Portage High School waved goodbye to the Class 2012 at the Graduation Commencement Ceremony on the PHS football field on Sunday afternoon. Friends and family members packed to the stands and batted the extreme heat in order to show support for their Portage senior. Well over 500 students walked in this year’s graduation.
The program got underway with a welcome from Principal Caren Swickard and the performing of the National Anthem by senior Erica Gaffney. A musical presentation was delivered by the senior choir members as they performed Like an Eagle.
Swickard gave a special welcome to many of the guests in attendance. The list included Superintendent Mike Berta, Associate Superintendent E. Ric Frataccia, Title 1 and Special Student Programs Coordinator Debra Dudek, Director of Finance Sharon Qualkenbush, School Board President Glenda Owens, Secretary Debra Ekdahl and members Cheryl Oprisko and Rhonda Nelson.
The first student to speak was Senior Class President Shubhkarman Multani. Multani thanked his parents and the parents of his classmates for their constant support. He also congratulated the members of the administrative staff for the exceptional job they did in rolling out a full class of graduates ready for the real world.
“We’ve been fighting this battle of schooling ever since the decade began and now, 12 years later, we’ve won. We have something special inside of us that we will never lose- ambition,” Multani said.
The next address was delivered by Salutatorian Zachary Lundy. Lundy described how long the seniors’ journey had been, but he is glad that they reached the end of it together. He also talked about the camaraderie of the Class of 2012.
“That brotherhood that we’ve created sets the Class of 2012 apart from others and that enthusiasm for life shows how ready we are to go out and tackle the world,” Lundy said.
Valedictorian Joshua Sullivan was the final graduate to speak. One highlight of his address was his recognition of all the graduates who plan to serve in the armed forces and all of the attendees that have served the United States. Sullivan also discussed the legacy that the Class of 2012 will leave behind.
“The world may not remember all of us, but it will remember what we do in it,” he said. “Even in high school, it is our legacy that will be remembered. It is what we do that is remembered, not who we are.”
Sunday was also a very special and bittersweet day for Superintendent Mike Berta. He spoke at graduation for the final time before entering his retirement at the end of the month.
“I am confident that each of you in your own special way is excited as you conclude a journey that you began in Kindergarten,” Berta said. “I don’t personally know each one of you and you don’t personally know me, but I have known the thousands of my students who have sat where you are sitting right now. I know that in each one of you there is knowledge, passion and love. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives, thanks for being an important part of mine.”
Assistant Principal Mr. Andrew Halaschak is also entering his retirement. He completed his annual duty of reading the names of the graduates for the final time. As Halaschak read the names, Swickard shook hands with them while Berta and Frataccia handed out the diplomas.
A long, amazing and difficult journey wrapped up for the departing seniors Sunday with the commencement ceremony. The Class of 2012 has left its mark on Portage High School and will now proceed to find its place in the outside world.
Click here for a full photo gallery of the PHS Class of 2012 Commencement Ceremony!