CLASS OF 2008 GRADUATES
Little Miami High School's 2008 Commencement Ceremony, Friday, June 6, had just the right amount of "Pomp and Circumstance," hugs, handshakes, tears and cheers.
The nearly 200 seniors were eager to embark on a new chapter in their lives as they marched into the Xavier University's Cintas Center. During the ceremony, graduates and staff encouraged the Class of 2008 to follow their dreams.
Principal John Spieser asked the seniors to "take time to realize" what is important in life.
"Take time to realize that finding your passion, working hard at that passion and sharing it with people is success," he said.
Superintendent Dan Bennett discussed how history has changed because of the pursuit of dreams.
"A dream is something that begins with the individual," he said. "One man with a dream developed a rocket. A whole nation with a dream landed a man on the moon. I believe the world will be a better place because the seniors of 2008 have lived and dreamed."
Senior Class President Samantha Grossl recognized their momentous achievements; Ashley Tieman reflected on their past educational journey; Jonathan Tudor encouraged the class to look towards the future; and Elizabeth Hamburg urged the graduates to use their gifts and voices to help improve the world.
The following seniors graduated in the top 10 percent of the Class of 2008: Jonathan Tudor, Anne Mayer, Melissa Capella, Emily Willbern, Jacob Shannon, Matthew Beerse, Ashley Tieman, Laura Maile, Alexandra Ranney, Elizabeth Hamburg, Jordan Moak, Daniel Doughman, Elizabeth Monger, Nicholas Volkman, Lindsay Dotson, Alexandra Benner, Savannah Griffin, Logan VonBargen, Amanda Rainey, Samantha Grossl and Rebecca Smith.
Fifty-eight class members earned Lamp of Knowledge trophies, recognizing that they earned a 3.5 or higher grade point average for 11 trimesters. Fifty-eight seniors also earned a Diploma with Honors, signifying they met or exceeded the criteria for Honors Diploma established by the Ohio Department of Education.
Co-valedictorian Anne Mayer, the daughter of Herb and Kathy Mayer of Clarksville, will attend The Ohio State University in Columbus. During her high school career, Anne was involved in volleyball, basketball, 4-H, Warren County Food and Fashion Board, French Club, and the National Honor Society.
Co-valedictorian Jonathan Tudor, the son of Barbara and Fredrick Tudor of Morrow, will attend Miami University in Oxford this fall, where he plans to enter the Honors Program and study Management Information Systems at the Richard T. Farmer School of Business. He has been a member of the basketball team, Technology Club, Concert Band, Amateur Athletic Union, Sportsmanship Committee, and Business Professionals of America.
Salutatorian Melissa Capella, the daughter of David and Rebecca Capella of Pleasant Plain, will attend Eastern Kentucky University to study forensic science. Her extra-curricular activities have included soccer, Select Women's Chorale, church youth group, church choir, French Club, French National Honor Society, Club Soccer, Academic Team, Ohio University Honor Choir, National Honor Society, March for Life, Fellowship of Christian Students and playing Madame Dilly in On the Town.
