The Johnston City High School Class of 2017 is that one in a million that stands out, with countless students striving for excellence and refusing to accept defeat. Walking the "stage" for the diploma is the culmination of the hard work and dedication, the late nights of cramming, writing papers, long bus rides after games and competitions.
As Savannah Jennings stated in her salutatory address, "Whether it be academics or athleticism, I believe that this class has excelled on every level."
"These are just great kids," said Linda Adkins, whose daughter, Alexis, was one of the graduates.
It was a night that Maddie Johnson was looking forward to sharing with family and friends. Ranked fourth in her class of 80 students, Johnson is headed to Ole Miss next year. At 3 a.m. Thursday, she went to the Herrin Hospital emergency room. At 11 a.m. on Thursday, she underwent an hour-long surgery to remove her appendix. At 7 p.m. Thursday, she was in the gym, in cap and gown, and somehow, managed to walk with her class.
Each student that marched through the sports complex and onto the football field, sat, and eventually moved the tassel, contributed to the legacy of the class that arrived Thursday evening as one, but will leave and go their separate ways.
Michael Garland is one of four grads that will enter military service. "I leave in a week and a half," he said. Garland will enter at Fort Sills and then go on to Fort Benning to train as a medic.
Life sciences teacher Paul Suchecki made it as a mention into two of the evening's speeches. Jennings noted his "bike-riding stories," while valedictorian Clayton Selby noted, "we were even able to witness Mr. Suchecki make a twitter." Selby drew a laugh from the crowd as he recalled spending time on the bleachers during "all of those glorious bomb threats."
Class president Mattie Rametta, who told the crowd of several hundred that "freshman year Mattie never imagined herself standing here giving a speech on graduation day," gave her class words of encouragement. "The world does not define us, we define the world," she said. "Never stop dreaming and dare to fail."
Principal Joey Ohnesorge, who will leave JCHS to take the reins at Marion High School next year, told the class with eight Illinois State Scholars, 19 National Honor Society members, four athletic record-holders, one foreign exchange student, and the granddaughter of a former Congressman, that they should "be courageous … set goals …and be risk-takers."
As the graduates threw their hats in celebration and prepared to exit the field, hugging one another, some in tears, some smiling, it was obvious that Selby's final words were true.
"These last four years of high school we have all made memories that will last a lifetime."