Jason Arndt, jarndt@shawanoleader.com
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt The senior choir members come together for one last time at the Shawano Community High School commencement ceremony Friday.
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Shawano Community High School Class of 2014 president Courtney Baumann addresses her classmates at the school’s commencement ceremony Friday.
Shawano School District Superintendent Gary Cumberland challenged the Class of 2014 to forge ahead, stressing the real work has yet to begin, at the Shawano Community High School commencement Friday.
“Graduation is not the end, it is the beginning,” Cumberland said. “You have way too many goals and dreams” yet to fulfill.
Cumberland said it takes action to accomplish goals in life.
“It’s the start of the new journey and the milestones along the way,” Cumberland said. “You can stand still or you can take the right actions.”
Cumberland gave each graduate a bookmark to remember where they came from.
“You will always be a Hawk. I want you all to remember the Hawk way,” Cumberland said, indicating to the class it takes living, learning and leading to move forward.
Cumberland said he was confident in the students’ ability to be successful as they leave SCHS.
“Use those talents you received to accomplish those goals,” he said. “All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to proceed.”
Class president Courtney Baumann, who plans to attend the University of Iowa, led off the commencement addresses by encouraging her classmates to stand and huddle for a “selfie” with her phone, drawing loud applause from the students and those in attendance.
In her address, co-valedictorian Lindsey Kurtz used an analogy about a new pair of shoes as she talked to her classmates about their new journeys.
“It’s very important to make the right choices … like a new pair of shoes. Sometimes it takes a while to break them in,” said Kurtz, who will attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
“Like a blister, they don’t last forever. Just because your shoes are dirty does not mean it has to stay there. With a little soap and water, they can be like new.”
Co-valedictorian Peyton Going urged the students to be leaders.
“If you are a follower, step up to the plate when a problem needs to solved,” said Going, who will attend St. Norbert College in De Pere.
Cumberland’s son was among the graduates crossing the stage. Thomas Cumberland, a National Honor Society member, smiled widely as he embraced his father.