Elk Lake grads get ‘rules’ to live by

BY C.J. MARSHALL
Wyoming County Press Examiner

Technology teacher Clint Tyler provided members of Elk Lake High School’s class of 2016 with three simple rules of life during commencement Saturday.

“Be where you’re supposed to be,” Mr. Tyler said. “Be there when you are supposed to be there. And be doing what you are supposed to be doing. Follow these rules and you will never get in trouble.”

Mr. Tyler was voted by the class to provide the commencement address.

“This is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had,” Mr. Tyler, a 1981 Elk Lake graduate, said.

Class Valedictorian Rebecca Warholic provided a similar message to her fellow classmates as she urged them pursue their dreams and, at the same time, to always be aware of the feelings of those around them.

“The dreams we hope to achieve can leave an impact on us, and on a broader spectrum, they can even impact the world. Yet, we should never doubt the influence we also have on the people close to us while we work toward our goals,” Rebecca said. “Never doubt how people can have an equal impact on us right back.”

Salutatorian Ty Moon spoke about the importance of putting one’s talents to practical use.

Quoting from Benjamin Franklin, Ty said that “Genius without education is like silver without the mine.”

“What this quote means to me and what I hope to pass down to you is everyone has talent, but without practice and not putting in the work, you will not reach your full potential,” Ty said. “You will just be another piece of undiscovered silver, so put in the work and reach what is out there waiting for you.”

Class President Shelby Valvano also spoke on the importance of striving to achieve one’s best, but at the same time always remembering those who helped along the way.

She said the class quote is “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground,” attributed to former U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt.

“I believe this means that you should aspire for more, but never lose track of who you are, Shelby said. “Through high school, we helped and supported one another and along the way, we found parts of ourselves. We have unknowingly lived by this quote through high school and will continue to do so.”

Elk Lake
Class of 2016
Jourdan Bryce Aten, Conner William Atherholt, Jonathan Robert Kostelac Baltzley, Hunter Reed Bedell, Jesse James Bender, Katlyn Marie Bennett, Jordan Daniel Bliss, Kenneth Taylor Brittingham, Kevin Alexander Burns, Jordan Christopher Clark, Noah Michael Cobb, Brittany Elizabeth Crane, Emily Ann Curry, Phillip William Scott Cussins, Samantha Mae Delesky, Denice DeLong, Brendon Zachary Douglas, Maria Luisa Duarte, Richard Allen Dunne, Kennidy Jo Finch, Sabrina Shilo Pearl Foux, Bethany Ann Fuller, Jonas Bradley Fuller, Austin Elizabeth Graham, Cassidy Greenwood, Brittany May Gregory, Shayla Ashley Griffiths, James Joseph Heft, Elizabeth Catherine Hinkley, Steven Michael Hinkley, Joshua David Kelley, Gavin James Kelly, James Tyler Kerchner, Connor Edward Kojola Jr., Daniel Garrett Mayer, Adrianna Elisebeth Loretta Meaders, Mikaela Lilly Lovera Meaders, Logan Tracy Moon, Ty Collin Moon, Kayla Marie Mosier, Bailey Steven Newhart, Cassandra Lynn Noble, Derek Jeter Nunez, Kelly Marie Oliver, Chase Robert Orlandini, Joshua Taylor Pitcher, Kyle Michael Roman, Makayla Lynn Ryce, Tracy Kay Severcool, Alyssa Elizabeth Sickler, Rebecca Jayne Sisson, Drew Howard Smith, Mikayla Renee Smith, Nathanyl Jacob Bowman Smith, Sean Michael Smith, Rachel Mary Sprout, Ryan Thomas Stone, Kasondra Elaine Suchocki, Kaylee Marie Swart, Randi Lee Teed, Alison Teresa Teel, Amber Skye Temarantz, Seth Parker Tewksbury, Desiree Janay Tucker, Colton Ben Tyler, Siara Michelle Valentine, Shelby Elizabeth Valvano, Rebecca Florence Warholic, Darci Ann Warner, Lucas Allan Warner, Hunter Jack Watkins, Elizabeth Ann Wright, Rachel Marie Zayleskie, and Ian Alexander Zielinski.