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grolfe
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Posted: Thu Jun 11th, 2009 04:35 pm |
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By Glenn Rolfe
Sussex Post
DAGSBORO – Indian River High School’s Class of 2009 got an eye-opening and truly inspirational sendoff into the real word at the June 2 commencement.
On stage guest speaker Wendy Stoeker opened a bottle of soda with her feet, took a sip and told the audience that she lives a normal life and enjoys doing many things, including swimming, bicycling, roller-skating and driving a car.
Ms. Stoeker was born some five decades in rural Iowa – with no arms.
“Doing is everything. You never know what you can do until you try,” said Ms. Stoeker.
Her message to the 200 Indian River graduates was to experience the world and tackle all obtstacles.
“The world is a big place. No one can hold you back. You can go any place you want to go,” said Ms. Stoeker. “You never know what is going to spark your interest. Every day is a gift.”
To that backdrop the Class of 2009 marched into adulthood in ceremonies staged in the gymnasium due to the threat of severe weather.
Class president Taylore Kerns greeted classmates, encouraging them to “be the change you wish to see in the world. We have the ability to be that change.”
“Take pride in yourself because each of you is a gift,” Taylore added. “I hope you will all remember where we came from – where the waves crash on the sand and a mile down the road there is a chicken house.”
Class salutatorian Michael Izzo, a National Merit Scholar who will attend Auburn University, was humbled to serve as a commencement speaker.
“Honestly I am just a kid who was lucky enough to have people around me that supported me,” he said.
The salutatorian thanked family, friends and recognized teachers and staff at Indian River High School. “You are a huge part of what we have become,” he said.
Kaitlin Binsted, the class valedictorian who will attend the University of Delaware, had four words for 2009 graduates: “Live long and prosper.”
“Life as we know it is about to change forever. Although our options will take us in different directions we are bonded together by a common goal – to graduate,” said Kaitlin. “Who knows what the future holds. We are about to enter the world on our own. Many of us – myself included – are still undecided about the direction we will take.”
Indian River High School Principal Mark Steele recognized the class for its many achievements. Among them: state-topping performance in the Delaware Student Testing Program in science and social studies.
“It’s a good overall class, a good academic class,” he said. “It is a well rounded class.”
Ms. Stoeker, who lives alone and cares for herself, is an occupational therapist who is realizing her dream as a motivational speaker. Attitude is the key to life, she said.
“I live alone. I own my own home I drive a car. I take care of all of my daily business,” said Ms. Stoeker. “All because of my attitude, that is really what it comes down to.
We cannot change the past. I believe every day that life is 10 percent of that what happens to me and 90 percent is how I react to it.”
Mr. Steele said Ms. Stoeker, who excelled in gymnastics, swimming and diving and is an inductee in the Iowa State Hall of Fame, is “here tonight to inspire us and to help us realize that obstacles aren’t a problem, but they are a gift to help realize full potential.”
News Editor Glenn Rolfe can be reached at 629-5505 or grolfe@newszap.com.
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