Members of the eighth graduating class of Columbus Signature Academy — New Tech High School celebrated their accomplishments and recounted memories as they received their diplomas.
The class of 61 students, 57 of whom participated in the ceremony Friday, were joined by a couple hundred friends and family members in Columbus East High School’s gym.
Before the students received their diplomas, CSA — New Tech Principal Mike Reed said the class of 2019 contributed more than 4,000 community service hours, earned 400 college credits before graduation and earned $1.2 million in college scholarships.
“I couldn’t be more confident in this group’s ability to be successful in their next steps,” Reed said. “The seniors kind of kid with me on the last day and they’re like, ‘Mr. Reed, aren’t you glad that you’re not going to deal with us anymore?’ And I always go, ‘Yeah.’ But the real answer is ‘no.’ This is one of those groups that I hate to see go, but at the same time, they’re ready. They’ve learned as much as they’re going to learn from us.”
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The school does not have a valedictorian or salutatorian, said Josh Giebel, counselor at CSA — New Tech. Instead, two students were selected to speak at the ceremony.
Vanessa Villalobos spoke because students and Reed selected her senior speech, Giebel said.
She told her classmates that they shouldn’t let setbacks get in the way of achieving their goals and dreams.
“I encourage you to continue your journey and always get back up on your feet and move forward, even when you feel like you cannot take another step,” Villalobos said.
Brooklyn Burbrink, was selected to speak because her 4.28/4.00 GPA placed her in the top 10 in class rank at Columbus East High School. Students at CSA — New Tech earn diplomas from either Columbus North High School or Columbus East High School, Reed said.
“Whatever path you choose, do so with determination, integrity and those ever-present ideals: trust, respect and responsibility,” Burbrink said.
The final speaker of the event, Jim Roberts, superintendent of Bartholomew County School Corporation, evoked song lyrics, and in particular, punk rock songs by the Clash and Green Day.
“As a person who greatly enjoys music … it’s my wish that each of you can easily attach a melody, a song, its lyrics, to the memories from the school years that are now frozen in time,” Roberts said.
Roberts then left the graduates with a few departing lyrics adapted from the Green Day song “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).”
“It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right,” he said. “… I hope you had the school year of your life.”
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Number of graduates: 61
Student speakers: Vanessa Villalobos and Brooklyn Burbrink
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