Medora – Proof that the old proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” has some truth to it can be found in this small southwestern Jackson County community at least once a year.

That’s the night in late May when school officials award hard-earned diplomas to the seniors and then sends them out into the world.

On Friday night, the 23 members of the Class of 2018 wrapped up there high school years during the school’s annual commencement exercise, 107 years after the first was held in 1911.

Graduation is always a time of hope for the future, mixed with uncertainty and perhaps even a tinge or a tear of sadness, and this year’s graduates were no different.

Salutatorian Lillie Hatfield said despite struggling through certain classes, stressing about grades and even contemplating dropping out about three times a day, the class worked together through it all.

“All of our hard work is starting to pay off; we are graduating,” she said. “We all have different paths in this world. Some have already found theirs and others are still looking.

“Whatever we end up doing in life, we will always have the memories we built together to look back on and cherish. Our lives are about to change forever.”

Valedictorian Allison Carney said although everyone is moving on, the class would be a part of her forever.

“My Northern Star; my solid ground; and the small clear voice in my head that will always be with me,” she said.

Carney said she truly hopes the best for her classmates wherever life might take them.

Just minutes before presentation of the diplomas with the help of Superintendent Roger Bane, school board President Joe Campbell said people often talk about how the bigger schools can offer more educational opportunities than one of the state’s smallest schools.

That, however, hasn’t seem to have bothered any of the members of the previous graduating classes and it won’t matter to the 2018 grads. That’s because many of past graduates have gone to become educators, bankers, plant managers and community leaders, Campbell said.

He said more than 50 percent of this year’s class plans to pursue secondary education — something that can be viewed as positive. It’s the result of the work and dedication from everyone in not just the school including administrators, teachers, staff, but parents, friends and the community as a whole, Campbell said.

Graduate Zach Owen said his first order of business after graduation is to get a job to support his child.

“Afterwards I’m going to go to college,” he said.

His goal is to attend Lincoln Tech in Indianapolis to study mechanical engineering.

Prayon Phillips said he has not made any plans for the future although he’s contemplating the possibility of joining the Navy.

“I’ve always want to travel the world and that would be a good way to do it,” he said.