Plum High School Seniors Get Ready to Graduate

Plum Senior High School Seniors—335 of them—are graduating tonight.

Valedictorian for the class is Lunaris Ruan, who also is a National Merit finalist. This year, there are three salutatorians—Sara Townsend, Kira Hydock and Katherine Rosko.

Andrew Menzies, National Merit finalist; and McKenzie McBride and Dan Weitzman, National Merit commended scholars, said they are excited to graduate.

"I'm not going to wake up at 6:30 a.m. for a long time," Weitzman said with a laugh. "I've been ready to graduate since the eighth grade."

As the Class of 2011 leaves their high school days behind—the class graduates tonight at 7 at —these members of the class remembered their days in the Plum area.

"It hasn't really sunk in that we're done," Rosko said. "We're done with our school work, and I don't know what to do."

Ruan agreed.

"I went to the library and got so many books," she said. "I haven't read for fun in a long time. It feels weird not having anything to do."

It's also going to be weird leaving friends behind, Townsend said.

"Most of us aren't going to the same college," she said. "It's going to be hard because we've been podded together since freshman year.

McBride said he's looking forward to meeting new people and gaining independence in college.

"Everyone is the same here," he said. "I'm looking forward to meeting different kinds of people."

The students said they are proud of themselves and all they have accomplished throughout their high school years.

"I feel like I've made my parents proud," Rosko said.

They've also made their principal, Ryan Kociela, proud.

"These students have such charisma and personality," he said. "They've accomplished so much and earned impressive distinctions.

"I've seen this class come in as anxious, backwards and bashful freshman. I've seen them achieve things and grow academically, emotionally and physically."

Before the class of 2011 marches on to the future, the students have some last words for their peers:

Ruan: "Try new things. College is a whole new experience, but don't party too hard."

Townsend: "Take advantage of every opportunity that's presented to you because you never know what you can gain from it."

Hydock: "Set your own standards and don't conform to what people expect. some students feel people don't expect much from them, but they can do it if they try."

Rosko: "Give yourself more credit, set high goals and don't underestimate what you can do. Make more opportunities for yourself."

Menzies: "If you can't get yourself to do what you don't want to do, you won't be able to do what you want to do."

McBride: "My grandfather's advice was always—if you can't be good, be careful."

Weitzman: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. The important thing is to find a balance. don't spend all of your time on work or all of your time on play."