West Liberty-Salem High School Class of 2022 valedictorian Megan Adams told her fellow graduates Sunday evening that she wrote on a verse on a whiteboard in her room at the start of their senior year, that now looking back has really come to define many of the positive characteristics of her classmates.
She first wrote down the verse as a personal encouragement for the big year ahead, from John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
“I wanted a daily reminder that no matter how overwhelmed I was or how many trials came my way, that if I shined my light for Christ, everything would be OK,” she said during commencement exercises at Tiger Stadium.
She told her peers that they have been a light and an encouragement to her.
“Thank you for being true to who you are, while still being respectful to those who are different than you,” she said. “I love that even some of us who are polar opposites are friends. I saw this throughout my time in the school musicals. Even though we have a range of personalities, we all come together to pull together a great show.”
Adams also congratulated her classmates on how they handled themselves with humility during moments that they could boast about — from breaking school records to receiving college scholarships.
She also thanked them for the ways they used their gifts of time and talent to serve others, quoting I Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
“Continue to be a light in this world. You’ve certainly impacted mine,” she told her peers in closing.
Adams plans to attend Lee University in the fall, where she will run cross country and track.
Salutatorian Isaac Reames will be studying engineering at The Ohio State University This summer, he also will begin basic training with the Ohio Air National Guard.
He encouraged his classmates to set goals for themselves as they leave high school
“We were all given this great gift of life. Whatever you’re going to next, I wish you all the best.”
Rounding out the top 10 students for the Class of 2022 are: Hallie Smith, Mandilyn Weaver, Naomi McGill, Kierra Gilroy, Micah Stoner, Emily Hollar, Aubrey Williams and Brady Forsythe.
Class President Jocelynn Kennaw also offered a welcome address to those in attendance — relating to all of the parents that she was going to make them extra happy that evening by telling them three key words.
“You were right,” she said. “These last four years went by so fast. We’ve all been looking forward to this day. But now it’s different that it’s time to say good-bye….
“The next chapter starts today and it’s up to us. I’d encourage you to fill it with significant people, places and experiences.”
In addition to Reames, those graduates recognized for their military service includes Class of 2022 members: Marenna Cox, U.S. Marine Corps; Samuel Erne, Ohio Army National Guard; Matthew Roach (posthumously), U.S. Navy; and Gage Scott, U.S. Air Force.
The school also offered a special diploma presentation to the parents of Matthew Roach prior to the ceremony.
“We’ll never forget Matt and his impact on his class and his school,” High School Principal Greg Johnson said, noting Matthew’s love of history and his involvement in many activities, ranging from playing the trombone and saxophone in the marching band to musicals and show choir.