Horlick High School's 2013 graduation ceremony hit all the right notes; there was plenty of pomp and the musical selections from both the choir and the band sent just the right message.
And there was also a lot of humor. Directing Principal Angela Apmann's thanked the students for "decorating" her front lawn Saturday night with a variety of items including a big, stuffed banana.
"I mean, what do you do with a big, stuffed banana?" she asked to shouts of laughter and applause.
Horlick's two Valedictorians - yes, two - also used a little comedy.
John Chen spoke first, saying he wasn't any happier to give the speech than the audience was to hear it and that like every other assignment in high school, he did it the night before. He also recalled some of the highlights of his years at Horlick.
"There's that sense of pride we feel when we beat Park and Case at practically everything," he said. "... and that incredible awkwardness when you realize what a high school dance is really like."
But more importantly, he hoped his fellow graduates would go out into the world with a sense of purpose, walking with determination, confidence and ... swagger.
"Because no one likes to be caught with their swag out," he explained.
Madeline Ford admitted to being a little nervous to give a speech and said she'd feel more comfortable performing a cheer routine in front of the crowd. She listed some fears she faced as a student at Horlick, using the points as a way to point out that the class of 2013 has too much potential to let fear stand in their way.
"From picking out classes in eighth grade to not knowing your way around as a freshman ... to senior year and finding the perfect prom dress," she said. "We are all Horlick Rebels ... (we will) make a change in the world."
Ford described her classmates as caring, humble, independent and passionate and said she was looking forward to future reunions to find out all the great things they'd do.
"But for now, best wishes," she concluded. "Class of 2013, we did it."
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