and concluded with the following lines:
“A thanks to every member, whether it be faculty, family, or friend, For all of the support that you took the time to lend, And to all of my classmates, for them and their fate, What of them we don’t know yet, but dear God, let it be great.”
VALEDICTORIAN and class president, Joseph Bednark, finished his high school career with a perfect, straight-A academic record.
This young man also has been noteworthy for his long curly locks. His shoulder-length hair was in evidence as he took the podium to address his classmates.
Bednark explained he stopped cutting his hair in the tenth grade. “At first I wanted to grow dreadlocks, a Jamaican hairstyle,” he said.
As he spoke Bednark moved away from the podium to a chair in the middle of the stage and a lady barber with hair shears stood behind him as he sat down.
He told the audience that he had decided to grow his hair for “Locks of Love,” a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children 18 years and younger suffering from long-term medical hair loss.
He said the hairpieces provided by the charity help to restore self-esteem and confidence to these children, enabling them to face the world and their peers. The majority of all hair donated to the group comes from young people.
As the valedictorian’s hair was snipped off in long bunches, the audience erupted in cheers and applause.
“Why do young people with permanent hair loss feel different from their peers?” he asked. “Where did they learn that outward appearance affects their self-esteem? They learned from the people they look up to.
“MANY PEOPLE shy away from anything that’s different. Our world should be more tolerant. Sick children are not the only ones harmed by prejudice.
“People are judged by their a
“This is the world we are entering but we can change it. Instead of cowering with everyone else under what is socially acceptable, let’s stand up.
“Instead of fearing each other, let’s help one another. Donate your hair, hold the door for someone, and maybe just use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ more often.
“Let’s use a little restraint also, when you see the guy with long hair strolling around the park. Don’t scowl when he waves at your kid.
“I hope the Class of 2005 faces these challenges and we knock them out,” Bednark concluded.