Blissfield Graduates 91 Students

Blissfield High School graduated 91 students at commencement exercises held in the high school gymnasium Friday, June 4.

The Class of 2010 closed an important chapter in their lives with a ceremony filled with music, shared memories and hopeful words for the future. Guest Speaker Phil McVoy told the graduating class that he wanted to celebrate their achievements demonstrating the students’ commitment to excellence. He spoke of a seventh grade social studies lesson highlighting the Gaza dispute between the Jews and Palestinians. Some students, he said, used their Bibles to argue their case. Others took up the side of the Palestinians, even if they disagreed with their theology. And others, McVoy said, remained silent.

“Regardless of the part you played during this controversial dialogue, our classroom was transformed into an institution of human rights and dignity,” he said. “We were committed to excellence. We opened our hearts and our minds to peacefully discuss geography, economics, politics, religion and philosophy in a war-torn region of the world in an effort to foster and nourish humanitarian values.”

McVoy noted that it would be difficult for graduates to make a mark on the world.

“You’re all going to choose different paths and journeys along the way to achieve your success. Along the way, count on encountering roadblocks. Although you can’t avoid all these roadblocks, you have the power to choose to go around or find an alternative route around the roadblocks,” he said. “Choose to persevere and let no one detract you from your success. Class of 2010, turn your road blocks into building blocks. Put into practice what you’ve learned here at Blissfield Community Schools and move forward.”

Jane Pearson, Senior Class Vice president, congratulated her peers on their achievement during a welcoming address.

“This day is cause for much celebration and joy. We’ve grown together over the years and developed a relationship which I know many of us will miss. But today is about moving on and moving forward in our lives,” she said.

Senior class member Jenna Goetz recalled some of the shared memories, including Purple and Gold Day, Homecoming events and middle school mixers.

“Yes, we’ve had many great memories and learned a lot from them. Now we have all these experiences we have learned from, the good and the not so good, that have made us the young adults we are today,” Goetz said, likening the experiences to pieces of a puzzle. “So today, we will take the pieces and put them together, and we will use them to make good choices for ourselves and our bright futures.”

Following Goetz’s remarks, diplomas were presented by Blissfield Board of Education President Noel Eisenmann, Superintendent Scott Moellenberndt, high school principal Jerry Johnson and administrative assistant Cris Rupp. Johnson certified the graduates, who tossed flipped their tassles and tossed their caps toward the gymnasium rafters.

After the recessional, the members of the class, family and friends shared embraces and snapped pictures outside.

Eric Ford said he was glad to be finished with high school.

“It feels good to finally be done and to move on with my life,” said Ford, who said his favorite memories would probably be going to classes and hanging around with friends. Ford plans to attend Michigan State University for agriculture-related studies.

Lauren Lievens couldn’t find words to describe how she felt about graduating.

“It felt awesome. It’s indescribable. It felt so good. It’s definitely sad to be leaving here because this is where all my memories are, but I’m really glad to move on in life and go to college,” said Lievens, who said Blissfield Community Schools prepared her well for the future. “They did a really good job here at Blissfield preparing us for everything, so I think I’m good to go.”

Lievens plans to study physiotherapy at University of Toledo.