Salem grads learn significance of trust

By BOB JACKSON

news@vindy.com

SALEM

Character, trust, strong relationships and a sense of community were among the themes stressed Sunday during graduation ceremonies for Salem High School’s Class of 2010.

The 144 graduates — boys clad in black caps and gowns, and girls wearing red — gathered for the final time in the high school’s Cabas Gymnasium to hear remarks from their classmates and school officials and then receive diplomas and officially bring down the curtain on their high school careers.

They were the 146th class to graduate from Salem in the school’s history.

During her remarks to classmates, class President Olivia Mitchley said now that their four-year high school experience has ended, the graduates’ paths will lead them away in various directions: some to higher education, some to the military and some into the job market.

“Whichever path you choose, just know that I believe in you, and your families believe in you,” she said.

But more importantly, she said, each individual must believe in himself or herself to achieve their life goals.

Superintendent Tom Bratten told the graduates that being of strong character will serve them well as they move forward in life.

“Our character serves as the catalyst for the choices we make, and our choices help form our legacy,” Bratten said. “Our legacy is shaped by our character, and that’s by which others will remember us.”

He said graduation from high school effectively can wipe the slate clean for those who want to leave their past behind and start fresh.

“If you don’t like what your legacy is right now, change it,” Bratten said. “The choice is yours and only yours.”

Bratten’s comments dovetailed with those of Steve Bailey, school board president, who focused his remarks on trust, specifically being a trustworthy person. He said building trusting relationships is important but challenged the graduates to be willing to be on both ends of that relationship by becoming people on whom others can rely.

“While simple in concept, it’s not easy to do well all the time, “ he said.

Valedictorian Brooke Skiba challenged her classmates to be prepared for the changes that ultimately will come into their lives as they leave high school behind.

“Whether you wish for it or not, change is going to happen,” Skiba said. “You can’t avoid it, and you can’t force it. The only choice is to embrace all change that comes along.”

For twins Cassandra and Chelsea Stroka, 17, one of the biggest changes will be going their separate ways for the first time in their lives. Cassandra will attend Youngstown State University to study psychology, and Chelsea plans to study at Eastern Michigan University to become an athletic trainer.

“It’s going to be very different and hard,” Cassandra said of being so far removed from her twin.

“Scary,” Chelsea said.

Even though she’s still several years from actually starting her career, Cassandra said the flagging job market already has her concerned.

“No one is hiring,” she said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”