Hot Springs sends its seniors into the world

Twenty-one seniors from Hot Springs High School are spreading their wings and embarking on the next phase of their lives.

Twenty-one seniors from Hot Springs High School are spreading their wings and embarking on the next phase of their lives.

Some are going onto college, some moving into the workforce, but they all have one thing in common: they officially graduated from high school on Sunday afternoon at a heartfelt ceremony dedicated to their achievements.

The remarkable senior class had their commencement ceremony in the high school gym on Sunday, celebrating not only their graduation and next step into the real world, but the $237,900 in scholarship money the senior class has earned in total from various organizations.

The commencement ceremony opened with a speech by salutorian Adrielle Massey, who wrote an entertaining poem about her fellow classmates.

"Devon (White) has a great smile and Miranda (Adams) a fantabulous sense of style," chimed Massey.

Following Massey's speech, a teary-eyed Sean Estill took the stage as the guest speaker, remembering the moments shared with the 21 seniors, giving them well wishes and words of encouragement for their futures.

Estill first commented on the past, saying what a remarkable job the seniors have done with the Bigs and Littles programs, where the seniors take middle school students under their wings throughout the year.

"These guys have been an outstanding force in the Bigs and Little's program. These seniors are a part of their (middle school and elementary students) lives on a day-to-day basis and have done a wonderful job," said Estill.

Estill used the metaphor of a pond to remark on the impact they can have on the world now that they are moving on into adulthood.

Just like a pebble can make a ripple effect in a pond, they will each make their own ripple effects on whatever goals they attempt to achieve in their lifetime.

"Throw a rock into a pond, you see a splash and rings that travel out from there, it's the idea that each day you make this splash and send these ripples out into the world," said Estill.

Following Estill's speech was a slide show showing how each student has grown throughout the years.

Valedictorian Abi Retallick was the next to speak touching on the students' legacy in Hot Springs and the challenges they may face when they go out into the world, but how important their education has been and will be in their future.

There were 21 awards and scholarships given to selected students from the Hot Springs senior class to aid them in their collegiate futures.

Congratulations class of 2010!