Ark Valley News - ‘Make it happen’

Valley Center High School graduates (from left) Austin Bell, Brianna Waters, Chase LaMastres, Kory Martinez and Lilian Collins look toward the audience after receiving diplomas and roses May 13 at Koch Arena.

‘Make it happen’
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: May 24, 2018

Graduates encouraged to forge their own paths

By Chris Strunk

They've seen tragedy and triumph, misery and victory.

On May 13, members of the Valley Center High School Class of 2018 saw each other all together for the last time.

On that day in Koch Arena on the Wichita State campus, 195 Hornets became alums and said goodbye.

“We have some very talented kids, from musically to athletically and everything in between," Hannah Love, class president, told The News. “… It's been a fun class to be able to be a leader of. It was a lot of fun. I am excited to plan our reunions to meet up again."

Love said the Class of 2018 will succeed.

“Continue on, no matter what anyone says," Love said when asked how she would encourage her fellow graduates. “People are going to put you down. You just have to persevere and push through. … They'll go far. Hornets always have a way of doing that."

During the ceremony, valedictorian Emma Girtz and salutatorian Sydney Martens encouraged graduates to live “life by design" as their worlds begin to change.

“Everything you've come to know the past 18 years is changing," Martens said. “… Make the most of every moment, be dynamic, learn to love and accept change, step out of your comfort zone, find strength in times of weakness, be resilient. … If there is any advice we can give you from this speech it's live your life by design, not by default."

Girtz said taking the next step in life might be difficult.

“But there is no doubt, the time has come to open a new door," she said. “Stop and enjoy your last moments as a Valley Center Hornet. Take time to thank those who helped you get where you are today. … This transition in life will only make us stronger."

Valedictorian Michael Turkali encouraged graduates to be thankful for their parents, friends, educators and successes as well as their mistakes and failures.

“Looking towards the future may seem like a bright idea for most of us, but it doesn't hurt to take a look back at what made you who you are and be thankful for what you had," he said.

Valedictorian David McCune also thanked the people who supported and encouraged the Class of 2018. He said he remembers the first day of his freshman year when science teacher Eugene Allyn said there were three types of students: ones who make it happen, ones who watch it happen or ones who wonder what happened.

“We are fortunate, because each day is a new chance to be a person who makes it happen," McCune said. “Be open to new ideas and possibilities that come your way."

Superintendent Cory Gibson used a Rubic's Cube to illustrate how the world has changed in 30 years.

Gibson said when he was young, he couldn't solve the Rubic's Cube. But now, with technology, it's an easy, five-minute chore.

“With an app, I simply took a picture of each side of the Rubic's Cube as it was, and then, it provided step-by-step directions on how to solve it," Gibson said. “… I contend that our best days are ahead of us, and the complex problems of today will be solved some day by you, the Class of 2018."

Principal Jamie Lewis thanked teachers, staff, families and friends for helping students earn their high school diplomas.

Derek Dunn, student body president, led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence to remember teacher Riley Greenwood and student Diana Lopez, who died during the school year.

The seniors in Madrigals sang the “Star-Spangled Banner" and the high school concert band played the processional and recessional.

Graduate Jeannie Qualls sang “Dreamer Medley," which was arranged by graduate Sam Price.

Valedictorians were Rachel Binau, Meghan Carlson, Cadence Ciesielski, Reagan Fischer, Girtz, Wyatt Lange, Chesney Lund, McCune, Katlynn Owens, Qualls, Ethan Sonneveldt, Ashley Thorne, Turkali and Pierce White.

Salutatorians were Madison Isham, Martens, Carson Orr, Kadin Pearson and Caleb Rains.

The class motto was “Our lives are before us. Our pasts are behind us. But our memories are forever with us."

Class colors were metallic purple, gold shimmer and white, while the class flower was the Laurel Mountain, which represents ambition, glory and victory.

Kylee Fink was class vice president, Brianna Waters secretary, Emma Meyer justice and Rains student council representative. Greenwood and Gavin Couvelha were class sponsors.