MASON — The Class of 2010 was honored during Friday evening’s commencement exercises at Wahama High School.

While many thought of their future plans, others were recalling the four years leading up to this point in their lives.

Kenny Bond, Principal of Wahama High School, welcomed family, friends, staff and the honored guests including Mason County Board of Education President Tom Nunnery and Board members Dale Shobe and Matt Thompson. Dr. William Capehart also was in attendance.

The ceremony opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord’s Prayer.

Bond said the ceremony ‘brought some sorrow, as well as great hope’ for the Class of 2010.

“The Class of 2010 has excelled in academics, athletics and personal growth, and it is my honor and privilege to stand before them today,” Bond said.

He also gave the students four bits of advice: “One...be where your supposed to be, Two...when your supposed to be there, Three...doing what your supposed to do, and Four, to the absolute best of your abilities.”

“After this,” Bond said, “it is a walk in the park.”

Class salutatorian, Deidra Peters then addressed her fellow students. She spoke about the reality of four years ending and the future that awaits each senior graduating.

“Over the past four years, we have experienced the ends of semesters, the ends of sports seasons and the ends to school years,” Peters said, “however, we always knew others would begin and we would be reunited with our friends. Not this time.”

Peters continued to recollect memories of the senior class, including when the class won the Spirit Award.

“We all worked together, with only one goal in mind: Winning the class Spirit Award,” Peters said, “This is when I realized that we were all responsible, knowledgeable, young adults prepared to face the future.”

The class salutatorian also mentioned about how school should teach their students to say goodbye and let go.

In closing Peters stated, “Just think, 13 years ago, we all started kindergarten together and now we begin to chart our future. I wish you well, and remember: Don’t do anything that wouldn’t make your mom proud,”

The WHS Band performed for the Class of 2010, with senior members joining in the group for the last time. Eighteen senior choir members also sang, “I’ll Stand By You” in front of their peers and the packed gymnasium full of proud supporters.

Following the song, the valedictory address was given by Hannah Foreman. She described how she was able to get through high school and offered her classmates many words of advice.

“As I think on today, and then about all the days that we have conquered to get here, it seems as though today is a stopping point,” Foreman said. “I challenge you instead to make it a jump start, a source of inspiration. In other words, you have made it successfully around the game board of high school, go straight past go and do not stop!”

Foreman continued, “One thing I have come to realize is that leaders must begin as servers. Colossians 3:23 says, ‘Whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, as working for the Lord.’ You never know who is watching you, but with good deeds, someone will always benefit.”

The class valedictorian also quoted Dr. Seuss stating, “Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind,” as well as thanked one of her teachers, Mr. Roush, along with her parents and close family for “getting me here today.”

“Who would have thought that the little girl who cried herself sick everyday during kindergarten would be up here giving her opinion and advice to a gymnasium full of people,” Foreman said. “I owe everything I am to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; because without him, I would be nothing.”

As Foreman continued to thank her classmates for memories, she ended with telling them to find what is important in life.

“Each of us may be as different as the patches of a quilt, but it is those very patches that turn a boring blanket into a fashioned piece of art,” Foreman said. “Time and space may separate us, but wherever our pathways lead, we will always be the Class of 2010 from Wahama High School. Thank you for traveling this journey with me.”

A slideshow presentation was then shown and seniors looked on, some with tears in their eyes as they sat for the last time together as a class.

Dr. Capehart accepted the graduates from Principal Bond stating, “As a past graduate of Wahama High School, I accept the Class of 2010 and declare each one of them graduates. God’s speed to each of you.”

As each senior made their way across the stage, as many of them had dreamed for four years, Vice-Principal Melissa VanMeter read each senior’s quote they had chosen themselves. A slideshow also played during the presentation of diplomas, depicting each students baby picture and senior picture.

Graduating as honors students were Joseph Tyler Barton, Micaiah Jeriah Branch, Donald Austin Gilbert, Kathleen Michele Hendricks, Colin Randall Pierce, Randi McKenzie Roush and Kaula Ann Young.

Other members of the senior class are Moriah Beach, Cody Ray Connolly, Matthew Tyler Dangerfield, Michaela Dawn Davis, Jordan Keith Decker, Lindsey Danielle Deem, Christopher Lee Divers, Michael Paul Fisher, Sam Douglas German, Dave Frederick Greene, Anthony George Grimes, Andrew Thomas Grimm;

Jeffrey Mitchell Harbrecht, Kylee Amanda Henry, Terry Michael Henry III, Mina Rae Hoffman, Steven Colby Hood, Taylor Kailee Hysell, Zachary Ryan Jividen, Brandon Thomas Johnson, Sasha Nicole Johnson, Tasha Grae Kensler, Kevin William Klingensmith;

Kayla Nicole Lanier, Samantha Holli Lightfoot, Gabrielle Elizabeth Mankin, Breeanna Nicole Manuel, Charles Ethan McGrew, Bryant Michael Miller, Tiffanie Chyann Lenore Miller, Travis Allen Nance, Micah Leigh Ohlinger, Nicole LaDonna Oldaker, Rocky Lucas Pearson;

Kendall Ray Roush, Timothy Lewis Roush, Ashley Nicole Shamblin, Jordan Patrick Smith, Benjamin Ingle Starkey, Nathan Lee Stewart, Tara Renee Taylor, Lora Marie Thompson, Kasdan Drew Tulloh, Cheyenne Tyler Wallen, Kasey Aleksander White, Kierstan Sloan White, Zachary Jay Whitlatch, Justin Lee Willet, Tara Kay Wooten, Kelsey Rae’Ann Young, Robert Paul Sheridan Zerkle and William Gregory Zuspan II.