Class of 2006 dismissed - RAF Lakenheath

Jet48Feature
Class of
2006
dismissed
Photo by Airman Jessica Snow
By Tech. Sgt. Renee Kirkland
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Anticipation hung in the air as parents,
teachers, friends, co-workers and family
members gathered for the start of the
Lakenheath High School commencement
ceremony June 9. In the majestic setting,
voices rose as the excitement of the occasion
overtook the normally quiet pews of
Ely Cathedral.
The ceremony opened with remarks by
James McAdams, LHS principal. After
acknowledging the special guests in attendance,
including the commanders of the
48th Fighter Wing and the 100th Air
Refueling Wing, a solemn quiet befell the
audience as the LHS Junior ROTC cordon
moved into position. With a clash of steel,
the cordon members raised their swords and
the crowd rose to welcome the class of
2006. Two-by-two, the 133 seniors marched
the length of the cathedral and took their
places on the raised stands.
The graduation ceremony marked the
beginning of a new era for these young men
and women.
“We close the door to high school and
open a new door,” said salutatorian Jennifer
Denise Carlon as she addressed her fellow
students. “Life is a journey, not a destination.
Remember you are not alone on this
journey today. The encouragement we’ve
received from our parents was and will continue
to be a big part of our lives.”
The guest speaker for the evening was
teacher John Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore praised
the students for the effort that went into
coming this far.
“Tireless hours have been put in by the
students and teachers. Some of the students
know what they want to do in college and
beyond,” he said. “Some have even taken
AP classes, which they know stands for
absolutely pathetic,” he joked.
Mr. Gilmore entertained the student body
and guests as he spoke about persistence.
He implored the graduates to believe in the
extraordinary.
“Don’t be the ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda,’
be the ‘did’ when it come to your lives. I
hope you get your dreams!”
Co-valedictorian Kimberly Carlon spoke
on remembering the past and rejoicing in
the future and left her class with the following
advice, “life is short and not guaranteed,
make the most of today.”
Co-valedictorian Kallie Hedberg pled for
her fellow graduates to make something of
their lives, “Do not allow your high school
years to be the best years of your life,” she
said. “Seek to discover your own way. Step
out of this cathedral—the world is waiting!”
Class president, Ashley Gant, ended the
ceremony with this message to her fellow
classmates, “It’s our gifts and our diligence
to get what we want that has brought us this
far,” she said. “This class revealed its greatness…we
head into the future searching
boldly for what we have to offer. As we let
our light shine, we give permission to let
others shine too.”
The students lined up and received their
diplomas and thanked their family and
friends for their support in their high school
years and offered advice to their classmates.
As one student said, “Shoot for the moon.
Even if you miss, you’ll land on the stars.”
Congratulations LHS class of 2006.
Photo by Airman Jessica Snow
Photo by Airman Jessica Snow
Photo by Tech. Sgt. James Thompson
Photo by Tech. Sgt. James Thopson
PAGE 14 JET 48 MAGAZINE JUNE 16, 2006
JET 48 MAGAZINE PAGE 15