By By EMILY DREITZLER / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - On Sunday afternoon, Buchanan High School graduated 109 seniors; the 128th class that Buchanan High School has graduated since its doors opened in 1877.
Eric Olson led the Buchanan High School Band in the processional as this year's graduates walked onto the Buchanan High School football field, where the ceremony was held, amongst the sound of cheers and clapping.
The intense heat outside matched the intense anticipation and excitement each graduate was feeling as they experienced their last minutes as students at Buchanan High School.
Barczykowski, one of three Valedictorians Buchanan graduated this year, stood proudly at the podium in front of his classmates stating "The story isn't over; we're just onto the next chapter of our lives."
Thornton spoke to the graduates, saying "we all have one responsibility, to never forget the memories we've had here." Mace recited a list of advice for graduates to follow as they embark on their next journey in life, stating to "Take the road less traveled", "Never give into peer pressure", "A positive attitude is the key to life", and urged graduates to "Have the courage to be different."
Summers concluded the student speakers with an enduring message to graduates, "We stand here on the brink of the greatest challenge of our lives; we are about to embark on the future."
With families, friends, school faculty, and school board members looking on, high school counselor Sharon Steinke introduced each graduate as school board President John Colip presented them their hard earned diplomas.
As each graduate held their diploma securely in hand, they moved their tassel to the left of their caps, thus signifying their passage into the next phase of their lives.
The 45 Honors students wore gold cords and 31 National Honor Society members wore blue stoles; while National Spanish Honor Society members donned red and cold cords, and seniors wearing red honor cords completed the Berrien County Mathematics and Science Center Program.
Over 87 percent of this year's graduating class plans to pursue a post-secondary education and 44 graduates received the Michigan Merit scholarship, totaling $110,000.