St. Paul's Lutheran School Graduation: Viewfinder

Tears, hugs and words of advice from Pastor Michael Croon Sr. made up the graduation night for 12 students at .

During his commencement speech, Croon reminded students to remain steadfast in their faith and in their morals while recognizing each student for their talents.

Five of the 12 students will go on to in the fall. Out of the five is valedictorian, Kalyn DesJardins from Chicago Heights. Her valedictory address topped off the evening as she gave a perfect ending to her years and her classmates years at St. Paul’s Lutheran School. The ending of her speech went as follows:

“As our motto states, 'Fix your eyes on Christ.' I believe this means that wherever our lives may take us once we leave this school, we know that as long as we keep our life according to our faith, we will be moving in the right direction.

So, thank you St. Paul’s for keeping us on the right path, for showing me the faith in the power of God and for making me miss it here so much. I want to end this speech with a quote by Dr. Seuss:

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You’re off to great places!

You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.

You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.

Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.

Wherever you go, you will top al the rest.

Oh, the places you’ll go ! There is fun to be done!

There are points to be scored, there are games to be won.

And the magical things you can do with that ball

will make you the winning-est winner of all.

Fame !  You’ll be famous as famous can be,

with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

And will you succeed ?

Yes ! You Will. Indeed!

98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.

You’re off to great places!

Today Is your day!

Your mountain is waiting

So….get on your way!

Congratulations class of 2011, you will always be a family to me!