St. Croix Central seniors celebrate graduation

• PHOTO: Hugs

Derek Payne was all smiles while giving hugs following his graduation from high school.
• PHOTO: Sharing the cap

Janaya Sundberg let her little brother, Aaron, 7, try on her graduation cap following the commencement ceremony on Friday night.
• PHOTO: Leis

Nic Holden was adorned with multiple Hawaiian leis following his graduation from high school. It is a tradition in the Hawaiian culture for friends and family to give graduates leis.
• PHOTO: Processional

Family and friends looked on as students made their way to the front of the gym during the processional.
• PHOTO: Fancy caps

Many students used paint, gems or glitter to spice up their graduation caps.
• PHOTO: Awards

More than 30 academic and athletic awards and scholarships were presented to students at the graduation ceremony.
• PHOTO: Class of 2012

Pictured is the St. Croix Central Class of 2012 before the start of the graduation ceremony last Friday night.
• PHOTO: Malecek

In his student address, Valedictorian Marcus Malecek urged his classmates to realize their potential.

Talk about it

Eighty students graduated from St. Croix Central High School on Friday, May 25.

Thirty of the eighty students graduated with honors.

In his student address, Valedictorian Marcus Malecek said the driving factor in the success of the SCC Class of 2012 was the realization of potential.

Malecek referenced a quote that he said summarized the idea well.

“Potential is realized when you work hard enough, want it badly enough and refuse to say you’ve had enough,” he said. “These three components are very powerful and often difficult traits to display, but I feel the Class of 2012 has risen to the challenge of these words.”

At the end of his address, Malecek posed a challenge to his classmates: “No matter how difficult it may become, no matter how many triumphs or defeats you may encounter, no matter what path you may choose, never stop striving to achieve more. Whether you’re going on to college, the military or the workforce, always remember that your possibilities in life are endless. Never settle for anything short of happiness and always believe in your ability to achieve it. So go out Class of 2012 and realize your potential.”

The St. Croix Central class song is “Tattoos on this Town” by Jason Aldean.

The class motto is “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

Malecek was valedictorian and Holly Meyers was salutatorian.

Tags: st croix central, communities, education, hammond, roberts