“These young men and women behind me have faced adversity with a demeanor and a determination that should make their families and our Northridge family proud,” Ewing said from the podium during the exercises at Northridge Stadium. “And that was before the tornado.”
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More than 100 students received diplomas Saturday from the small and proud school district. The day almost didn’t happen as planned. A few blocks away down North Dixie Drive in Harrison Twp., trees and wires wrapped around homes remained tangled in the aftermath of Monday’s powerful tornadoes.
Such disaster could be excused as reason for despair. But it didn’t stop the resilient class. If anything, it appeared to propel them forward.
“We’ve been hit with the realities of growing up,” said senior Devin Williams, chosen as a graduation speaker. His address called his classmates to a higher purpose, to not only live in the world but make it a better place.
“Some like to think of it as giving back. I like to think of it as paying it forward.” Williams said. “It is now our duty, our mission, to pay it forward in our lives.”
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The commencement began with a lengthy reading of student accolades, scholarships and honors after the past week’s scheduled senior awards ceremony was canceled following the tornadoes. The district was forced to close Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
>>PHOTOS: Northridge High School graduation
Each speaker mentioned the tornadoes and their impact on the community. Class president and valedictorian Cydney Moorman said seeing the community come together was “truly amazing,” echoing the words of Wesley Carter, the salutatorian, who thanked the stands packed with the graduates’ loved ones.
“I hope everyone is recovering well,” he said. “The love, strength and unity you guys have shown has been simply amazing. It means a lot, thank you.”
Superintendent David Jackson reflected on the week from a biblical viewpoint, reciting a song that paraphrases Isiah 61:3. He thought of the song while driving around surveying the damage Tuesday, then shortly thereafter heard the song’s lyrics, “He gives beauty for ashes. Strength for fear. Gladness for mourning. Peace for despair.”
Then he recalled how “not one member of our Northridge family was lost.”
“We have been truly blessed,” Jackson said. “We’re all here. We have all survived.”
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