Noxon seniors graduate

NOXON – In an intimate setting at the Noxon High School, the Red Devils took their first step into the future and out of high school life - graduating from many years of schooling and moving into a future with many unknowns.

The gymnasium was decorated in the Red Devils school colors with red and white balloons lining the stage where the graduates would sit and red and white roses filling the front of the stage.

Principal Joshua Patterson welcomed family and friends to the ceremony and guidance counselor Juanita Triplett welcomed Casey Chenoweth to the stage for the presentation of the salutatorian.

Chenoweth once again welcomed everyone in attendance.

“Today as a class we can celebrate our success of completing our high school career and the beginning of an incredible journey,” Chenoweth. “Not only do we embark on new adventures, we take a leap out of our comfort zones and embrace the world and its vast opportunities.”

Chenoweth told her class that she would keep the millions of memories she has with each and every one of them to a minimum, saving them from the possible embarrassment.

“To start off, I want you all to stop and take a deep breath. Let this moment sink in and the significance of it wrap around you,” said Chenoweth. “It was not all that long ago, we were thinking this day would never come but yet here we are. In one piece I might add.”

Chenoweth described some of what the class had been through, the many highs and lows that each experienced – fighting their own battles and conquering what demons stood in the way.

“We have also struggled with overcoming mountains and have prevailed against challenges put before us,” said Chenoweth. “We have grown considerably over the time we have spent together – physically, emotionally and mentally.”

As she expressed her joy, she said she could not have been more proud of her classmates and thanked them for all the amazing memories she created along the way.

“I know you all will go far in life and accomplish much. You are all so incredible in your own way and have a lot to offer this world. I have watched you all grow over the years and know that you are ready to take the next step in your lives whether you believe that yourselves or not,” said Chenoweth.

She offered advice to her fellow graduating seniors, telling them that life is indeed hard but they need to take the world by storm, look inside themselves and trust themselves.

As she went into congratulating the parents, family and friends in raising such confident men and women, she went on to thank those closest to her for the help and advice they have given her throughout the years.

“Only a little bit longer and we’ll be walking out that door, diploma in hand and on our way. I just want to remind you no matter where you go in life remember your roots and that once you are a Red Devil you are always a Red Devil,” said Chenoweth.

Valedictorian Brandon Piazzola took the stage next and through some technical difficulties with the microphone, delivered an uplifting speech.

Piazzola discussed how happy he was that he attended Noxon – a school that offered him an endless amount of opportunities. He personally thanked all the teachers for what they have taught him throughout the years.

Reflecting on the next step of the journey, Piazzola said he was going to miss all of his friends at the school.

“You won’t find a more tightly knit school anywhere and I am glad that I was a part of it,” said Piazzola addressing his 14 other classmates. “I would like to thank all of my friends for making these past years memorable and ones that I will never forget.”

Last of all, Piazzola thanked the community for their never-ending support as well as his family for their help throughout the years.

“I’m so glad I have been able to grow up in Noxon and live in such a great place. It is going to be hard to leave but know this isn’t goodbye, it is just see you later,” said Piazzola.

As Piazzola left the podium class president Reina Rodriguez introduced Mrs. Grupenhoff as the guest speaker.

In a tearful and emotional speech, Grupenhoff ventured down memory lane listing some of her favorite memories and experiences with the 15 students about to graduate, watching them grow before her very eyes into the young adults of today.

“You walked in here as the graduating class of 2013 and when you walk out

You will always be this group of kids. This class,”

Starting tomorrow the choices that you make and the paths that you take will have a great impact on your lives,” said Grupenhoff discussing the decisions in front of them of find a job and a career. “You will always have a choice to change everything in order to find the right place, the right job, the right life you want to live. It’s never too late to change.”

Grupenhoff explained that with choices come consequences, going on to say that each decision the kids will have to face will have a consequence to it, whether it be positive or negative. But whatever that choice may be, Grupenhoff stressed its never too late to take a step back and make a change.

“Remember yours is not the only story being rewritten…It is important to remember you cannot control everything,” said Grupenhoff in her heartfelt speech encouraging the students to do whatever they wanted in their lives.

After Grupenhoff concluded her speech, awards and scholarships were awarded to the Noxon seniors with a grand total of $45,160.

The fifteen students then took the walk that would forever change their lives. As each one of them received their diplomas, the crowd applauded each student for their hard work and dedication. The class was presented and just like that, the young adults began the next chapter in their lives – a chapter that was long anticipated and one that will no doubt hold many surprises for them.