Seniors take last steps as high school students

Darla Slipke

Paloma Hoffman woke up and waited for her alarm to ring for school Friday morning, excited it was Friday before she remembered that high school was finished and she was about to graduate.

It was a realization that hadn’t set in for many Stillwater seniors, even after they prepared to receive their diplomas inside Gallagher-Iba Arena Friday night.

Longtime friends Su Hong and Cameron Gilbreath shared a hug in the room where an expected 361 graduates from Stillwater High School and Lincoln Alternative Academy gathered to line up.

“We’re just sad that it’s finally over,” Hong said. “It went by so fast.”

The two will head in separate directions in the fall. Hong plans to attend the University of Maryland, and Gilbreath is heading to the University of Oklahoma.

Hong is already looking forward to their 10-year reunion. Gilbreath said he would miss the corny yet inspiring cheer that Principal Uwe Gordon uses to rally students at pep assemblies when he asks each section of the student body: “Who are we?” and they respond “Pioneers.”

Applause and cheers filled the arena as soon as the procession of graduates began, and the standing ovation from parents, teachers and family continued long after the graduates had all filtered in.

Some marched forward boldly, while others stepped more cautiously. Their ambitions are as varied as their personalities - aspiring author, nurse, small business owner and engineer.

Senior Class President Lauren Brewer challenged students to make a life they would be proud of, and to live by the words of Henry David Thoreau: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.”

Keynote speaker Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis encouraged students to find their passion, to be creative and to explore.

“The world is changing so fast that you will likely be preparing for a job that hasn’t even been invented yet,” Hargis said.

Senior members of the Pioneer Chorale ended their performance of “With a Little Help From My Friends,” by linking hands before melting into a giant group hug.

Before walking across the stage, students each used a squirt of hand sanitizer after the Payne County Health Department confirmed Thursday that a Stillwater High student had recovered from swine flu.

Seniors have many memories from high school that they will carry with them. Many of those memories were captured in photos set to music in a video presentation played on giant screens during Friday’s ceremony.

Lincoln graduate Marika Dickens has fond memories of people rubbing her belly when she was pregnant with her son, Jamiere, now 2, and of teachers, like Aaron Frisby, who inspired her and motivated her to succeed.

Dickens is planning to attend Langston University in the fall, and hopes to become a nurse. She won’t forget her family at Lincoln.

“I hate that I’m leaving,” Dickens said. “I’m going to keep coming back. They won’t be able to get rid of me.”

After the ceremony, many students were headed to the Colvin Center at OSU for a post-graduation party designed to provide a safe, drug-free celebration. Festivities were to include ping pong tables, a casino area, inflatable activities, raffles, food, character sketches and more.