MANDATA - The 100 graduates of Line Mountain's Class of 2012 walked two-by-two to a riser in the high school gymnasium as "Pomp and Circumstance" was performed by the school band, gathering during commencement Friday as a whole likely for the final time.
It's a routine experienced by many and is symbolic of the final routine teens perform as high-school students.
"Finally, right now, is when that routine ends," Taylor Shepley, class president, told the crowd of the daily minutiae a student experiences throughout 13 years of schooling.
Valedictorian Michelle Menko, in her address, spoke of the extraordinary events her fellow graduates experienced, events that broke up the routine - flooding, a hydrochloric acid spill, construction at the high school and, surprisingly, a table that caught fire and was immediately extinguished during senior breakfast.
She cited the many achievements in music, athletics and academics by the graduates, following up by calling out the names of colleges, universities, trade schools and branches of the military to which various graduates would matriculate; she also gave a shout out to those joining the workforce.
With each future endeavor named, one or more students stood for smattering applause. Then, as a whole, the graduating class rose to its feet.
"But today, we stand before you, together, as extraordinary Line Mountain Eagles," Menko said, finishing her address as the crowd, too, rose to its feet and gave a standing ovation.
Fail, fall or fly
Angela Hummel, an alumni of the Class of 1988 and a professional in hospital administration, urged the class to be positive, create their own story and provide service to others.
She spoke of the beginning and end dates of one's life. On a tombstone or in an obituary, between the year of birth and death, is a dash mark. It's that dash, she said, that represents one's life experiences, and those experiences should be dictated by the individual.
"What will your dash represent?" She asked. "Only you can decide what impact you can have in the world," she continued, urging the graduates not to count on others to make decisions for them.
As for serving others, Hummel said, "Never underestimate the power of the presence you have just by being in the life of someone else."
Graduate Kyle Houseman read his original poem, "Take a Bow." In it, he said some people in his graduating class will "fail or fall." Many, he said, will "fly."
"Tomorrow we take our dive, but today we take our bow," Houseman said at his poem's finish.
Fellow classmate Alexis Snyder performed "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton. The concert band, of which several graduates were members, performed "American Salute" by Morton Gould.
Graduates
Line Mountain's graduating class of 2012 are Daniel M. Adams, Thomas L. Angelo, Mae I. Barry, Martin M. Beninsky, Macy K. Bethge, Alex R. Bobb, Tyler R. Bonawitz, Eric T. Bortz, Zachary K. Buffington, Joshua J. Carl, Danielle J. Clouser, Maggie B. Coleman, Michael T. Cotner, Christian L. Dawson, Tiffany M. Dreibelbis, Luke J. Erdman, Nathan W. Erdman, Jesse T. Feese, Aaron D. Ferster, Brooke A. Fetterhoff, Doc McDonnell Gaugler IV, Ashley R. Geiswhite, Alexis A. Glosek, Mark W. Harner, Chase M. Hogarty, Kyle A. Houseman, Matthew P. Howerter, Alexander J. Karlovich, Kevin G. Keim Jr., Wyatt L. Kerstetter, Joseph J. Kimbrel, Blaine D. Klinger, Courtney L. Klinger, Adam D. Heim Kritzer, Kimberly M. Krumbine, Terry J. LaForme, Chelsea A. Lahr, Connor A. Laudenslager, Ashley E. Lauver, Shelly A. Lenker, Keana A. Lesher, Kasey M. Long, Rebecca L. Long, Scot R. Madison Jr., Timothy J. Marciniak, Alyssa L. Martz, Joshua L. Martz, Jessica S. May, Michelle Menko, Cody J. Merth, Nicholas C. Michael, Patrick M. Milks, Ayla M. Minnier, Kyra J. Noblit, Shawn A. O'Brien, Anthony M. Peipher, Amy L. Percoskie, Kevin M. Ray, Amanda D. Rebuck, Cody A. Rebuck, Courtney A. Rebuck, Sara E. Reed, Taylor A. Reed, Elizabeth J. Reichenbach, Brady S. Renn, Austin M. Roth, Rachel C. Savidge, Codie A. Schaffner, Lindsey B. Schankweiler, Kaleb M. Schlegel, Alexander C. Scott, Harley R. Shaffer, Nathan E. Shaffer, Taylor M. Shepley, Adam M. Snyder, Alexis J. Snyder, Jesse B. Snyder, Jordan F. Specht, Gabrielle E. H. Sprenkle, Jeffrey A. Stamm, Alexxis M. Stiely, Corey A. Straub Jr., Tyler J. Strause, Benjamin, A. Strohecker, Kyle A. Troutman, Brittany L. Vogel, Alexis N. Wasko, Wade W. Wetzel, Jenna L. Wheary, Mikhail E. Whitcomb, Brittany D. White, Joseph C. Whitehead, Emily E. Wingert, Chelsea L. Witmer, Jared J. Wood, Kaila A. Wynn, Kirsten M. E. Wynn, Dillon M. Yeager, Rachel E. Zeiders and Mason A. Zimmerman.