Port Huron seniors told to step in right direction at graduation
A line stretched along and around the side of the McMorran Arena as family and friends anxiously awaited to enter the building to see their son, daughters, nephews, nieces and grandchildren graduate at Port Huron High's Wednesday evening commencement ceremony.
Loud applauds and screaming cheers coming from the stands bounced off the walls of the arena as soon as the lights went off to welcome the Port Huron High School class of 2022.
Seniors held flameless candles, and walked in pairs, slowly making their way into their assigned seating in the processional of lights as the school's band played "Pomp and Circumstance."
Once the cheering stopped and the seniors had taken their seats, Port Huron High School Principal Michael Palmer welcomed everyone to the nights ceremony.
Preceding the welcoming speech by Palmer, Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas introduced the night's commencement address speaker, Dr. Dominic Schultz.
"You can never forget the things that helped you get to where you're going, and for most of us, that place and those people are here," Schultz said.
"Do you know that we have limited time here on earth? Do you know that there are millions of people out there that don't because they're too worried about likes, followers, and people's approval?"
Schultz reminisced about his life journey, graduating from Port Huron High School in 2011, to go on to a small college, and then transferring to the University of Minnesota where he worked hard enough to earn a spot on the Big Ten school's football team.
As he addressed the seniors in the crowd, he challenged them to never forget the moments they lived through the last four years.
"Tonight, this singular moment is a huge step in the right direction," Schultz said.
"But this is just the beginning. there are many roads left out there for you to explore and create. My last advice to you all is to pray, constantly look inward, be aware of your time here on earth, because the present is all we have."
Following Schultz's address, seniors Madalynn Apolzan and Kiley Hendricks performed a rendition of OneRepublic's "I Lived," the class song.
Class Advisor Stephanie Hendricks read each name out loud as seniors were presented with their diplomas by the board of education.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Port Huron seniors told to step in right direction at graduation
