NORTH RIDGEVILLE — Forty graduates took center stage at the Bettcher Center at Lake Ridge Academy on Saturday, meeting for one last time as the class of 2008.

After the students proceeded into the auditorium, senior class member Kei Niedra played “Danzas Argentinas III” on a shiny black baby grand piano as family and friends watched.

Valedictorian Rubina Ratnaparkhi imparted some words of wisdom regarding change, the transition to college and what is to come.

“Passion, discipline and tenacity will allow us to push forth change in this world,” she said. “It is through diplomacy that change is achieved.”

She also talked about the need for time and how the students must use what little time they have wisely.

“Time is always of the essence. No matter how much time one possesses, he is always greedy for more,” she said.

Salutatorian Isaac Jilbert spoke of the future.

“Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power,” he said, quoting the Roman philosopher Seneca. “We hold ourselves in our own power. The future is now in our hands.”

Jilbert stressed the importance of willpower in overcoming potential obstacles that could prevent the students from following through on their dreams.

“We must never surrender to our demons,” he said. “We must never quit until we have succeeded in our goals.”

Students Diego Chahda and Alexandra Hansen were nominated to speak on behalf of the graduating class. Together they spoke in a dialogue, giving personal nicknames to each and every graduate.

“Nicknames stick to people, and the most ridiculous are the most adhesive,” Hansen said.

After many laughs, staff speaker Teresa Lee Jenkins, chair of the English department, spoke about her personal experiences with the class.

“I remember when you were all rambunctious freshmen,” she said. “It seems like such a short time ago.”

She spoke about change and tradition.

“Constancy and tradition have their places, but all traditions come from change,” she said.

Lastly, she quoted a characterfrom the Harry Potter books.

“It is our choices that make us who we are, far more than our abilities,” she said.
 

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