By ALEXANDRA NEWMAN

“Increase the degree of kindness in the world,” was the final message given to the Chesterton High School Class of 2008 by teacher Jay Harrison, who said he considered himself a member of the 2008 Class, because this too was his last year of teaching.

During commencement exercises Friday night in the gymnasium, Harrison advised each of the 410 graduates to not throw away reunion invitations because they might enjoy coming back. “It has been my experience that with the passage of time, one tends to remember more of the good than the bad,” he said.

Quoting the class motto: “Forget not your history nor your destiny”, he stressed each one’s history includes family. He prompted them to ask stories about family members.

“These accounts will be precious to you as you grow older; they will be lost if you have no record. When you tell your grandchildren about 2008, they will get a kick out of how you would listen to music on something as primitive as an i-pod. They will laugh when you claim you learned from a book with actual paper pages in it.”

Destiny is controlled by the individual he said. He added that determination and persistence is the key to what they want to accomplish. He concluded that message with an analogy of destiny to a game of bocce.

“The pallino is the target ball in bocce. It represents your goals in life. The large ball is rolled toward the target ball in an attempt to get closer than the opponent. This ball represents the means to attain your goals. Just as the position of the pallino can change during any given point, so may your goals change as you gain experience in life…ultimately you must toss the ball, just as you must try to achieve your goals. If things don’t work out, you try again; be persistent. What is important is that you keep tossing the balls. Your destiny will depend on your efforts…you will figure it out,” he said.

On this their final night as students of CHS, students, dressed in maroon and gold caps and gowns, marched into the gymnasium to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” by E. Elgar, played by the CHS band. They stood as class member Courtney Jurick sang the National Anthem and applauded as fellow classmates, members of Sandpipers sang “Once in A Lifetime/This is the Moment”.

In the Student Address, Adam Lukach, humorously recalled the four years of what he implied was an unconventional group that turned out okay. He noted how it took four years to finally get it right with the homecoming float - going from an empty Sophomore Class float with one person on it to the confusing T-shirts they wore their Junior year that read “Sink’em” even though they were playing the Indians, not the Pirates.

The class got it together their senior year, he said.

Said Lukach, “We were finally able to put together a good float and won the contest. Our Debate and Japan Bowl teams won state, while our Speech team placed second. The cross-country teams both advanced to state during the fall. The honors econ classes were able to reassure the Town Council that it was an acceptable idea to have a town manager. Our boy’s soccer team made a magical run downstate and finished as state runner-up. In music, our showchoir and ensembles were able to win several contests themselves. The senior laden basketball team had an historic 19-3 season and was led by Zack Novak, who became the school’s all-time leading scorer. They were followed by a student section that was unmatched by any other in the area. Even the football team had a good season. These accomplishments were only surpassed by those of our swim team, who attained their ultimate goal of a state championship. As a whole, this senior year has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

Principal James Goetz, calling the class an “amazing group” also recognized championships accomplished by this class, adding wrestling and soccer, volleyball teams, DAC All Sports Award for the second year, art awards, All State members of the band, girls swim team placing 7th in the state, the musicals, the house built by the trades class, and more.

While many people enjoy having graduation in the stadium, one must agree, it is nice to be able to see the faces of the graduating class and be closer to the activity when it is in the gymnasium. The audience was able to see the faces of Zachary Post and Kevin Nault, as their peers stood and cheered the two who were wheeled onto the stage to receive their diplomas. The two were examples of the perseverance mentioned in earlier speeches. And, the classmates recognizing them, showed the acts of kindness also mentioned in the Commencement speech.

After Superintendent Dirk Baer announced them graduated, and they turned their tassels and threw their caps in the air, parents and friends joined the new alumni on the gym floor giving them hugs and flowers in a truly joyous atmosphere.

Natalie Gibson, Elizabeth Dunlap and Brittney Koedyker, three best friends said they felt no sadness, only joy that they were starting new chapters in their lives. Gibson and Dunlap will be attending IUN and Koedyker will attend Valparaiso University.

While Alex Beierwalter was surrounded by several classmates, his father, Doug Beierwalter, sister, Abby and brother, Connor, waited to give their hugs. Alex will be attending Eastern Michigan University on a full scholarship, Doug said proudly. He too played football for CHS and was a member of the coaching staff years ago.

Jim Lee and family were together to see Corey Lee get his diploma. Corey is the third son to graduate from CHS, each three years apart, beginning win the turn of the century. Jeremy graduated in 2001, Shawn in 2005 and now Corey. They were ready for Corey’s graduation open house Saturday and then plan to celebrate again within a few weeks for Jeremy’s wedding.

Many families lingered in the halls and outside after the ceremony wishing everyone well.

The class of 2008 is now history.

Posted 6/9/2008