MONROE - If it wasn't the tassels getting in their eyes, it was the tears.
As 176 graduating seniors said goodbye to Monroe High School Sunday at the Performing Arts Center, they also bid farewell to five of the school's long-time teachers who are retiring this year.
Senior Aaron Bristow, in his welcome speech at the commencement, recognized the discipline each teacher dealt in their classrooms.
The teachers "led by example," and knew that students have to "fall in order to learn, and were there when we got back up," he said.
English teacher Todd Trampe, "endowed with the power of speech," taught his students to "articulate, enunciate and express themselves," Bristow said.
Launa Carter, who also taught English, was "never afraid of anything or anyone ... an original gangster of sorts," he added.
Bristow described band instructor Tom Schilt, as having "a steady baton," and dedicated to his work and his students.
Social studies teacher Jerry Guth has catlike reflexes and always played fair, while Gene Haffele used a relaxed demeanor in his science classes, Bristow said.
Schilt was the students' choice to give the commencement address. The theme for his address was "turn around."
As a freshman at Monroe High School in 1966, little did he realize he would be giving this speech 43 years later, Schilt said.
Schilt told the graduates to take time to remember their mistakes and accomplishments of the past, to experience the present and focus on the support of family and friends.
The graduates must set a path for the future where they continue "with ambition, patience and perseverance" to develop the skills they have learned at Monroe High School, Schilt said.
Senior Peter Kelly, who gave the student speech, took his fellow classmates through their days of growing up, of the times they have enjoyed together and will remember long after they are gone. Not the least of which was hall decorating champs four years in a row, he said.
Kelly also recalled their "season of farewells," referring to saying good-bye to school traditions including, the last dance, last play, last fine arts festival, last sports and last good-byes, "as we stand on the threshold of the rest of our lives."
Twenty percent of the 176 seniors graduated with honors Sunday, over one-fourth of the class were members of the National Honor Society.
As 176 graduating seniors said goodbye to Monroe High School Sunday at the Performing Arts Center, they also bid farewell to five of the school's long-time teachers who are retiring this year.
Senior Aaron Bristow, in his welcome speech at the commencement, recognized the discipline each teacher dealt in their classrooms.
The teachers "led by example," and knew that students have to "fall in order to learn, and were there when we got back up," he said.
English teacher Todd Trampe, "endowed with the power of speech," taught his students to "articulate, enunciate and express themselves," Bristow said.
Launa Carter, who also taught English, was "never afraid of anything or anyone ... an original gangster of sorts," he added.
Bristow described band instructor Tom Schilt, as having "a steady baton," and dedicated to his work and his students.
Social studies teacher Jerry Guth has catlike reflexes and always played fair, while Gene Haffele used a relaxed demeanor in his science classes, Bristow said.
Schilt was the students' choice to give the commencement address. The theme for his address was "turn around."
As a freshman at Monroe High School in 1966, little did he realize he would be giving this speech 43 years later, Schilt said.
Schilt told the graduates to take time to remember their mistakes and accomplishments of the past, to experience the present and focus on the support of family and friends.
The graduates must set a path for the future where they continue "with ambition, patience and perseverance" to develop the skills they have learned at Monroe High School, Schilt said.
Senior Peter Kelly, who gave the student speech, took his fellow classmates through their days of growing up, of the times they have enjoyed together and will remember long after they are gone. Not the least of which was hall decorating champs four years in a row, he said.
Kelly also recalled their "season of farewells," referring to saying good-bye to school traditions including, the last dance, last play, last fine arts festival, last sports and last good-byes, "as we stand on the threshold of the rest of our lives."
Twenty percent of the 176 seniors graduated with honors Sunday, over one-fourth of the class were members of the National Honor Society.