Northeastern grads take a final tour

Though the threat of thunderstorms forced the ceremonies inside, Northeastern High School graduated its class of 2009 on Tuesday.

Before the students proceeded into the gymnasium, they were led on an emotional final tour of the school by the faculty, a Northeastern tradition.

The students made sure to make an appearance in the auditorium, where overflow audience members where getting ready to watch the ceremony via closed-circuit television.

After the students were settled, assistant principal Jay Kipp welcomed the students and the audience to the district's 51st commencement ceremony.

Before handing the reins over to school board president William Gingerich for the opening remarks, the school honored a fallen friend.

In a touching ceremony, a candle was lighted for Siearra Winslow, a Northeastern student who was killed in a car accident last December. Siearra's diploma was then presented to members of her family.

Bobcat pride: Gingerich then took the stage to address the graduates about pride.

"I've always felt strongly about Bobcat pride," said Gingerich. "You should feel that same sense of pride."

However, Gingerich said, it is up to the students to continue to make Northeastern proud.

"Make a positive difference for the community in which you live" urged Gingerich. "Do your part and make your community even more proud of you than they are tonight."

Student speakers: Gina Annichiarico, the class's vice president and first

of the night's three student speakers talked to her classmates about how even though they have changed over the course of the years, they are still the same little kids with big dreams.

After Annichiarico finished, principal Matthew Gay presented the honor students and those students who are military-bound. The senior class government then recognized the district's two exchange students and the senior class faculty advisors before the next student address, given by class president Christina Wolf.

The theme of Wolf's address was "expectations of today." Wolf said she told her 7-year-old cousin she was writing a graduation speech about the present.

Her cousin misunderstood, thinking that the school was giving the students presents.

But Wolf said the confusion made her realize the district had given students many important gifts, such as the feeling of accomplishment and congratulations for their achievement.

Ending her speech, Wolf said simply, "Thank you for the presents."

A journey: After Gay presented the students with diplomas, and district superintendent Robert Tabachini declared them graduates, class valedictorian Brittany Hughes addressed her fellow graduates for the final time.

"Now we need to turn a new page and begin a new journey," Hughes told her classmates.

Hughes said that now is the time for her class to "make their hopes, dreams and expectations their own," and urged her classmates to "live your own life."

"Thank you very much, and congratulations to all of you," Hughes ended, and with that, Northeastern's class of 2009's high school journey was complete.

-- Reach Andrew Ru sonis at 854-1575 or news@yorkdispatch.com.