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May 21, 2009

Velma-Alma graduates 30

Derrick Miller

VELMA — The seniors of Velma-Alma High School met at a crossroads Thursday night. Each robed themselves in traditional school colors and crowned their heads with mortarboards.

These 30 students found attention from their peers, families and teachers as they came to the end of their childhood and were propelled into adulthood.

The four valedictorians: Danica Brown, Kayli Dyer, Shelby Hays and Emily McNeill; and the salutatorian, Shelby Brown, were all given the opportunity to speak about their high school experience and their expectations for their entrance into the world.

Shelby Brown said she worked hard throughout high school, and graduation was the result.

“All of my hard work has finally paid off,” Brown said. “I can’t help but wonder how I made it this far.”

As part of her speech, she shared advice with her classmates, words for them to take for a successful life.

“With determination comes courage,” Browns said. “You’re more likely to reach your goals if you try.

“Recognize you own faults. Recognize your goals and dreams. Have self-respect.”

She said success extends from learning from failures and finding ways to improve.

“It’s time for us to wake up and get a clue,” Brown said. “We really should be happy. We made it. We did it.”

In Danica Brown’s address, she said success comes from dreams. Following those dreams and always striving to achieve is how success is reached.

“It isn’t about the success,” Brown said. “It isn’t about the failure. It’s about the courage.”

Dyer said her high school career was enjoyable because of her classmates.

“I just want to thank you all for making my high school years so great,” she said. “So, guys, let’s graduate.”

For Hays, the commencement ceremony marked a milestone in the lives of all the seniors.

“This is the day we’ve been waiting for,” she said. “We finally made it.

“We have the whole world in our hands. Don’t be afraid to go on and do it.”

McNeill, who also celebrated her birthday Thursday, said she was sad to have come to the end of her high school career but awaited the adventures in her future.

“It’s exciting to know the rest of our lives are ahead of us,” she said.

In addition to the students, there was a commencement speaker. This year’s speaker was Bill Brown, a 1950 Velma High School graduate.

“When you leave, we’ll have something in common,” Brown said. “You’ll be alumni. You’ll also be called ‘adults.’”

His secret to success was outlined with several targets. These included getting priorities right, being grateful, following one’s own heart and dreaming big.

“Who knows what’s better for you than you do?” Brown said. “Don’t bow to peer pressure.

“You’ll adjust your lifestyle to what your salary is.”

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