del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Google
Facebook
What's this?
And several of them used it to challenge fellow students to continue their journey from William Penn Senior High School into the world.
Hundreds of relatives and friends gathered at the Toyota Center at the York Expo Center to see 245 students graduate from the high school.
Before they received their diplomas, the graduating students heard from three of their classmates.
Bianca De La Cruz, the class president, took her fellow students on a journey, reminding them of how they were once eighth-graders who were excited about going to the high school, but afraid they'd get lost on their way to classes.
They spent their freshman year in trailers set up in a parking lot adjacent to the school, which was undergoing partial reconstruction, she recalled. But they faced their excitement and fears as sophomores working toward one goal -- graduation, De La Cruz said.
"By 11th grade, we had no more worries
about getting lost," she said. "We formed strong bonds with teachers and coaches and formed a great appreciation for our teachers."
Several times during her speech, De La Cruz was overcome with emotion and paused, but the crowd cheered her on.
"We had our ups and downs, smiles and frowns," she said. "Now this is the end of our high school days. May we have a safe and exciting trip along the way."
Letting go: Continuing the journey beyond high school means letting go of childhood, said class valedictorian Jordan
The student said he often hears encouragement that he will be fine in the "real world" that includes having a job, car, money and other responsibilities. But the 2007 graduates can succeed by staying away from drugs, crime and negative behavior they see on television, Stabley said.
"You can choose your future," he said.
To show her fellow students the importance of being a part of the Class of 2007, class salutatorian Shapri Generette talked about the significance the number seven has in society.
There are seven digits in a phone number, seven continents in the world, a seven-year itch, seven colors in the rainbow, seven virtues, seven deadly sins and Snow White and the seven dwarfs, she said.
There's that "smooth" secret agent James Bond, known as 007. And if you get thirsty, buy a 7-Up, Generette said.
She encouraged her fellow graduates to make the Class of 2007 a successful and memorable part of society no matter where they go in the world.
"It has taken each of us a great deal of hard work and effort to get to 2007," Generette said. "No matter where we are, we have the ability to show up, show out and show off."
-- Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at 505-5438 or emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.
William Penn Senior High School Class of 2007 Graduation held: June 7 at the Toyota Arena
Number of graduates: 245
Valedictorian: Jordan Stabley
Salutatorian: Shapri Generette
