By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Graduation is a moment that seems to resonate with many. Whether a parent, a teacher or a senior in a school colored gown – graduation is a tradition in which many have taken part – and many remember.
Some in attendance may have been thinking about how they felt on their own graduation day, at Thursday night's commencement. Yet every graduating class is different and many an anxious senior seems to view their graduation as a moment all their own.
And Niles High School appeared to own that moment Thursday night. The class of 2008, which superintendent Doug Law called the "largest class to graduate from Niles Community School recent memory," was an impressive sea of blue and gold.
"Although tonight, for the first time, we all look the same in our navy blue gowns, hats and tassels, I must recognize that it is our differences that make us who we are today," said senior Katie Devine in her commencement speech opening.
Family and friends filled the bleachers from end to end. They gathered at the entrances to the field. They snapped pictures and took video and swelled with looks of pride. The entire school board was on hand for the ceremony, including president Scott Tyler, as was Law and Rich Klemm, principal of Cedar Lane School.
The night was, "more than just a ceremony," Devine said. "It is the closing of a chapter in our lives, the end of our free ride of fun and minimal stress."
Devine, who is said to be on her way to the University of Michigan according to the Niles Viking Journal, was overcome with emotion during her speech and the crowd remained quiet as she gained her composure and continued.
"Although this is a very emotional and tear-filled time for me," she said. "I will be cheerful every time I take a moment to look back at all of the pictures of familiar faces that I have."
Chelsea McIntyre, who followed Devine, focused on the changes that the class had experienced and all those yet to come.
"Today is the day that we are tossed in the real world to make the most out of our hopes, dreams and goals," she said.
"Today is the day that we no longer go to our parents for help on making decisions, but instead make our own." McIntyre, who commented on the importance of humor, didn't miss a beat when a bout of laughter escaped the audience after that statement. "We do," she said. "For real."
"Humor has an amazing power," she said. "It emancipates us from the uncontrollable facts of life."
Gabriella 'Gaby' Martin, who the Viking Journal said will join Devine in Ann Arbor, was the last of the student speakers at the commencement Thursday.
"One day, I sat down and wrote out a list of things I wanted to accomplish in my allotted time on earth," she said in her opening. "Number 63 on my list is 'speak at graduation'." While that number on her list was being crossed off, Martin acknowledged the memories the class of 2008 had shared together, including the fire that put their McDonalds out of commission for some time as well as the choices the class would soon find themselves making.
"Choices," she said. "Are so very important. Each choice you make is writing the prologue to the story of another."
President of the school board, Scott Tyler also addressed the students. "I can guarantee that your families are extremely proud at this moment," Tyler said.
Recognizing that he was the final speaker – the final barrier before the diplomas were passed out and the senior class officially became graduates – he promised to make his remarks quick. "For the rest of your lives," he said. "Celebrate life." Tyler made a point to comment on the importance of teachers, asking the graduates as well as the audience to raise their hands if they'd ever had a teacher that "made you feel more excited to be alive than you ever thought possible." Hands went into the air. "If this isn't nice, what is?" he said.
With that, officials took their places and began handing out diplomas and the Niles community celebrated another commencement – and another graduating class.