OHS Class of 2014 receives its diplomas
by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor
The 50th class to graduate from the current Onaway High School building, which opened in the winter of 1963-64, received diplomas and turned their tassels during the annual commencement exercise in the gymnasium.
Three valedictorians led the way during a ceremony filled with tears, bear hugs and wild cheers for one graduate with an entire cheering section in attendance.
Members of the Class of 1964 were invited and acknowledged during the ceremony.
Principal Marty Mix and superintendent Rod Fullerton fought through their emotions during opening speeches. That’s par for the course, but both men had special graduates sitting in front of them among the 46.
Fullerton’s daughter Sara was receiving her diploma, while Mix’s niece Rachel Nave was receiving hers. Both men had the honor of handing the diplomas to their respective family members.
Sara jumped into her father’s arms. Marty could not have looked more proud handing over the white case to his tearful niece.
Another highlight was seeing a section of fans all donning “Team Ramos” T-shirts stomping their feet in anticipation of Frankie Ramos Jr.’s name being announced. They leaped up and cheered enthusiastically as he walked toward the steps of the stage.
It was a ceremony filled with speeches from the Class of 2014’s highest ranking students; valedictorians Mariah Ehrke, Emily Glass and Fullerton. Jordan McKenize is the salutatorian and Sarah Marsh is the honor student and was the first to speak before a packed gymnasium.
“Years from now, when we have walked far from this place, just glance back every once in a while and remember the importance of this first step,” said Marsh. “How you bravely overcame this fear and it will then give you the courage to take on the next step.”
McKenzie imparted wisdom mixed with humor during her time in front of the podium.
“I would like to remind my soon-to-be classmates, today is the first day of the rest of our lives, but so is tomorrow. I would like to congratulate the Class of 2014 on a job…done!” said McKenzie.
The co-valedictorians then took their turns in front of the microphone.
Ehrke reflected on her school years. “Each year seemed to get easier and easier,” she said. “One, because our high school social status was rising and two, we actually started to enjoy high school. No longer were we annoying little freshmen. We were becoming the faces of Onaway High School and were proud to be Cardinals.
“It was always exciting to see yourself in the paper as an OHS student. Whether being student of the week or player of the week, getting that recognition gave you that special feeling similar to the feeling when your mom put your artwork on the refrigerator; feeling special and proud. Today we have that same feeling.”
Fullerton’s speech focused on the Class of 2014 losing competitions with other classes, whether it was class Olympics or homecomings, until they became seniors.
“Today we are the champions of high school, no matter how much losing we encountered these past years, we did it. The countdown is over.”
She continued, “We have to take what we’ve learned here these past 13 years and make our own dreams come true….I hope each of you has the courage to pursue all of your dreams.”
Glass said walking through the halls for the last time really brought back a lot of “first” feelings. “Your first love, first heartbreak, first time getting that grade you really worked for or your first time reaching that athletic goal. How about the first time you opened your upper classman locker and realized you only had two years left? Or that moment when it finally hit you that you’re a se
Band director Jennifer Smercina hugged each of her graduating seniors after they performed one last time for her. Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle graduate Robbie Haske was the first to receive his diploma.
The ceremony concluded with the turning of tassels and the spraying of silly string.
Then, it was time to not just say the high school graduation clichés, but live them by taking those first brave steps toward the parking lot.