BLOOMSBURG - The valedictorian of the Southern Columbia Area Class of 2011 found words of wisdom recently from a surprising source - in a fortune cookie.
It read "don't wait for others to open the right doors for you," said Erin Eichen Wednesday night to the 99 other members of her class at the Haas Center for the Arts Mitrini Hall, Bloomsburg University.
"We can't wait for others to show us what to do in life. No matter what your plans are for after high school, a new door is always waiting to be opened. All we need to do is take action and open the doors to our future," she said.
She encouraged her fellow classmates to set their goals high and never give up.
"No one knows what direction our lives may take us or where we might end up, but this is just the beginning," she said.
While it might be the end of their high school career, she said, they now have the opportunity to chase their dreams by using the lessons they learned from their mistakes and experiences during the last four years.
"By doing this, we will be
able to open any door we want in the future," she said.
In a similar message, Ryan Mensch - the high school English teacher - said the class has a small window of opportunity to become what they want to become with ease.
"It never closes fully, but it is never more wide open than it is right now," said Mensch.
The students will scatter in different directions, but regardless of where they go, the only way each will be happy, successful and reach personal goals is to be his or her own person, he said.
"Chase your dreams" with no regrets, enthusiasm and through the open window, he said.
Salutatorian Alex Sassani said the school has been a shelter for them the past 12 years, but the shell must be broken.
"We cannot be content to just go with the flow, if we hope to succeed in life. You must work and persevere to achieve your goals rather than shy away from challenges," he said.
Life will always have obstacles - "Like Kid Cudi, we are all on the pursuit of happiness and everything that shines ain't always going to be gold," he said - but these difficulties are tests to their character, and only the strong and enduring will prevail.
Class President Aleaha Jones said graduation marks a new beginning, quoting Francos Rabelais' last words of "I got to seek a Great Perhaps."
"Today we are all prepared to follow our own Great Perhaps into a future that is promising and uncertain," she said. "Just as we will take our diplomas home with us today, we also take with us the memories and experiences of Southern Columbia, everything that has prepared us for our perhaps."
The graduating members of the Southern Columbia Area Class of 2011 are Cenan Abdul-Al, Telsa Achy, Dante Anskis, Timothy Benner, Eleni Bennett, Jeremy Berkheiser, JoEllen Blass, Claire Brassard, Rebecca Bryden, Frank Buck, Desirae Buxton, Molly Carl, Lindsey Clark, Sarah Cotter, Samantha Counsil, Nicholas Cove, Cody Croall, Kelsey Damagard, Gabrielle DeBach, Michael Dobson, Brett Duell, Erin Eichen, Vanessa Erdman, Cortnie Ettinger, Alex Fidler, Jessica Fink, Melena Gallina, Kale Graboski, Alisha Gutekunst, Tessa Haas, Ariana Hajdu, Dakota Hays, Kurt Henrie, Matthew Hoffman, Douglas Honabach, Austin James, Aleaha Jones, Paula Kester, Taylor Kilmer, Robert Knause, Elise Krankoski, Taylor Kreischer, Brenda Krock, Kathleen Lazarski, Adam Leisenring, Robert Leshinski, Katelyn Madara, Zachary Malett, Alexa Marinelli, Jordan Marks, Jessica McKenney, Christopher Medon, Logen Mensinger, Westley Mills, Michael Moore, Jacob Morton, Erin Moser, Chase Moyer, David Nagle, Blake Nevius, Janessa Nichols, Alexandra Oley, Brooke Pavlick, Alyssa Piez, Grant Rarig, Sara Raup, Hayden Reed, Renee Rhoades, Taylor Rhodes, James Ridner, Micaela Riley, Ashley Roberts, Elizabeth Rogers, Cody Rosenberger, Jesse Rutkoski, Alex Sassani, Zachary Schreffler, Rachael Scicchitano, Rebecca Shoup, Taylor Shutt, Mackenzie Silver, Ethan Snyder, Ben Sorensen, Frederick Spaid, Kathryn Springer, Ian Stout, Misty Straub, Cody Swanger, Taylor Toczylousky, Tyler Torres, Jacob Townsend, Brian Watkins, Joshua Weiss, Joshua Wells, Marcus Wengrenovich, Shannon West, Sarah Yeager, Colton Yeick, Emily Yoder and Karissa Zins.
The 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Recognition Award went to Clay Yeager, class of 1969. He has served the interest of at-risk children for over 36 years in the public, private and non-profit sectors.