LEHMAN TWP. — Life metaphors were a common theme at the Lake-Lehman graduation June 10.
About 140 seniors attended the 58th annual commencement ceremony at the Edward H. Edwards Stadium, garbed in their black and gold robes as they sat down and listened to some of their classmates compare their lives to movies, books and more.
Student Council Class President Zachary Corey gave opening remarks, referencing the class to a scene from “Forrest Gump.”
“You have the ultimate control of your own life,” Corey said. “You get to decide what to put in your box of chocolates.”
Class Valedictorian Clayton Vasey spoke next, telling his peers that each student is like an author, and that they alone have the power to fill the pages of their own book and that each book should be as unique as its author.
“No two novels are identical, therefore no two lives will be identical. That is the great thing about life — as long as you keep writing, as long as you can’t put the book down — your life is all it was ever meant to be,” he said. “I’ve realized that life is not a puzzle with rigid, fixed edges that we must fit in perfectly, but rather a canvas on which we splatter the paint of individuality that in some way creates a masterpiece.”
Select students were also presented awards for their outstanding work in academics, leadership and citizenship.
Douglas Klopp, principal of the Lake Lehman Junior-Senior High School, announced the recipients, which are as follows:
• Class Valedictorian — Clayton Vasey
• Class Salutatorian — Rachel Malak
• Red Jones Leadership Award (one male and female) — Kaley Egan and Thomas Williams
• Citizenship Award (one male and female) — Rachel Malak and John Thomas
Joseph Chaga was the recipient of the James L. Nicholas Memorial Scholarship, which is given to a student who excels in academics, extracurricular activities and academics.
District Superintendent James E. McGovern announced the graduating class to the eager crowd of family and friends, many of whom disregarded the pleas to hold applause until the end of the ceremony. School Board President Andrew Salko bestowed the prized paper to each student.
After the tassels were moved and hats were thrown, graduates gathered with family and friends, holding flowers and balloons while taking selfies and embracing one another for their accomplishments.
Malak, who is also senior class president, used her love of theatre to present her speech to her peers, noting the popular hit Disney movie “High School Musical” as well as channeling her inner Reese Witherspoon in “Legally Blonde:”
“Congratulations Class of 2016 — We did it!”
