On the same day that World War II veterans, many of them high school graduates in the early 1940s or before marked the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the subsequent victory in Europe, 150 members of the Polk County High School class of 2014 set out to make their mark in the world.
After the commencement ceremony caps flew into the air above the football field, water and firecrackers were jubilantly launched. Before that comic relief, those graduates inwardly or outwardly assessed the importance of their high school education and where they would journey with the preparations of the past four years.
“When life offers you opportunities, reach beyond what you think are your limitations,” urged honor graduate Caley Modlin.
Another honor graduate, Ryan Mollette said he was “honored to be part of such a great class. It’s hard to believe high school is over,” he said.
Class of 2014 valedictorian Jacqueline “Lindsay” Doolittle told her classmates, “We are lucky to have a staff of teachers that genuinely care for us and our futures, an administration that sees people, not numbers, and we can use our cell phones in the hallways, every 21st century high school student’s dream. We are constantly surrounded by those who love us, whether it be in the school, in our homes or in the community.”
Doolittle, like so many in Polk County said she felt the community spirit here.
“Most of us don’t realize the value of our community,” said Doolittle. “It is so close knit; everyone knows everyone and the whole county joins together for one family’s crisis.”
In closing, Doolittle encouraged her classmates to, “Always remember to seize the day everyday because you never know which day may make you one of those one in a millions, and I strongly believe that every single one of you has the potential.”
Class salutatorian Cody Cook reminded his peers that “we alone could not have gotten this far. It is to our inspiring and supportive parents who would love and comfort us just the same through both the good times and the bad, that we are eternally indebted. They were there as we took our first steps and now they are here to safely escort us into adulthood.
“Also important to recognize are the truly amazing teachers and faculty members at this institution. We at Polk County High School were blessed to have such gifted and devoted instructors who passionately shared their extent of knowledge with us in the hopes of allowing us to succeed in life. Whether it be the details of the Endosymbiont Theory, the victor of the 1896 Presidential Election, or how not to have a panic attack when faced with Derivatives, I can proudly say that we are all leaving here more intelligent than when we arrived . . . Thank you class of 2014 for all your hard work. It has certainly paid off.”
Modlin said, “PCHS offers opportunities for everyone. I found my place in the agriculture program. We are so fortunate to be at a school that encourages high academic achievement and also teaches us how to trim goat hooves . . . Polk County has been an amazing place to experience high school, where there truly is a place for everyone.”
Modlin also thanked her friends and family, without whom, she acknowledged she would not have made it this far.
Honor graduate McKenzie McCool said in some ways, experiences have meant more than grades.
“I’ve realized that grades only mean so much,” McCool said. “What really matters are the experiences we have and the memories we make. You’re not going to remember an A you got in math class; what you will remember is the time your team won first in state, the inside jokes you made with friends, and especially sitting amongst your high school classmates for the last time tonight and walking across this stage.”