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Photos by Hiroshi Onuma
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George Lippert (left) plans to study computer technology at Washtenaw Community College and Chad Nicks will study welding. They were among the 414 graduates to earn their diplomas Sunday from Saline High School.
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Graduating seniors returned Sunday in caps and gowns to the halls where their high school careers began when the 2007 commencement ceremony was held indoors at Saline Middle School, formerly Saline High School, as a result of rainy, stormy weather.
The class of 414 students spent their freshman year at the building on Maple Road before heading to the new high school campus for three years before graduating last weekend.
The gymnasium was wall-to-wall bleachers and folding chairs arranged to accommodate some 3,000 cheering family members and supportive friends who watched the graduates proceed down a center aisle lined by high school teachers and administrators in their faculty gowns and collars.
Saline High School Principal Jean Durst welcomed students and guests, and congratulated seniors, wishing them luck as they leave the district for further education and the workplace.
She said the students had earned more than $2.5 million in combined scholarship funds and that 96 percent will go on to college next fall. Seventy-six percent of seniors are planning to attend a four-year college or university, and 20 percent will start at two-year schools. Others plan to join the military, attend trade schools or join the work force.
Ninety-five students graduated with highest honors and 258 qualified for the Michigan Promise Scholarship, receiving $2,500 from the state for their top results on earlier assessment tests.
Respected cross country coach and former English and history teacher Michael Smith provided a light-hearted-yet-direct commencement address, reminding students to appreciate the immense changes in the world around them.
He directed graduates to go out into the world and form an opinion on matters important to them and respect others.
"Be on time, work hard and don't forget to say 'thank you,'" Smith said. "Finally, give your mom and dad a hug today and thank them for getting you through the last 13 years, and do not forget you are always a part of a larger community."
Class President Greg Monahan later asked parents to stand while his classmates applauded in appreciation, and announced the class has provided a donation for a new exterior sign for its alma mater.
In his address, Monahan said, "We will face obstacles in the future and, when that happens, we know we can fall back on the skills and education we gained here at Saline High. We will go confidently in the direction of our dreams and live the lives we have imagined."
View video coverage of Monahan's and Smith's speeches at www.heritage.com, and purchase photos from graduation at www.salinereporter.com.
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