thedrifter
06-17-06, 07:33 AM
Lejeune grads savor milestone
June 17,2006
CHRIS MAZZOLINI
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Indoor lighting and climate control did little to squelch the heat inside Camp Lejeune’s base theater.
Because the families and friends of the 85 graduates of Lejeune High School smoldered with admiration and love for their fledgling adults, and the graduates themselves burned with the white-hot light of unmapped potential.
Decked out in red gowns, each graduate entered stage right and stood and faced the crowd before accepting their diploma and all the joys and fears of adulthood. Many will stride right off the stage and into college. Others the work force. Others still, the armed services.
All will stride into a world that will only be improved through action, said Salutatorian Catherine Crum.
“Our generation has been labeled by some as ‘apathetic,’ ” said Crum, who will leave for the Naval Academy in 11 days. “I admit it is pretty easy to turn up the iPod and tune out responsibilities. Yet, I have faith that we won’t let indifference define us.
“As we stand at the edge of tomorrow, we are all excited to have finally arrived at this night,” Crum added. “Yet this is simply a milestone, and there will be many more celebrations to follow.”
But their determination to make a mark on the future depends so much on the past. Emily Kampa, the class president, thanked all parents, teachers and mentors for all those times “we eat dirt, fall on our knees or beg for money.”
“You helped us act like civilized adults,” she said.
Valedictorian Elizabeth Tesch, who will study at Missouri State University in the fall, told the class of their boundless potential.
“We are ready to move on and become the future astronauts on Mars, the scientists that make the major breakthroughs against cancer, the lawyers that represent the top clients, new thinkers that discover an alternative fuel source, and parents of the next generation of leaders,” she said.
Through the words of Henry David Thoreau, Tesch implored her classmates to simplify their lives, remove the clutter and enjoy their one walk on this world.
“But know that throughout that life, we will try to make you proud,” she said.
While the leaders of the Lejeune Class of 2006 read stately sounding speeches filled with visionary language and marked by the epiphanies of the onset adulthood, they also realized graduation changes other, perhaps even simpler, things.
“You suddenly like all your teachers,” Crum said.
Contact staff writer Chris Mazzolini at cmazzolini@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 229.
Ellie
June 17,2006
CHRIS MAZZOLINI
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Indoor lighting and climate control did little to squelch the heat inside Camp Lejeune’s base theater.
Because the families and friends of the 85 graduates of Lejeune High School smoldered with admiration and love for their fledgling adults, and the graduates themselves burned with the white-hot light of unmapped potential.
Decked out in red gowns, each graduate entered stage right and stood and faced the crowd before accepting their diploma and all the joys and fears of adulthood. Many will stride right off the stage and into college. Others the work force. Others still, the armed services.
All will stride into a world that will only be improved through action, said Salutatorian Catherine Crum.
“Our generation has been labeled by some as ‘apathetic,’ ” said Crum, who will leave for the Naval Academy in 11 days. “I admit it is pretty easy to turn up the iPod and tune out responsibilities. Yet, I have faith that we won’t let indifference define us.
“As we stand at the edge of tomorrow, we are all excited to have finally arrived at this night,” Crum added. “Yet this is simply a milestone, and there will be many more celebrations to follow.”
But their determination to make a mark on the future depends so much on the past. Emily Kampa, the class president, thanked all parents, teachers and mentors for all those times “we eat dirt, fall on our knees or beg for money.”
“You helped us act like civilized adults,” she said.
Valedictorian Elizabeth Tesch, who will study at Missouri State University in the fall, told the class of their boundless potential.
“We are ready to move on and become the future astronauts on Mars, the scientists that make the major breakthroughs against cancer, the lawyers that represent the top clients, new thinkers that discover an alternative fuel source, and parents of the next generation of leaders,” she said.
Through the words of Henry David Thoreau, Tesch implored her classmates to simplify their lives, remove the clutter and enjoy their one walk on this world.
“But know that throughout that life, we will try to make you proud,” she said.
While the leaders of the Lejeune Class of 2006 read stately sounding speeches filled with visionary language and marked by the epiphanies of the onset adulthood, they also realized graduation changes other, perhaps even simpler, things.
“You suddenly like all your teachers,” Crum said.
Contact staff writer Chris Mazzolini at cmazzolini@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 229.
Ellie