By ROWENA PLETT and PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writers

It was a comfortable, sunny day as seniors from Centre, Goessel, and Peabody-Burns schools donned graduation robes and hats this weekend to receive their high school diplomas.

At Centre, the graduating class chose math teacher Angela Basore as speaker.

She began with a statement the class finished: “Never be out on the road at ___”

“2 a.m.,” they answered in unison.

She emphasized the importance of making good decisions.

“Your choices will bring rewards or repercussions,” she said. “Where do you want to be? Surround yourselves with people who will help you.”

Principal Trevor Siebert presented a Kansas governor’s scholarship to Emil Godinez Vinduska. Carlye Deines and Kyle Peterson received school scholarships.

As students received their diplomas from board president Terry Deines, superintendent Larry Geist switched their tassels. Deines had a hug for his daughter, Carlye.

Graduates gathered outside to receive congratulations and give hugs to family and friends.

Similar scenes were repeated in Peabody and Goessel.

Parents were asked to stand for recognition of the roles they played in their students reaching their goals.

Speakers gave words of wisdom and seniors looked back with nostalgia at having grown up and learned together.

It was the end of one stage of life for them and the beginning of another.