‘We Will Always Remember our Time at Mooseheart’
Members Share Students’ Bittersweet Emotions as They Enter ‘Real World’
> The 15 members of Mooseheart’s class of 2004, eyes and hearts overflowing, stepped onto the stage of the Mooseheart Fieldhouse at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 29, to receive their diplomas as more than 1,000 men and women from their extended Moose family cheered them on.
Supreme Governor Thomas Hatcher echoed their pride as he told the young people that, for many in our fraternity, Mooseheart’s annual graduation is recognized as the fruits of their labor, too.
“To many of us your progress and accomplishments have given us the same feeling of pride that any parent would have for their children,” Hatcher said. The Supreme Governor reminded the graduates that they will not be forgotten.
“Remember, you are our children, and our interest in you will never wane,” Hatcher said. “We will share with pride your accomplishments, and will stand ready to lift you after a failure.”
Hatcher urged the students to keep cultivating and adding to the knowledge they gained at Mooseheart; to maintain high moral standards, and always nurture a positive attitude about the future.
“We urge you to shoot for the moon—for even if you miss, you will be among the stars,” Hatcher concluded. “We wish you good luck and Godspeed on all your future endeavors.”
Also addressing the class, per tradition, were Salutatorian Molly Robinson and Valedictorian Marissha Mathew.
“Today we will leave behind our entire life, as we know it,” Robinson said. “ While it is difficult to leave the security, comfort, family and friends of the Mooseheart community, we are excited to step out and forge new lives. We will always remember our time at Mooseheart, and this joyous day.”
Mathew told the audience she believes the Class of 2004 will make it in life, despite having many setbacks and likely more to come. She recounted good times among the class and concluded with a time when classmate Mike Zeigler flew off a bike—and got back on as if nothing had happened.
“The truth is,” Mathew said, “Mikey is an example for us to follow. He always hopped back on and he never quit, just like the rest of us should do.”
She urged her classmates to go make their mark in the world, never forgetting what they’ve learned—or each other.
“We have lived together for too long, and it is so hard to say ‘goodbye,’” Mathew said. “So just say, ‘see you later.’ It’ll be easier.”
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Please click on any photograph below to view a larger image.
Salutatorian Molly Robinson (left) and Valedictorian Marissha Mathew led the procession of graduates into the Fieldhouse for the 2004 Commencement ceremonies.
‘To many of us, your progress and accomplishments have given us the same feeling of pride that any parent would have for their children.’
—Supreme Governor Thomas Hatcher
Valedictorian Marissha Mathew eloquently read a poem by Langston Hughes entitled “Dreams,” drawing parallels between its subject matter and the Mooseheart Class of 2004.
The Class of 2004 spared no time in lightheartedly bombarding Superintendent Gary Urwiler with “Silly String” immediately at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Mooseheart Board Chairman Norm Schneider received a big hug from an ecstatic Alexandria Mack
Joe Ocon was getting lots of hugs from various members of his extended Mooseheart family.
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August/September/October 2004
