The 119th Annual Commencement of Chesterton High School will be remembered not only for the perfect weather for the class of 2009, but also as a joyous, well organized, fast moving event even though 429 seniors walked across the stage to get their diplomas.

Math Teacher David Keammerer set the “light-hearted, but meaningful” Commencement Address by using David Letterman’s format of a top ten list - bits of advice that are important for all graduates.

Starting with #10, he advised them to take time to savor and be proud of what they have accomplished, but remember it is only the beginning of what lies ahead. He continued by telling them to learn something new every day; always give the best effort an everything they do; find a career they like and be enthusiastic about it; don’t be a braggart; “be true to yourself; measure success by satisfaction, not by the size of a paycheck; live life to its fullest; take time to thank those important in one’s life - now, because the chance could be lost.

In that #2 on his list Keammerer explained how his Algebra teacher, Mr. Tropp at Liberty Township High School, was the person who was responsible for him finding math to be exciting and the desire to become a math teacher. “I couldn’t wait until the next year when I could take geometry, whatever that was, with Mr. Tropp. Imagine my feelings that fall, when I returned to school to learn Mr. Tropp was no longer teaching at Liberty and that he had moved to Montana. Sadly, I was never able to thank Mr. Tropp for what he had given me. I can say if it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be standing here tonight.”

The final bit of advice was not to disappoint those now or who will be in the future looking up to you. He explained everyone leaves a mark at CHS and everyone has been important in someone’s life here. “Someone has or will be influenced greatly by you. Even though you may be totally unaware of it, each and every one of you has been or will be a role model for someone else. Just as you have made your mark here, you will also make your mark, for good or bad, in this world.” É You may never know who they are, but they will remember you.”

Jackson Gregory Fox presented the Student Address, with some tongue-in-cheek comments that made the audience chuckle. At one point, some fireworks “coincidentally” burst in the air. Noting that “the famous philosopher George W. Bush once said, “one of the important things about history is to remember the true history. For once, the man has a valid point.” He listed remembrance of the past four years of both the good and the bad, from winning teams to the loss of classmates, parents and grandparents. “Always remember,” he said.

In his second piece of advice, he told a story about two muffins in an oven. “The bran muffin said, ‘You know I just don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ve lost my job, my house, the economy is going under, and the entire world seems to hate America. Do you think Obama can really pull us out of the gutter or is this country destined to fall?” After much contemplation, the blueberry muffin turned to the bran muffin, stared him straight in the eyes and said, ‘Holy Crap! A talking muffin!’.” The second tip is never stop laughing.

His third tip was to never stop caring. After giving several examples of saying “I don’t care”, he noted that “If we stop caring about things that are important, we’ll never improve in any aspect of life. “Pain reminds you how much you care,” he said.

The senior choir members sang a more serious message, “Things that Never Die”, which was well received by the entire audience.

Some parents and friends who arrived late for the 7 p.m. processional, did not find seats. The seats on the 50-yard line were taken at least two hours before the event began. Many people were texting friends and family to find where they were in the stands. Keely McDowell, who will begin as a freshman in the fall was saving a row in the end section for the family of her graduating friend Justin Hopkins, who will be joining the Navy to be a bomb technician. She was texting her mother who was in the section to the north, which was already filled, except for the nose-bleed seats.

Also there to support two graduates were Connie Perez and Billy Fancher. Connie said she was there for Donna Fancher, who died after heart surgery in 2003 and for Donna’s and Billy’s son Steven Fancher who was graduating. Aunt Mary Popovich, and Sandie Mills traveled from Plymouth to see nephew, Marshall Popovich get his diploma. Marshall will be attending Purdue University, West Lafayette to study Nuclear Engineering. Mike Rodriguez and his wife Brooke, traveled from Elwood to see Susan Rodriguez graduate. Susan plans to attend IVY Tech to become a Special Victim Unit police woman.

After the ceremony, parents went down on the field to give flowers and hugs to their newly graduated children. Daniel Parker, who plans to attend Indiana State University was met by parents, William and Deborah Parker, grandparents Alice and Ted Jones and neighbors Rob and Kathy Nickless.

“This has been overwhelming,” said Nirmala Murugavel, who hugged her son Siva Balan Muthsusamy, who will be studying biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. “I’m very happy,” Siva said about being a graduated. “I’m looking to the future, but will remember CHS and where I came from,” he said. His sister, Bahrathi, who graduated last year also had a hug for her brother.

Aidan Quealy’s parents found her to congratulate her. Aidan’s, graduated in the 5 percent club, wore a medal for Best of the Year in Spanish and said she is looking forward to attending Indiana University Bloomington. She received a full-ride scholarship from the Kelly School of Business and will be staying in the same dorm (Teter Hall) that her mother stayed in while attending IU. Aidan’s father Brian, a University of Illinois grad, and Aidan’s sister Kiera also gave her hugs and well wishes before she was hailed by friends to have pictures taken with fellow grads.

Patrick Herrod, a member of the CHS golf team said he hopes to continue activities at CHS until June 17, which will be the final day for the state championship competition. Early Friday morning the Golf Team won the regional contest and delivered the trophy to Principal Jim Goetz during the graduation ceremonies. They will compete Friday, June 12 in regionals. Herrod has not yet decided which of three schools he will be attending. “I am not sure if I will go for sports or studying,” he said.

Bill Bass, in the upper 10 percent of his class and a member of the CHS State Championship Swim Team, will be headed for Notre Dame to study humanities. He does not have to declare a major his freshman year, so he may or may not end up with that as a major. He was surrounded by his mother, Jean, father, Bill, sister Ruth (a sophomore home from school in Washington state,) and his sister, Mae who will be a freshman this fall. All three siblings are swimmers.

There were 429 family stories to be told Friday night, but of course, time nor space allows for all to be told. However, during the exercises, Principal James Goetz, reminded the Class of 2009 to remember that though their paths may go in different directions after the commencement, their lives are linked for the rest of they lives.

He also told them their best friends were their parents who supported them during their high school careers. “Don’t forget their support. Take time for the most important people in your life. Tonight give mom and dad a kiss and say ‘Thank you’”.

Posted 6/8/2009