Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Grads urged to make the world a better place
331 Vikings graduate in a sea of red and gold
Graduation ceremonies at East High School were awash in a sea of red and gold as 331 Vikings officially ended their high school career, Tuesday evening.
Moods were still high, with seating limited, as rain prevented the festivities from being held in the larger football field.
Valedictorian Daniel Lewis told fellow graduates to not be afraid to fail.
“Failure is a part of life, without failure, who would you be?” Lewis asked.
He implored his audience dressed in red and gold caps and gowns to accomplish greatness and to never forget what they’d been taught at East.
“Just try, don’t ever give up,” Lewis said. “Don’t forget to invest in your future self.”
Haley Seybert, president of the senior class, talked about what Principal Dr. Kevin Fagan had told the Class of 2018 as freshmen.
“Enjoy these four years — they will fly by,” Seybert told the class.
Seybert relayed the motto of the night, “Hope, Dare, Achieve.”
She talked about hope that her fellow students would bring change to the world, dare to dream big and to achieve greatness.
Salutatorian Jerry Lan said that graduation was not the end of education, but the beginning.
“You don’t need to wait for a graduation,” Lan said. “Change can be a single step.”
School Board Member Christopher Tabakin told the students and their friends and families, that graduation is a major milestone.
“Now is your time,” he said. “You will make a difference in this world.
“You will change lives. You will not realize the impact. No matter what, you will make history. It starts with you.”
Superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon noted that the graduates had received lots of speeches, advice and great moments of wisdom.
“Use your gifts in many ways that will make the world a better place,” Scanlon said. “There is tremendous hope, there is a sign of hope for all of us.”
Scanlon also told the graduates to be kind and to call home rather than text.
Assistant Principal Stephen
“Use your gifts in many ways that will make the world a better place. There is tremendous hope, there is a sign of hope for all of us.” — Superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon
Brown said that while all the students came from different paths, they all have chosen their own paths.
“When you make mistakes, dust yourself off and try again,” Brown said.
James Shafer read a poem he’d written, “Separate Trails,” which was included in the program.
“A common road from 5 to 18.
“Friendships, Hardships, Laughter in between … Even Best Friends sometimes say goodbye.”