JANESVILLE — When Pat and Jill Anderson decided to move their family to Michigan when the Janesville General Motors plant closed, they knew their daughter Karley would be staying behind.
Halfway through her senior year at Janesville’s Parker High School, Karley wanted to graduate with her class.
Her parents never considered another option.
She got her wish Friday night along with about 350 classmates as her family cheered in the stands.
Karley was wiping away tears outside Monterey Stadium before the ceremony even began.
“The emotion of the graduation and seeing (her parents)” really got to her, she said.
“It took no time at all to make the decision,” Tim Anderson said after the ceremony. “We weren’t going to make her switch.”
Game of Life
Five of the class’s six valedictorians took their classmates back to a simpler time during their reflection.
The valedictorians compared life to favorite board games including Candyland, Apples to Apples, Twister, Monopoly, and of course, the game of Life.
Their speeches encouraged preparation, dedication and a willingness to laugh at yourself.
Aaron Eicher told his classmates to remember “life does not just happen” unlike prizes or punishments in the games each valedictorian mentioned.
Just like in Monopoly, you can either choose to prepare “or just wing it” in life, said Justin Moench.
Class president and valedictorian Jason Knutson encouraged the graduates to be bold, optimistic and use their “create your own” cards from the game Apples to Apples.
“Think of the future as your own wild card,” he said.
Making it across
Sprained ankle and all, Nick Gibson was determined to enjoy his graduation ceremony.
Gibson was stuck on crutches for only a week, “just enough to graduate and go to my party,” he said.
He had a plan though: double crutch up to the stage then hold them off to the side for pictures.
“I’d rather crutch than not (be here) at all,” he said.
Making their mark
The class donated three flat screen TVs to the school, sound equipment for the auditorium and money to the Rotary Group this year.
Principal Steven Schroeder thanked the seniors for their leadership during the 2008-2009 school year.
“You’re the best senior class since I have been principal,” he told them. “You’re also my first. But you’re still the best.”
Coming home
Parker alumnus Sam Liebert returned to Janesville with some advice for the graduates, primarily to remember they write their own life path.
Liebert said he entered Parker as an at-risk student, spent time after high school as a vacuum salesman, a factory worker and a mall security guard.
“Don’t do it,” he added about the security job.
Now working within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Liebert spent time working on the Obama presidential campaigns in Iowa and Florida after realizing politics was his passion.
“Not too bad for a guy with a year of college under his belt and who used to sell vacuums, huh?” he said.
Giving his fatherly advice
Just like a classroom, Parker teacher Trygve Danielson said the best advice often comes when you’re standing in the doorway to leave. He admitted one part of his advice to the graduates could seem conflicting.
Slow down and hurry up, “but know when to do each,” he said.
If the students can figure that out, Danielson said they are already discovering their “own truth” of the world.
“We tell you these old stories…because they are filled with humanity,” he said. “Human beings are much more alike than different.”
A noisy celebration
Chandale Swartwout and BreeAnne Repinski were determined to celebrate their accomplishments. And the best way they knew how to do that was with air horns.
“We’re keeping them with us,” Swartwout said.
“If they don’t let us take them in, we’ll hide them,” Repinski added.
Judging by the blasts when each name was called, both graduates made it in with their noisemakers.
Other graduates made their own noise when they accepted their diplomas.
“I love you, mom,” Anthony Milz shouted as he held his hands over his head. “This is for you!”
But the fireworks display and silly string shot out by the graduates at the end of the ceremony outdid every individual cheer.
The graduates also broke out glow sticks as the field lights at the stadium were turned off for the fireworks.
