Dowagiac Class of 2016 crosses finish line

Published 5:35 pm Sunday, June 5, 2016

By Ted Yoakum

While the wind blowing across the greens of Chris Taylor Alumni Field nearly blew the caps of their heads, the weather served as an appropriate metaphor as the Class of 2016 assembled one last time Sunday afternoon.

Speaking in front of her fellow Chieftains, Senior Valedictorian Jessica Burns remarked that following the conclusion of their graduation ceremony, she and her classmates would scatter their own directions after spending the last 12 years learning alongside one another while sharing some unforgettable experiences.

“Today is when our similarities will end, because on the other side of this field is the real world,” Burns said. “Now, on the threshold of our adult lives, our experiences will deviate from one another. Some of us will become highly successful, while others of us will go on to carry out an average life, and some will walk down more difficult paths than others.

“No matter what is path is chosen, each will contain their fair share of challenges. When hardships arise, it is important to remember how essential it is to work hard, because as long as one works hard, they will achieve their desired results.”

Burns was one of 140 Chieftains who officially turned their tassels Sunday, during Dowagiac Union High School’s 151st commencement that took place that afternoon. The stands of the football field overflowed, as proud parents, siblings, extended family and friends looked on to cheer the outgoing seniors as they moved on to the next chapter of their young lives.

The Class of 2016 is one that achieved excellence in many different areas of their education: musically, athletically and of course academically, said Union Schools Superintendent Paul Hartsig in his remarks during the ceremony. In terms of the last category, 46 percent of the class graduated with 3.0 GPA or higher, receiving more than $800,000 worth of college scholarships in the process, Hartsig said.

Similar to his classmate, Salutatorian Justin Yakim also encouraged the class to remember the virtues of facing their struggles after high school head on. Quoting from a passage in the book “Illusions,” Yakim said that at the heart of every challenge one faces is a gift, and that by taking the easy way out of problems one never sees reward.

“I wish all of you best of luck in your future endeavors,” Yakim said. “Remember to challenge yourself, work hard and never back down from your problems, and I guarantee you’ll be successful no matter where you go from here.”

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