By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Graduating seniors of Niles High School's Class of 2008 made their way to the front rows of the auditorium at the high school Wednesday night to take part in this year's Baccalaureate service.
Friends and family members stood to recognize those seniors taking part in the service as they entered the auditorium to a round of "Pomp &Circumstance" performed by the Niles High School Band.
Pastor Jeffrey Whittaker of the Niles Area Ministerial Association, who performed the invocation for the evening, offered students words of comfort – that their ability for success – was already in their hands.
He added, attendants had come together to honor God and those students.
"God alone is the author, of all the abilities and talents and gifts," each student has to offer and they were being honored "for working hard to take these gifts and give increase to them," he said.
There was also a moment of silence for the beloved Tim Tyler who passed away Tuesday. Tyler had been a former member and president of the Niles Community School Board.
Attendants of the Baccalaureate service, including those graduating seniors, rose to their feet during the performance of Praise &Worship, an "evangelical-free praise band" which included a full set of songs including "Open the eyes of my heart." Following was a performance of "Life Song" by Sam Whittaker.
Pastor Bob Morton addressed the graduates with enthusiasm and sincerity. As he moved out from behind the podium, taking center stage, he admitted he was a little nervous. The nervousness, he said as he looked out into the eyes of members of the class of 2008 – draped in yellow and blue – was because as he looked at them, "I see potentially the most powerful people in the world today."
Then he made sure to clarify the meaning of the word "potential."
"You haven't done anything yet," he said.
As Morton spoke, there was a real sense of excitement. Morton took the stage around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night. By that time tonight – commencement for the graduating class of 2008, which begins at 7, will be under way.
Niles will see the commencement of what Superintendent Doug Law said previously, will be "the largest class to graduate from Niles Community School in recent memory."
As Baccalaureate came to an end and the future graduates made their way through what will soon cease to be "their" hallways, it seems likely that Morton's words would echo in their minds.
"When you get that diploma," Morton said. "That is a ticket to do something important."