Ninety-six students received diplomas at Clintonville High School’s 129th commencement ceremony Friday at the school.
Three girls competed for the Class of 2014’s top academic honors.
Valedictorian Anastasia Huber said it was a friendly competition with co-salutatorians Barbara Boyer and Sara Messner.
“The main reason I stand here as valedictorian tonight is because I always wanted to make my grandfather proud,” said Huber, whose grandfather died in December.
She, like Boyer and Messner, also thanked her parents, friends and teachers for their help and encouragement.
David Schuler, recipient of the Alumnus Honoris award given to a graduate who has made outstanding contributions in his chosen field, said few things mean as much to a teacher as when a former student thanks them.
Schuler is president-elect of the American Association of School Administrators, a national organization representing school superintendents from across the United States and Canada. He graduated from Clintonville High School in 1988, built a career in education and lives in Chicago.
His parents, Robert and Elaine Schuler, still live in Clintonville.
“People say that the high school experience is the best years of your life, but the best is always yet to come,” Schuler told the graduates. “Never stop smiling. Believe in yourself. Work to give your greatest.”
Schuler said he learned from his parents to give back to society. He saw the satisfaction his mother received out of teaching, which is why he decided to get into teaching.
“The best advice I can give the graduates is to set goals, work hard, smile and enjoy life,” Schuler said. “Never stop learning.”
Schuler said public education is not always judged correctly.
“Most schools are doing exceptionally well,” he said. “Both (political) parties are critical, and that is no benefit. They need to focus more on poverty. Public schools are strong.”
Jesse Mayek, class president, was master of ceremonies. Other class officers were Ross Westphal, vice president, Kaitlin Collier, secretary, and Hannah Sorenson, treasurer.
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