‘You will be successful,’ teacher tells graduates

BY CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@shawnews.com Shaw News Service

Jessica Sullivan moves her tassel over Sunday at the end of the commencement ceremony at Polo High School. (CHRIS JOHNSON  -  Shaw News Service)

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POLO – When the 54 graduating seniors from Polo High School chose Donald Reece to give their commencement address Sunday, the social sciences teacher was honored – then he got to thinking.

“You wanted to give me a homework assignment,” Reece joked. “You had a deviant plan.”

But Reece took the request seriously, and he took the opportunity to write a positive speech the students would remember.

“I really hope you enjoyed school,” he said. “Every day should be the best days of your lives. School is the real world. It is a part of your life.”

“Your future is in your hands. ... Don’t listen to the naysayers. You will be successful.”

Polo had four valedictorians who earned straight A’s during their time in school: Grifin Buck, Hannah Pilla, Jessica Sullivan and Ross Wolf.

Pilla, Sullivan and Buck compared their journey through high school to the economy.

“We have had high and low points,” Buck said.

Sullivan added that economics is using few resources to get what you want. The Class of 2009’s greatest resource has been people.

The valedictorians said the graduating class did well in sports and academics, and so they wanted to acknowledge everyone who affected them along the way – staff, fellow students, and the entire community.

“We must admit there are many who have helped us,” said Buck.

“Most important is to recognize our family,” Buck said.

“We are your future,” Sullivan said. “We wish you the best of luck.”