BonnerSprings.com / BSHS graduation approaches

Archive for Thursday, May 1, 2008

May 1, 2008

Only one week remains for the seniors of Bonner Springs High School before they can officially call themselves graduates.

This year’s graduating class of about 158 will make its final stand during the BSHS graduation ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8 in the District PE Center.

“Everybody is just really excited for it and can’t wait to graduate and go off to college,” said Adam Smith, co-president of the BSHS executive board and one of the class’ three valedictorians.

Smith said the atmosphere at school as seniors count down the final days of the year was one of excitement. People seem to be happy to end their high school career and move forward with their lives, he said.

There will be a rehearsal for the graduates at 9 a.m. Thursday with the senior picnic following at 11 a.m. at Shawnee Mission Park. The event is hosted by the school and will include a catered barbeque lunch.

“It’s just a celebratory event as a final farewell before graduation,” said Lisa Terrell, director of counseling at BSHS.

Later in the evening comes the main event. The graduates will come into the gymnasium in a large processional. BSHS principal Jerry Abbott will give the first speech of the evening.

Following the principal’s speech, the three valedictorians and the salutatorian will give a joint speech. Valedictorians, who got a 4.0 GPA all four years at BSHS, are Smith, Lisa Rogers and Michael Cooper; the salutatorian who had the second highest GPA, is Amanda Ontis.

“I don’t want to revel too much,” Smith said about the joint speech, “but it will be about how we (the seniors) are a class of our own.”

Smith said he wanted to encourage his classmates to try as many new things as possible when they get to college. He said getting more involved in school activities his senior year has shown him the importance of trying new things to enhance an experience such as attending a new school.

Terrell said that the graduation event was a great time but is sure to be a mixture of emotions. Without a doubt, there will be sadness in saying goodbye to friends, but she said she expects excitement more than anything else for the future that lies ahead.

“It’s such a joyful event,” she said. “It’s such an important moment for the kids. I think it’s a sigh of relief for them to know they’ve finally accomplished that mile marker.”

After graduation is Project Grad. This year’s safe after-graduation party, sponsored by parents, will be at Powerplay, an entertainment center in Shawnee. Graduates will get to enjoy the drug- and alcohol-free party with games, prizes and food.

“It’s a good after-party to say goodbye with,” Smith said. “We get to play games and other special activities and talk. It’s a really nice sendoff.”