By By RANDI K. PICKLEY / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Due to the possibility of inclement weather, Niles High School decided to hold its graduation ceremonies inside the gymnasium this year instead of in the stadium as planned. Mother nature had the last laugh, however, by providing a warm, sunny evening Thursday night for the event.
Before the Class of 2005 lined up to begin the processional, Betty Perkins, principal at Niles High School, told the graduating seniors that she had heard from two former students that day.
One was Aaron Smith, who called to send good wishes for her retirement and to applaud the Class of 2005. He called from Iraq where he is currently stationed. The other was a former student who now works for Delta Airlines. He greeted Perkins in person after flying in as a surprise to wish her a happy retirement.
The students then lined up and headed into the gymnasium accompanied by the band who played the traditional processional march, "Pomp and Circumstance" by Elgar.
Matt Hunckler directed the choir in a vocal rendition of "What a Wonderful World".
President of the Niles School Board, Jerry French, who addressed the Class of 2005, said of his commentary speech, "I have been asked to do something no one else has done at Niles High School before - keep it short and sweet." And he did.
Co-valedictorian, Ben Langraf, who spoke to the student body, said, "The best way to prepare for the future is to accept good advice." The good advice included quotes such as "Never stop learning" and "Never forget to take time to enjoy yourselves."
Caitlyn Hood, also a student speaker, said, "We've been taking tiny steps towards the rest of our lives," indicating that the seniors were now on the threshold of the futures.
Adding humor to his speech, senior Matt Richardson said, "The title of my speech tonight is Mission Git 'Er Done." He also added a hands-on approach to his thoughts in the form of a school knapsack filled with signs with words on them such as "Respect." "To get it you have to give it," he said.
Betty Perkins was awarded a surprise plaque that framed a special diploma making her an "honorary member of the Class of 2005."
The graduating ceremony went smoothly as each graduate received a congratulatory handshake from Superintendent of Niles Schools, Doug Law, then received their diplomas from French who was assisted by Nikki Graziani, followed by a final congratulations by Perkins.
Loud cheers arose from both the audience and the graduates as senior Anthony Austin directed the students to move their tassels to the opposite side of their mortar boards. Many of the students then threw their mortar boards into the air to complete the final phase of the graduation exercises.
The seniors were then whisked away on buses by a group of volunteer parents from Project Graduation to spend the rest of the evening at the Pennelwood Resort outside Berrien Springs. Students ate, played a variety of games, and enjoyed music by "Lost Conformity," a local band featuring Evan Kessick, who is one of the graduates. The celebration continued well into the night before the graduates headed home.
See a photo page of the celebration in Saturday's Niles Daily Star.