MEDORA — The 12 most recent graduates of Medora High School closed one chapter of their lives Friday night and launched themselves into another one featuring all kinds of possibilities.

“Today is no small accomplishment,” Valedictorian Jenna Bowers said during the school’s 124th commencement in the gymnasium.

“It’s the biggest achievement any of us can claim at this point in our lives,” she said. “Today serves as a launching point for our future endeavors. The unimaginable amount of possibilities this day opens up is truly breathtaking. This is the beginning of a journey that that can take us anywhere.”

Bowers said graduation is a time of reflecting on the past and looking onward to the future.

“It is a time that we as graduates get together for one last time before moving on to bigger (and hopefully better) adventures,” Bowers said.

While his plans for the future aren’t real settled, Classmate Elisha Murphin said he hopes to save up some money to go to college.

He likes working with animals and might consider a career as a veterinarian tech.

“I am still trying to figure that out,” Murphin said of his career.

Another senior, Carolyn Sparks, was a little surer about her future.

“My plans are to become a photographer,” she said. “I am going to miss the teachers and everyone here. It was such as pleasure.”

Bowers said for most of the graduates, high school was more than just classes and grades.

“It was about finding out who we are, pushing ourselves beyond limits, and more often than not, trying to convince ourselves that dropping out wasn’t worth it,” she said. “We’ve faced tests and hardships, both in the classroom and in life, and I think it’s safe to say we’ve all come out stronger.

“Graduates, I encourage all of you to follow your dreams and realize your full potential. As I speak of the future, let us not forget about all of the unforgettable times we had. From our hallway shenanigans to our whole class gossip sessions, there was never a dull moment inside or outside of the classroom with you all.

“As I find myself reflecting on the most significant influences on my life, I think I speak on behalf of all my fellow classmates when I say that the Medora faculty made an important impact on all of our journeys.”

She said thanked the faculty and staff and said they all have been more than just teachers to the students.

“You have been family,” Bowers said. “So, with that being said, I want to sincerely thank all of you for all of the sacrifices you have made for us, for putting up with all of our nonsense, and most of all, for being guides when we had no one else to turn to. Your dedication went beyond the classroom, and it is something I will be forever grateful for.”

“As I look back, I remember our class in its earliest days — we started with over 20 eager faces,” Salutatorian Jordan Starr said. “Some have moved away, others have taken different paths, but today 12 of us stand here today as Medora graduates. Each of us has grown, not just in height, but in wisdom, in kindness, and in spirit.

“Together, we’ve celebrated successes, supported each other through challenges, and created memories that bring us together. Today we stand with the greatest achievement of our lives yet through hard work and sheer determination we are led here today.

“This is just the first chapter of our books of life and hopefully there will be many more. This is where our paths all separate to each our own route of life, but we will carry our shared lessons and experience. “

Medora graduates launch new chapter in their lives