Seniors prepare for grad night; real life

by Brooke Nowakowski . editor-in-chief |

The stereotypical trepidation that surrounds graduation in movies, books and popular belief is fairly common knowledge. For our graduating seniors, however, reality is stranger than fiction.

“It’s bittersweet; like everyone says, the cliché,” senior Kelsey Kotzur said. “But I’m excited, and nervous. Excited to begin a new chapter in my life.”

Kotzur will be delivering the opening address to seniors and their guests on their June 3 graduation, to be held at Freeman Colosseum. The speech is a dream long in the making for the aspiring writer, who plans to study mass communications at Texas State University.

“I’ve just always been fond of graduation speeches. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I started high school.”

Kotzur hopes to instill the significance of the occasion, and what it signals, in her audience.

“I want people to know that life is a precious gift, and you need to live it up, because you never know when it will be taken away,” she said.

Senior English teacher Megan Stokes is looking forward to June with similar anxiousness.

“Oh my goodness, it breaks my heart,” she said. “I cry every time I think about it.”

A student off to the side voices his doubt.

“No, I’ve cried,” she smiles.

Having overseen the graduation proceedings up to this point, Stokes is confident in the coming ceremony.

“I think it’s going to be a wonderful graduation,” she said. “I think it’s going to be beautiful.”

To the seniors she’s taught over the past months, she gives some sage advice.

“Enjoy every moment [you] have with your friends, because that’s what you’re going to miss the most,” Stokes said. “But also, get your grades in order; organize your work.”

The Class of 2010 graduates at 7:30 in the evening on June 3.

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