CASSOPOLIS — On Sunday afternoon, a crowd of parents, friends and community members packed the gymnasium at Ross Beatty Jr.-Sr. High School to watch the commencement ceremony for the 139th Cassopolis High School graduating class.

In total, 53 high school students walked across the stage.

“We are gathered to honor the 2018 graduates of Ross Beatty High School and their scholastic achievements,” said Principal David VanLue at the opening of the ceremony.

The ceremony kicked off with the Cassopolis DFV Honor Guards proconing across the gymnasium floor, covered with a blue mat and placing the American flag in a stand to the side of the stage. During this, the crowd stood for the National Anthem played by the high school band.

Class of 2018 graduate Daniel Young Jr. then took the stage to greet those in attendance, and inform that they “may be seated.”

“We must thank our families, teachers, administrators and school staff for all they’ve done to make this [possible],” said Young. “We would like to take a moment of silence and reflection for this year’s graduates.”

Once people were allowed to speak again, the 2018 salutatorian Amelia Ayers took the stage to talk about the impact the Cassopolis High School community had on her and the senior class.

“What makes this place special and different from anywhere else you’ve lived?” Ayers said. “It’s those important aspects that will stick with you throughout the rest of your life. I’ll tell you what sticks out about Cassopolis to me: our diversity and our ability to work together despite our differences. That’s something unique to our community that not everyone gets to experience.”

She also spoke about how because it is a small school, it is easy to focus on the negative aspects of their high school, such as a lack of funding or not having a pool on school grounds. She said there is so much more to Cassopolis than those “technical obstacles” that students can be excited about, such as the opportunity to do student government, sports and a variety of extracurriculars all in the same school year.

Next the valedictorian, Amy Adams, took the stage and spoke on how after high school, it is important for her and her classmates to constantly be challenged to become better versions of themselves.

“You cannot be stagnant. Just as stagnant water is breeding grounds for bacteria and mosquitos, a stagnant life is breeding grounds for compliancy and regret,” Adams said. “So let’s push ourselves [towards] our goals and see just how much we can achieve.”

She also said that neither her or her classmates should let anyone tell them what they cannot accomplish — even themselves.

The final featured speaker of the afternoon was Peter Anderson, a 1988 Cassopolis High School graduate, who was introduced to the audience by his nephew and 2018 graduate Brandon Anderson.

In Peter Anderson’s speech, he told the students to take chance.

“Stop thinking of failure as the enemy of success,” Anderson said. “I can tell you with full confidence that this is not the case.”

But he also says they should be humble while doing so.

“If you want to create the life you want, be humble,” he said.

Following Anderson’s speech, the senior band members gave a special performance, which segued into guidance counselor Alisa Doll recognizing all of the seniors who received scholarship to help them further their education after high school.

“I am honored today to extend congratulations to those students who have received post-academic scholarships,” Doll said. “Students who received scholarships, please stand and face the audience.”

22 students received a scholarship, totaling more than $1.4 million. The audience’s applause roared throughout the gymnasium.

Towards the end of the ceremony, the students walked on stage, one by one, and were awarded their diplomas and had the tassels on their caps moved from one side to the other.

Closing comments were given by 2018 graduate Xander Smith on behalf of his class.

“As we complete our celebration, please continue to think of each of as we set out to pursue our future goals and dreams.” Smith said. “Some of us will go onto college or trade schools. Some will get jobs. Some will marry and have families and some of this group will be defending and protecting this great nation of ours. We are closing a chapter in our lives and beginning a new one. As alumni of Cassopolis, we hope to go out into the world and make it a better place, not just for us, but for future generations.”

The last person to take the podium was VanLue.

“It’s my pleasure to introduce the class of 2018,” he said, as every graduating senior in attendance tossed their blue caps in the air, ending their journey as students of Cassopolis Public Schools.