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  • Elkhart High School Class of 2012 graduates throw their caps into the air at the end of commencement Friday at the Palestine Civic Center. CHERIL VERNON/Herald-Press

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May 27, 2012

2012 Elks make final stroll

By PAUL STONE Palestine Herald-Press

PALESTINE — Seventy-five members of Elkhart High School’s Class of 2012 were awarded diplomas Friday night before an overflow crowd at the Palestine Civic Center.

School officials said during Friday’s ceremony that Elkhart seniors are scheduled to receive scholarships totaling almost $750,000.

Valedictorian Chance Coppedge and  Salutatorian David Johnson addressed the gathering, while fellow senior Cooper Grounds gave the “Class Address.”

Former Elkhart Independent School District Superintendent Mike Moon, who retired this past fall, presented diplomas to the departing seniors as their special guest. Moon was a long-time Elkhart educator who served as elementary school principal during the class’ formative years.

Coppedge, who has received a Presidential Scholarship from Baylor University, told his classmates that high school graduation was a milestone, not a destination.

“Because in high school, get real, we’re all still growing up,” Coppedge said during his valedictory address. “You can’t be at your absolute best in high school because you’re not a finished product. I think the big thing that graduation shows is you have to move on...I believe it is necessary.”

While saying he was not discouraging his classmates from holding on to “high school memories,” Coppedge cautioned that they should be looking into the future and not the past.

“If you spend your time focusing on what was, then you’ll miss what’s right in front of you at the moment,” Coppedge said.

“Graduation is not meant to mark the pinnacle of our success,” he continued, “but rather the foundation. It’s up to us how we will effectively use that foundation.”

Johnson inspired his fellow seniors with a similar message during his salutatory address.

“Graduation is not the end,” Johnson said during his remarks, “but the beginning of something great.”

From here, the 2012 EHS salutatorian said some of the class’ graduates have committed to serving in the U.S. military, while others are planning to pursue a career in the medical field. All, regardless of their different  career choices, are prepared for success, he said.

“The students of this class are leaving Elkhart High School with an education that will  allow us to do whatever we choose,” Johnson said. “This life is yours. It’s up to you to make it a great one.”

During his class address, Grounds left his classmates with some words of wisdom provided earlier in the day by his grandfather.

“’Cooper, work’s hard,’” said Grounds, paraphrasing his grandfather.

 ————

Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com

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