With so many topnotch seniors to choose from, Benjamin Logan High School decided on three co-valedictorians for their 55th annual graduation ceremony on Friday, May 23. The three shared messages encouraging their classmates to have hope, take risks and be resilient.
High school principal Annette Ramga-Alatorre began the evening by asking the graduates “to reflect on your accomplishments and prepare for the milestones ahead.” She referenced four ways to succeed from the book Fish!: A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results: 1. Choose your attitude; 2. Be there; 3. Make their day; and 4. Play.
Alatorre then introduced the co-valedictorians one at a time, starting with Kelley Forsythe, an honor student who plans to study health science at The Ohio State University (OSU).
Sharing from the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11, Forsythe spoke of the universal truth that everyone needs hope. “For me,” she stated, “that hope is in Jesus Christ and his plan for me.”
Next was Tristan Sheets, who participated in student government and Business Professionals of America. He intends to take a gap year before pursuing his ultimate goal of becoming a pilot.
“Do not be afraid to take risks,” he told his classmates. “Do not be afraid of failure … but live each day to the fullest.”
Finally, Alatorre invited Dylan Vance to the platform. Vance also intends to go to OSU, where he wants to study finance on the pre-law track. His word for the class was “resilience,” referring to their ability to bounce back. By being resilient in the face of difficult situations, he believes they are all capable of doing great things.
After noting which “E”—enrolled, enlisted, employed—each senior chose, then recognizing the top students, followed by the presentation of awards and diplomas, Mia Stahler, senior class president, shared her closing remarks.
“Life can teach us so much,” Stahler said, “and there will always be moments of failure and success. But through it all, lead with faith and courage and embrace the experiences that lie ahead of us and not dwell on the past, but learn from them.”
