Lori Patterson does a little adjusting on her daughter Shawnella’s graduation cap just as the call to get in line for the processional came.

slideshow

POMEROY — The importance of pursuing your dreams and maintaining a firm belief in your ability to accomplish them while traveling on unfamiliar roads was stressed in the valedictorians’ speeches at Friday night’s graduation of the Meigs High School Class of 2013.

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them,” said Valedictorian Megan Dyer as she spoke to her classmates in the Larry R. Morrison Gymnasium where there was standing room only.

She talked of memories made, of friendships formed, and of goals already achieved over the past years. She encouraged her classmates to follow their dreams and to never limit themselves as to what they can accomplish in life. Dyer concluded with a reminder that “if you can dream it, it can become reality with hard work, dedication and determination, because anything is possible.”

After reflecting on friendships made, the teachers who went above and beyond their duties, and the fun extra-curricular activities of school, Valedictorian Emma Perrin called on her classmates as they head off to college, into the work force or go into the military to remember their days at Meigs High School … “not just a blur of assignments and homework that you had to suffer through in order to get to the ‘real world,’ but as an experience enjoyed along the way.”

“See the beauty in ordinary things, cherish your high school memories, and work hard to prepare for the big things, while never forgetting to enjoy the beautiful, ordinary moments of life,” she said.

Salutatorian Alyssa Cremeans talked about high school friendships to be remembered as another chapter in life begins. She spoke of personality differences and of compatibility, as well as personal expectations and challenges in moving from high school out into the world. “Some of us still don’t know who we are, but that’s okay, because we don’t have to. We’re supposed to mess up. That’s life.”

“We’re all here together now celebrating the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. Right now, at this moment, we are infinite, and we can do anything we set our minds to,” she concluded.

In their maroon and gold gowns, the 109 graduates of the Class of 2013 entered the auditorium to “Pomp and Circumstance” played by the Meigs Marauder Band directed by Toney Dingess.

The 45th annual commencement of Meigs High School opened in ritualistic form with the National Anthem, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Mercadies Marie George and the invocation by Joshua Dunham. Keana Robinson, class president, extended the welcome, and Emma Perrin, treasurer, handled introductions of personnel.

The band played “Toccata” by Frank Ericson, after which Rusty Bookman, superintendent of the Meigs Local School District, recognized the high achievers in the Class of 2013.

Principal Steve Ohlinger presented the senior class to the Meigs Local Board of Education and to the roll call by Shawnella Patterson, class secretary, diplomas were presented to the students by Roger Abbott, Meigs Local School Board president. Casi Arnold, class vice president, gave the symbol of graduation following the presentations. The band played the Alma Mater, Jack Ray Kitchen Junior gave the benediction, and the students left the gymnasium to “Fanfare on Recessional” played by the band.

In the graduating class were Casi Jordan Clay Arnold, Jacobe O’Brian Atkinson, Paula Jo Barthelmas, Shauna Michelle Bare, Rachel, Elizabeth Bauer, Elizabeth Nicole Bearhs, Thomas Dillon Boyer, Sarah Faith Burchett, Ryan Joseph Caruthers, Kimberly Ann Casci, Matthew Allen Casci, Raeven Dawn Clampitt, Shayne Douglas Clary, Kayla Ashley Conlin, Michael Lee Cox, Vanessa Lynn Crane, Alyssa Nicole Cremeans, Brittany Beth Cremeans, Allyson Lee Davis, Robert Brian Dillon, Joshua Allen Dunham, Megan Danielle Dyer, Tyler Michael Eblin, Kasie Alexandra Ellis, Thadaeeus James Ellis, Haley Francine English, Jorden Michelle Evans, Kacyn Lynn Fink, Delilah Levinna Fish, Christopher Michael Folmer, Erika Lynn Fox, Harley Leeann Jane Fox, Mercadies Marie George, Shana Jade Gorslene, Kayla Faye Graham, Layla Rae Graham, and MaKenzie Nicole Greene.

Michael Keith Sullivan Grueser, Karlie Anne Hall, Brandon Lee Haning, Kendra Lynn Haning, Brooklyn Dawn Harless, David Christopher Chase Hayes, Edward Grayson Hendricks, Addie Mae Hill, Odessa Ann Marie Jacks, Justin Ryan Jeffers, Cassandra May Johnson, Morgan Elain Johnson, Christopher Anthony Jones, Matthew Edward Keesee, Corey Tyler King, Hannah Elizabeth King, Emily Christine Kinnan, Jack Ray Kitchen, Jr., Anthany Allen Lee Lane, Ronald Rex Lavender Junior, Jaimee Rena Little, Michael William Marshall, Chandra Nicole Mattox, Kayla Rae McClure, Anthony James McCollum, Kirsten Dawn McGuire, Austin Treay McKinney, Gunner Lee McKinney, Gregory Scott McKnight, Jessi Alexandra Meadows, Natalie Virginia Michael, Brett Allan Milhoan, Alexander William Morris, David Jacob Mulholland, Tyler Jerome Neal, Shawnella Rose Patterson, Rachel Danielle Frances Payne, and Emma Rose Perrin.

Tress Marie Phelps, Ashley Dawn Phoenix, Nakayla Blu Ratliff, Tiaira Leann Richmond, Keana Chantel Cerreoa Elaine Robinson, Danelle Ranee Runyon, Bailey Marie Rupe, Samuel Robert Scherfel, Kenneth Chadwick Searles, Katrina Nichole Shockey, Kenzie Rose Shuler, Jesse Alexander Siders, Charles Joseph Franklin Smith, Maggie Lauren Smith, Odis Steven Smith II, Colton Skyler Sparks, Bethany Hope Spaun, Cody Lawrence Stewart, William Arthur Taylor III, Madelyn Elise Thomas, Dustin Quade Ulbrich, Jesse Noah Vaughan, Florence Anita Warth, Gage Matthew Weisenmuller, Thomas Randall Werry, Seth Aaron White, McKenzie Allyn Whobrey, Caitlyn June Will, Haley Nichole Will, Autumn Renee’ Williams, Jared Lee Williamson, Cory James Wise, Sharon Kathyren Wright, Zachary Allen Yeauger, Benjamin Austin Young, Christopher Michael Zacharias, and Tisha Nicole Zeigler.