Published: May 17, 2008 12:36 am            

EHS holds commencement; Keithly scholarship is created

Enid High School graduates Friday night encouraged their fellow classmates to “cherish yesterday, live today, dream for tomorrow” throughout their lives after high school.

“At this point, we’re living and dreaming for our future,” said co-salutatorian Katherine Blakely. “But let’s not forget yesterday. It’s there to remember and cherish.”

Sara Torres, also a salutatorian, said the class of 2008 “brought school sprit back to EHS.”

“Our class personality is established through our motto,” Torres said. “Living for today, that’s sometimes a hard thing to do.”

Valedictorian Wei Ting Yuet discussed the future and the fear-inducing question facing high school graduates: What are you going to do?

“Good hard work, combined with commitment and dogged determination, is absolutely necessary,” she said.

Yuet told her classmates they dictate the choices that mold their lives.

“Dream for tomorrow,” she said. “Lead tomorrow.”

The 397 members of the class of 2008 honored retiring Superintendent Kem Keithly during the commencement exercise at Chisholm Trail Expo Center.

Senior class president Matt Johnson presented Keithly with a plaque of appreciation and an-nounced the formation of the Dr. Garland Kem Keithly Scholarship.

Amber Graham Fitz-gerald, Enid Public Schools school and community relations director, said it was the class’ decision to start the scholarship. Each senior walking across the stage was given a gold dollar to donate to the scholarship fund.

Fitzgerald said they will sit down with Keithly later so he can set parameters for the scholarship.

“I can’t think of anything more meaningful for him,” she said.

While the scholarship will start with $397, Fitzgerald said there will opportunities to contribute to the fund.

Students receiving valedictorian commendation were Sallie Aman, Ruth Ballew, Megan Brooks, Victor Brown, Dennis Burgart, Christian Choate, Jonathan Conrad, Emily Fike, Garrick Friesen, Alexis Haley, Ryan Henneke, Lisa Hobbs, Matthew Johnson, Jake Keeling, Gregory Knight, Erik McDaniel, William Merritt, Kathryn Pace, Colin Peck, Lauren Rupert, Samantha Turner, Carlene Waken, William Whiteneck and Grace Wiggs.