The beginning of the future
Pocahontas Area High School graduates 54
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.