Superior celebrates class of 2013

The gym at Superior High School was filled to capacity Sunday, as friends and family of the class of 2013 gathered to see the graduating seniors off into the next chapter of their lives.

After the seniors walked down to their places at the front of the gym, High School Principal Allan Labbe introduced the three valedictorians - McKenzie Cooper, Nicole Stroot and Hillary Stevens – to the audience and each gave a brief speech to attendees and fellow classmates.

“Many you have helped us become the people we are today and you have been instrumental in teaching us the lessons we needed to learn to grow,” Stevens said. “Most of the people who inspire me are sitting right behind me – the class of 2013 has been the greatest group of people I have lived with. You all allow your own light to shine and because of that I have been inspired to do the same.”

Stevens continued by saying that each of her classmates has left a mark on her life through memories she will never forget. Memories like Kenny Stockard trying to beat Myranda Kuhl at tennis or Deedra White having her bags packed for the annual senior trip three weeks in advance.

“We’ve helped each other out in tough situations,” Stevens said. “Like when Mr. Labbe and Mr. Bishop took our class to hike up some really steep terrain – without warning and without water. We are such a close knit class because of the way we support each other and the way we appreciate the things about each other that make us individuals.”

Stevens then took the time to thank individual teachers at Superior for helping the seniors along their high school journey and the importance each one of them played in their personal development before ending with a message to her class.

“I hope as you go out into the world, class of 2013, you all continue to inspire people with your light as you did to me,” Stevens said. “My greatest thanks go out to you all for laughing with me, crying with me, possibly fighting with me, and always supporting me. Congratulations class of 2013 – we did it!”

Labbe then introduced salutatorian Kate Bullock, who gave a brief speech to attendees – beginning with a quote her mother used in her own graduation speech.

“There are two things we should give our children – one is roots and the other is wings,” Bullock said. “This same quote my mom used in her salutatorian speech, which goes to show how timeless this piece of advice is. Today I would like to thank those that gave me roots and those that gave me my wings.”

Bullock thanked her parents and family for giving her both roots and wings as she matured and progressed through life.

She also thanked teachers who “saw things in me I didn’t see in myself” and helped her grow as a student – including the late Jim Cox.

“I’d like to take a moment to remember Mr. Cox for the beloved teacher and father he was and remember the special connection with the students,” Bullock said.

Bullock concluded by saying that although the class of 2013 was beginning to spread its wings, they should never forget the people who helped them establish their roots.

With the valedictorian and salutatorian speeches concluded, Labbe took to the podium to individually announce a multitude of academic scholarships that the class of 2013 received. When they were all announced, over $100,000 worth of scholarships were given to the graduating class.

A slideshow and video created by the graduating seniors was then played prior to a rose ceremony in which the class gave out roses to parents.

Labbe then introduced the commencement speaker, Mike Wood, “the captain” of the staff at Superior High School who is retiring after 41 years as well as serving as the mayor of Superior for nine years.

“Thank you class of 2013 for inviting me,” Wood began his speech. “We are here to celebrate the class of 2013 graduating…you made it. We both did. We are both graduating. You did it, congratulations.”

Wood then went on to describe the uniqueness of the graduates, their talent in athletics and academics as well as other extra-curricular activities before giving the students advice for their future endeavors.

“Set goals. Think about your goals and base your decisions on those goals,” Wood said.

Wood also spoke of the importance of forgiveness in life. Of the importance to forgive others rather than seeking revenge and beginning a vicious cycle.

In concluding his speech to the graduates Wood spoke of the lessons he learned while teaching for 41 years and the importance of those lessons before sending the seniors off with a final thought.

“I’m at the end of my career and you’re just at the beginning of your dream,” Wood said. “Thank you for the privilege of teaching you. Go with God and we expect great things from you.”