Dexter Graduates Prepare for College, Workforce

A sea of maroon and yellow filled gymnasium on Sunday as 266 seniors participated in the 2011 commencement exercises.

“This event is a momentous one in the lives of our seniors, and it as much a celebration as it is a farewell,” National Honor Society president Corey Bown told the hundreds of parents, relatives and other observers in attendance. “Today is the culmination of everything these young men and women have accomplished for the past 13 years. As each student crosses the stage this afternoon, I invite you consider to the enormous commitment to learning he or she has made.”

Before receiving their diplomas, three seniors—chosen by Principal William “Kit” Moran—addressed their peers.

“High school is a journey; it has twists, bends, bumps and hills. When we began this crazy trip, we packed up the knowledge and experiences we had gained in middle school and eagerly, or timidly, got on the track that would determine our future,” student Cameron Maisch said. “Whether our engines were revving with excitement or sputtering with anxiety, we cruised into high school with a variety of expectations and goals, and a vague idea of how to address them.”

Michael Wendorf, vice president of the Dexter Community Schools Board of Education, said he was pleased with the Class of 2011’s accomplishments.

“It’s taken a lot to get us here, but as our name, Dexter Community Schools, implies, it was a community effort,” Wendorf said. “Each of our graduates will always have a home here in Dexter.”

Addressing the graduates, Superintendent Mary Marshall issued a challenge: “Eleanor Roosevelt once said that life is what you make of it. Whether your desire is to receive a paycheck, create widgets or keep our country safe … will you continue to make a difference?”

Student Acacia Dishman, who will attend the University of Michigan in the fall, said she plans to study biomedical or chemical engineering.

“I’ll definitely miss high school, especially my time on the cross-country and track teams,” she said.

For a list of all awards and scholarships for the Class of 2011, visit web.dexterschools.org, select Dexter High School and click on the "DHS Updates" link.