Salutatorian Zachary Howard addresses the class of 2018.

WARSAW — The Tiger Den at Warsaw Community High School was packed as parents, family and friends watched students cross the stage last night, June 8, during the high school’s 2018 commencement.

Student Body President Madison Haines welcomed everyone to the commencement and shared a personal story to encourage her classmates to step out of their comfort zones and embrace life.

“Earlier this week marked the fourth anniversary of my families head-on collision with a drunk driver. I’d like to share with you something I’ve learned from the night. I used to be extremely shy and awkward, and many of you may consider me to still be awkward. That day I realized how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken away. I also realized that staying in my comfort zone wouldn’t allow me to live the life that I wanted to live.”

A moment of remembrance was held in honor of Jack Burchett, Austin McCleary and Jaden Stout, class members who had died. Candles were lit in memory of each of these beloved classmates.

Salutatorian Zachary Howard took his fellow graduates down memory lane to remember the abundance of standardized testing, the introduction of iPads to the classrooms and even the new track and football field.

“Through these years we have adapted to these changes and survived long enough to make the most of our educational opportunities here at Warsaw Community High School. We have the rest of our lives ahead of us and hopefully all of the best years of our lives ahead of us.

Eric Williamson gave the main commencement address.He expressed certainty in two things as the class of 2018 moves forward with their lives.

“First is that the class of 2018 will continue to do great things. I have no doubt that this class, my class, your class, our class, the class of 2018 will continue to do amazing things. The second thing, each of us will never forget the bonds we formed here. Whether it be friendships that we’ve had since elementary school, or ones that we made senior year, we will remember it all throughout the rest of our lives.”

The last student speaker was Valedictorian Kyler Bartol. Bartol reminded his classmates to keep hope alive and that together, they will prevail. He ended his speech with quotes from the popular movie High School Musical, which received a large round of applause.

“All in all, Warsaw’s a place where teachers encourage us to break the status quo and to define yourselves as we choose. Where a jock can make a mean creme brulee, and a brainiac can break it down on the dance floor. And it’s a place where one person, if it’s the right person, changes us all. Warsaw’s got us friends that we’ll keep for the rest of our lives, so I guess that we really are, all in this together.”

Excited parents wave a poster featuring their graduate’s face.

Graduates Shannon Randels, left, and Francisco Xavier Ramirez watch as the festival choir sings “You will be found.”