Niles High School, New Tech graduate 179
Published 10:01 am Friday, June 2, 2017
The choir sings to a packed football stadium, during graduation night. (Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
Graduate Amber Celie speaks during graduation. (Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
Speaker Nola Wallace addresses the crowd during graduation Thursday. (Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
Hannah Davis presented the class gift of a song to the Class of 2017. She played “I’ll Always Remember You” by the artist Miley Cyrus. (Leader photos/KELSEY HAMMON)
Niles High School Principal Molly Brawley takes a picture with graduate Vanya Ruppart.
Drew Mikel, the valedictorian for the Class of 2017 gives a speech during Niles High School and New Tech graduation. (Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
The Niles High School and New Tech Class of 2017 graduated Thursday night to the cheers of family and friends. But before students were handed their diplomas and tossed their caps, they reflected on their high school careers and thanked those who had helped them along the way.
Of the 179 students that graduated Thursday night, 63 will be attending a four-year university, 77 will be attending community college and 11 will be attending trade school.
Valedictorian Drew Mikel and fellow graduates Nola Wallace and Amber Celie addressed the crowd.
Speakers reflected on how the teachers and lessons learned at Niles High School had influenced them to take the next step in their life.
Mikel, of Edwardsburg, will be pursuing a degree in athletic education at Hope College. Throughout his time at Niles High School, Mikel said he learned lessons about academics and life combined.
“While in life you may not need to know how to find the derivative of a differential equation, the life lessons that were snuck into school will always be useful,” Mikel said.
One of those lessons garnered over the years was to never give up.
“No matter how down and out you are, keep on trying and you will succeed.”
Throughout his speech, Mikel reminded students from which had the chance to make a positive impact in the world.
Wallace also encouraged students and told them to not be afraid to challenge themselves to have more “firsts” in their life.
She cited first attending high school orientation, followed by the first football game and first senior night. These experiences helped to shape students’ time at the high school and encouraged them to have more new experiences that they could grow.
No matter what their path, Wallace said she was confident that the graduates of Niles could do anything they set their mind to.
“I hope you embrace the challenges that you have in the world and grow from them,” Wallace said. “ I want to thank everyone in my life for making these last four years so special and thank you Niles High School for preparing us for our new firsts.”
As Celie took her turn at the podium, she first thanked the dedicated school administrators and parents whose efforts had made such a big impact on students’ lives.
“Through all four years, we have had guidance, support and encouragement and I couldn’t give more thanks to you,” Celie said. “We are blessed to have the experiences you made possible.
Celie also encouraged students to face their challenges head on, even when things did not work out like they had planned.
“A facilitator of mine once said, ‘The best way to find yourself, is when you are lost.’” Celie said.
Celie encouraged her fellow classmates to enjoy the adventures still ahead.
Graduates also heard from Superintendent Dan Applegate and Principal Molly Brawley.
According to Principal Molly Brawley, the class of 2017 represents $1.5 million dollars on potential college credit savings, due to the district’s dual enrollment program.
