Friends and family of 82 Falls High School graduates gathered at the school Sunday to witness the cumulation of their 13 years of formal education.
Sporting purple robes and gold stoles, the seniors received their diplomas in the school’s 103rd annual commencement exercises from members of the school board. And, after being seated, followed FHS tradition and turned their class rings — the oldest class ring tradition in the United States — to allow the water to flow out of the falls in the insignia and moved the tassels on their mortar boards to signify their graduation.
In celebration, the mortar boards were thrown into the air followed by the classmates hugging one another in the center of the Falls gymnasium. Family and friends left the bleachers moving into the sea of purple robes to give hugs and shoot photos of the new graduates.
International Falls School District Superintendent Jeff Peura told the graduates that their education does not stop with high school graduation. Instead, he said, their high school education serves as a foundation of knowledge and skills for more education throughout their life.
The value of their education signals to the graduates, others and potential employers that they can complete complex tasks, learn new skills and exhibit leadership, he said.
“Go forward and use these things to make your country and your world a better place,” Peura urged. “Whatever you do, do so with integrity; where ever you go, go as a leader; whomever you serve, serve with care.”
And he urged the graduates to remember to dream.
Valedictorian Rachel Adams told fellow graduates that they were the masters of their fate, the captains of their souls. “Take control of your own destiny,” she urged. “Choose who you want to be. If you have a dream, protect it.”
“No one gets to see what could have been,” Adams said, encouraging classmates to do what they like, and that even the smallest person can change the world.
“Carpe diem — seize the day,” she said. “Your destiny is in your own hands. The world is what you make of it. If it doesn’t fit, make alterations.”
Salutatorian Brittany Fisher told the graduates that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to, but should recognize the contributions of teachers and parents.
“We may pretend to know everything,” she said, “but you have taught us valuable lessons.”
Where ever the graduates go, they will always have the friends they made in high school, she said.
“Even though we may go on to bigger and better – don’t ever forget the people who supported you,” urged Fisher.
