News

Lake-Lehman

June 28, 2008

Seniors finally have their day

School year was stretched by month-long teachers strike.

JANINE UNGVARSKY Times Leader Correspondent

LEHMAN TWP. – Some thought it would never come. Others knew it had to – eventually.

The moment finally came Friday night, and when the last member of the Lake-Lehman High School Class of 2008 finally received his diploma, the celebration was jubilant.

Beach balls bounced over the new graduates, poppers sent streamers and confetti high in the air and 154 black and gold caps sailed towards the rafters of the John Zaleskas Gymnasium as the year stretched by a month-long teachers strike came to an end.

“I’m relieved that we’re finally done. I didn’t think today would ever come,” said Taylor Mack.

The Shavertown resident said that it felt “awesome” to graduate, and that she was “ready to go on to bigger and better things,” like studying business at Wilkes University.

“It’s about time, that’s all I can say!” said Noxen resident Leigh Ann Kern.

The future Cedar Crest College art and marketing major said she was impatient to get the year over, and now that it finally was, “I feel awesome!”

“I’m excited,” said Rachel Walsh, Sweet Valley. “I finally graduated. It’s finally here. And I think because it took so long, it’s even more exciting.”

While she will begin her study of physical therapy at Luzerne County Community College, Walsh said she’ll miss her high school days.

“I always wanted to graduate from Lake-Lehman. I’ll miss my friends. I’ll just miss being here.”

Kevin Price, who plans to attend Johnson Bible College to study youth ministry, knew that the end of the year was “inevitable” despite the strike delay. And while the Sweet Valley resident said he was “very happy” to graduate, he had at least one regret about moving on.

“I’ll miss all the friends that I made,” he said.

Salutatorian Jordan Elizabeth Anderson was one of several class speakers to emphasize the many wonderful memories her class – the 50th to graduate from Lake-Lehman – has shared.

She reminded the class about their motto, a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote about going where there is no path and leaving a trail. “Now it is your turn to go continue to make a trail that is exclusively yours,” Anderson told the class.

Before dismissing them for the final time, Superintendent Jim McGovern told the class to stop and thank their parents, calling them the heroes of the education process. He reminded graduates of the great gift of unconditional love they have received from their parents.

“They have seen you as a diamond when all you have seen is a lump of coal,” McGovern said.

When they feel like giving up, McGovern told the graduates, “Take your time, look in the mirror and see yourself as the diamond your parents see.”

After the ceremony, McGovern said this class “persevered and came together as a family.” When they look back on their time at Lake-Lehman, McGovern said, “I hope they reflect on the entire educational journey, not just the last two years. The last two years were difficult but at the same time, they learned some valuable lessons in life.”

EDITOR’S NOTE

For more photos, check out our special graduation section coming in July.

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