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The beginning of the future

Pocahontas Area High School graduates 54

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Pocahontas Area High School graduate Jasmary Granados holds her nephew, Fabio Martinez, 2, after Sunday's graduation ceremony.

POCAHONTAS — The seniors at Pocahontas Area High School took their first steps to the future Sunday as they took part in commencement at the high school’s gym.

In all, there were 54 members of the Pocahontas Area High School class of 2017.

Elle Ruffridge, one of two seniors selected to give a graduation speech, told her fellow classmates that their future is just beginning.

She highlighted the five “w”s that were learned in elementary school; who, what, when, where and why.

Included among them was the importance of who each individual person is.

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Olivia Ahlers, a senior at Pocahontas Area High School, checks her reflection in a vending machine as she adjusts her graduation cap Sunday. Ahlers was one of 54 graduates in the Pocahontas Area class of 2017.

“Who you are is what makes you special,” Ruffridge said, adding that everybody should remember to work to the best of their ability.

“Never get too high and never get too low,” she said.

Ruffridge added that while high school is ending, a new chapter is starting for the graduating class.

And while nobody knows exactly what will happen, Ruffridge said it will be an adventure.

“Life will take us on some pretty incredible journeys,” she said. “Enjoy the ride, because it won’t last forever.”

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Pocahontas Area High School graduates Kaighcy MacRunnel, left, and Tyler Hersom pose for a selfie after the graduation ceremony Sunday.

She went on to say that, in life, there will be choices one has to make that will be difficult.

“Where there are choices to make, make one you won’t regret,” she said. “Make your own path and choose the road less traveled.”

Jake Samuelson, the other senior selected to give a speech, told his classmates of the positive impact they all have had on the Pocahontas area.

The theme of his speech was “hands,” and how everyone used their hands to accomplish different tasks.

“We didn’t become the best class of 2017 by keeping our hands in our pockets,” he said.

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Jake Samuelson, left, a member of the Pocahontas Area High School class of 2017, gets a hug from junior Mason Stall after the ceremony Sunday.

He said, in elementary school, students learned to use their hands, while in high school, they learned how to ask for a hand when they needed it.

Samuelson went on to say that there’s an expression that says each person impacts 250 people in their life.

He did the math and said, if that’s true, the Pocahontas Area High School class of 2017 has impacted 13,500 people.

“Now that’s a game-changer,” he said. “Maybe even a world-changer.”

Superintendent Joe Kramer also had a few brief words for the graduates. He told them to be lifelong learners, to be optimistic and to share their talents with those who will benefit from them.

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari The Pocahontas Area High School graduating class of 2017 smile after they received their diplomas Sunday. There were 54 students in the class.

Kramer also said to work toward their goals.

“Avoid people who tell you your dreams are unreasonable,” he said.

Ruffridge also had some parting words for her classmates, where she encouraged them to make a difference.

“Now, go out and show the world how small town kids hit it up,” she said.

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