COLUMBUS, Ind. — For Columbus East salutatorian Anna Liimatta, the first day of high school was memorable — in part because she tripped in the cafeteria, spilled her food everywhere and burst into tears.
Now, four years later, Liimatta said there was a “full circle moment” on her final day of senior year, as she tripped while walking up the stairs. This time, however, she was able to laugh it off, and she encouraged her peers to do the same and persevere.
“As we go on with the rest of our lives, I hope with every stumble you face, you are reminded of your time here at East and are able to get right back up and keep going,” she said. “Because if there’s anything we’ve learned these past four years, it’s to keep going.”
East High School, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this school year, held graduation Saturday morning. The ceremony was held in a tightly packed Orange Pit gym, so much so that some attendees stood during the festivities.
At times, the event was bittersweet, such as when valedictorian Caitlyn Smith asked for a moment of silence to remember classmates whose lives were lost to “illness, accidents and tragedy.”
However, Smith also provided hope in her speech, as she encouraged her fellow graduates to pursue their own unique paths.
“Success looks different for everyone,” she said. “Moving beyond the expected, doing what’s best for you — whether it be academically, socially or emotionally — is the very best thing you can do for yourself. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. It doesn’t matter what they want you to be. It doesn’t matter who they want you to be. By defining your own success, you’ll be sure to create it.”
The ceremony marked the start of a new journey not just for students, but also for outgoing principal Mark Newell. After 15 years in this role, Newell is set to become the director of adult and alternative education at the McDowell Education Center in July. Michael Parsons, the principal at Clifty Creek Elementary, will become the new East principal.
For the complete story and more photos, see Monday’s Republic.
