×

Brooke grads ready for future

SPEAKING TO GRADUATES — Toni Paesano Shute, superintendent of Brooke County Schools, offered advice to the Class of 2017 at Thursday’s commencement program. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Brooke County Superintendent of Schools Toni Paesano Shute drew upon Philippians 4:8 and a recent country song in offering advice to Brooke High School’s Class of 2017 at commencement on Thursday.

Shute noted the verse reads, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.”

She said the verse offers sound advice to people of all beliefs and went on to draw also on Tim McGraw’s song, “Humble and Kind.”

The song advises, “Hold the door, say please, say thank you; Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie; I know you got mountains to climb but always stay humble and kind.”

Shute encouraged the teens to appreciate the support of their families that has helped to bring them this far and when they have achieved their own goals, remember to help those who follow them.

She noted the song’s final verse: “Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you; when you get where you’re going, don’t forget to turn back around, and help the next one in line. Always stay humble and kind.”

She invited 2009 Brooke graduate Jared Harlan to perform the song.

The graduates heard from Tim Pannett, principal, who said members of the class have endured hardships, but they have refused to let those hardships define them. He said their experience in facing adversity with determination and integrity will prepare them for any problem in the future.

Senior Sonja Keller shared the following advice from former first lady Michelle Obama: “Instead of letting your hardships and failures discourage or exhaust you, let them inspire you. With hard work, determination and integrity, anything’s possible.”

Integrity was the theme for the program, with honors student Griffin Smith noting singer Bob Marley said, “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”

Honors student Samantha Barney told of a retiring carpenter who asked one of his builders to construct one last house as a favor to him. Unfortunately, the builder completed it in a slipshod manner before learning the home was the carpenter’s gift to him.

“Whenever we put forth less than our best, we create a future of creaky floors, leaky roofs and crumbling foundations,” Barney advised.

Salutatorian Shane Colley said striving for integrity should be a way of life because what we do and say is what sets us apart from others and that includes treating others as we would want to be treated.

Co-valedictorian Emily Bernardini said integrity can be displayed in large and small ways. She recalled finding a $10 bill while shopping, noting it would have been easy for her to keep it, but deciding instead to seek its owner.

Co-valedictorian Taylor Pannett quoted Dr. Seth Meyers, a psychologist and author, who said, “The good news about integrity is that we’re not born with it or without it, which means that it’s a behavior-based virtue we can cultivate over time.”

Pannett said one way the Class of 2017 has cultivated it has been through the community service performed as part of the school’s attendance policy.

She encouraged her peers to continue to help others in large and small ways and to surround themselves with people of integrity.

Honors student Maria Lombardi reflected on the changes the class faced over the last four years and encouraged classmates to accept the changes ahead and to embrace their unique qualities.

She noted Abraham Lincoln said, “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today