Bruno Mars kicks off his smash hit song, “24K Magic,” with the lyrics, “Throw your hands up in the sky, let’s set this party off right,” and later pipes, “24 karat magic in the air” throughout his catchy hip-hop tune.
24K is, after all, the highest grade of gold – and it’s the chosen song of the North Royalton High School Class of 2017.
On June 1, 374 students reached their “highest grade of gold” and walked across the State Theater stage as graduates of the Purple and Gold – North Royalton High School.
Senior Class President Giana Parsons welcomed everyone to the 111th Commencement Program for North Royalton High School, and Allison Higgins addressed her fellow graduates. Graduating senior Gabrielle White also shared her thoughts with the excited crowd.
“The speeches were very well done, Ally Higgins is one of my really good friends, so I felt even more connected to everything she had to say,” said graduating senior Jessie DeLap. “I also thought it was really clever that Gabby White went through all the letters in the alphabet and related them to our experiences in high school and what we have to look forward to.”
DeLap will be attending Baldwin Wallace University to major in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. She hopes to pursue a career in music finance and later work on record labels or tours.
Attending college is just one of many milestones students will embark on. During Commencement, those entering the military were recognized, as well as seniors graduating Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude.
“The ceremony was great,” DeLap said. “It was nice to see everyone one last time before we all go our separate ways.”
DeLap isn’t a stranger to Commencement ceremonies though. She’s served as a member of the Commencement Band since 10th grade.
“I have personally been to two commencements prior to this one, and I’ve watched all my best friends graduate,” she said. “I have to say, it was really strange for the roles to be reversed.”
When it was time to receive their diplomas, Shayne Tuel and Danielle Vivcharenko performed roll call. Seniors took their steps across the theater stage and were met by Superintendent Greg Gurka, Board of Education President Dr. Susan G. Clark, and Principal Sean Osborne. Following the ceremony, students gathered for photos and congratulations with family and friends.
“Some of my greatest memories from high school are probably being a part of the band, and getting to go to Disney twice,” DeLap reflected.
And her advice for the Class of 2018?
“Never stop following your dreams, because they will never come true if you give up.”
Congratulations North Royalton High School Class of 2017!