SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Principal Beverly Spondike has no doubt Spanish Fort’s Class of 2009 will leave its mark on the world because the indelible one left on the fledgling school is one steeped in character and leadership.

“I am so impressed with the level of maturity and leadership our seniors have exhibited, and I am certain these are characteristics they’re going to carry with them as they take the next steps in their lives,” Spondike said, adding, “They’re going to be successful in whatever they choose.”

And as 173 graduates progressed across the stage Tuesday night at the new SFHS stadium to accept their deserved diplomas, Spondike’s assessment of the first class to complete all four years at the new facility rang true.

With 11 students graduating with honors and 100 of the 173 completing their high-school careers with at least a 3.0 grade point average, the pride beaming on the faces of the parents, friends and extended family members in the stands rivaled the early-evening sun.

Valedictorian Mary McClosky urged her peers to continue raising the bar wherever they go.

“Think about the greatness you will achieve, not the things that might stand in your way. What will you attempt to do, knowing that you cannot fail? How high will you climb?” she said.

McClosky will attend Auburn University’s Honors College in the fall, majoring in either chemistry or biology.

Spondike said 70 percent of the graduating class is college-bound, with 10 graduates planning to enlist in the military and others deferring college enrollment until January while they work to secure funds.

Above all, she said she is amazed by the creativity and collaboration she saw at work throughout the year, and she praised the Class of 2009 for working so hard to set standards by which all future classes will be judged.

“They met together in groups, decided amongst themselves what their priorities were going to be and then came to us and presented their ideas for ways to start some new traditions for the school,” she said.

For instance, both out-of-uniform days and Senior Privilege cards were ideas generated from within the senior class.

See the rest of this story in the May 21 Spanish Fort Sun.