The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Speakers lined up for ceremony
PUBLISHED: May 31, 2007
Mike Smith has been running with the fast crowd at Saline High School for 28 years and has this year was chosen to address the 415 graduates and families Sunday at commencement.
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Smith has coached track and girls' cross country since coming to Saline to teach English and American history and, though he retired from teaching two years ago, continues to coach year-round.
"He is so very well respected in the community and by the student body," said Brad Bezeau, Saline High School counselor. "He was invited to speak at commencement by the principal, counselors and class officers who all agree he is a natural choice to address our graduates."
Senior class president Gregory Monahan also will speak to the crowd 6 p.m. Sunday at Hornet Field.
Smith said while he was very honored to be asked to speak, he admits it's a bit intimidating.
"I think it's idealistic to think what I will say during commencement will have a lasting effect on these kids. It's a big day."
Smith already has made a lasting impression on the hundreds of girls who have gone through the successful Saline cross country program, said Susan Jones who has coached along side of Smith for years.
"He teaches, by example, the greatest of life's lessons in and out of the classroom," she said. "He teaches runners to have the desire, make the commitment, do the work and then reap the rewards."
Smith said he would ask graduates to look back at their 13 years of education and consider how much the world around them has changed in this short time.
"It's not the same world and it's important to keep it all in perspective. We are very lucky to live in this community and have this school. I hope they will appreciate it all," he said.
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