By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Edwardsburg Argus
EDWARDSBURG - "Cherish your family - your entire family," Tena Schildhouse, salutatorian for the Edwardsburg Class of 2005 told her fellow graduates Sunday during Commencement.
Co-valedictorians Jaclyn O'Connor and Courtney Moyer echoed thanks to their parents, and other members of their "family," teachers, staff and friends they have been with for the last 12 years.
Superintendent Sherman Ostrander praised the guest speaker, Mary Parks, a former graduate returning for the first time after 25 years.
An Emmy award winning journalist, Parks is a bureau chief and reporter for NCBC4, in Riverside and San Bernardino counties in California, Ostrander said.
Parks singled out Teresa Kraus, sitting in the first row, for her beautiful flowers which decorated the stage. Kraus was her chaperone during the pageant, Parks said.
The gift Parks appreciated most from her parents and teachers, was to "look at others more than myself."
She also told the graduates to "be ready to accept change and make new friends."
As she has found in her life, "giving back" is most rewarding. "Anything is possible, but don't forget where you came from - from Edwardsburg."