(Photo by Keith Knepp)
Wawasee High School held its 46th annual commencement exercises Sunday in the school gymnasium. Approximately 189 students heard their names called by WHS Assistant Principal Geoff Walmer prior to crossing the platform to receive their diplomas from principal Michael Schmidt.
Following the welcome and introduction by Wawasee Community School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Tom Edington, the packed gymnasium was welcomed by Senior Class Vice President Lydia Katsaropoulos and led in the National Anthem by Wawasee’s Vocal Motion show choir.
After the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” processional of the graduates, the invocation was offered by graduating senior Amanda Bradley. She was followed onstage by classmate Stephanie Camargo who introduced class salutatorian and Senior Class President Katy Ashpole, who delivered an address to the gathered crowd.
Vocal Motion, which included several graduating seniors, performed “When You Believe,” followed by the introduction of valedictorian and speaker Ashley Helfers by Senior Class Secretary/Treasurer Dorinda Brito.
Once the diplomas were issued by Schmidt and Walmer, Ashpole led the Class of 2014 in the traditional turning of the tassels.
The graduation continued with a candle lighting ceremony led by Dr. Joyce Dubach and the singing of the “Wawasee High School Hymn.”
Graduate Dylan Houser offered the benediction before the recessional led the Wawasee High School Class of 2014 to the parking lot for a tossing of their mortarboards.
StaceyPageOnline.com is putting together a special video for all 2014 area high school graduates. Email photos of graduation ceremonies and your favorite graduate to stacey@staceypageonline.com no later than 8 a.m. Monday, June 9, to have them included in the video.