SPANISH FORT, Ala. — “Explore, dream, discover…”

Spanish Fort High School Principal Beverly Spondike invoked the spirit of celebrated wordsmith Mark Twain Monday night as 178 of 183 graduating seniors waited for the final moment of their high school careers to pass and looked forward to the new chapters their diplomas will help write.

“There are so many accomplishments for this class,” said Spondike, applauding the Class of 2010’s leadership qualities and legacy of community service.

Academically, the class boasts 11 students who earned the College Prep Diploma with Distinction Endorsement, meaning they earned a minimum grade-point-average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale in 18 core subjects.

The SFHS Class of 2010 also boasts the school’s first National Merit Finalist, Robert Rosati.

Collectively, the class garnered a total of nearly $3.6 million in scholarship offers to pay for post-secondary education both close to home and across the country.

“It’s very impressive, and I’m very proud,” Spondike said.

Moreover, eight class members will enter the military upon graduation, including one joining the U.S. Army Reserves, two joining the U.S. Air Force, four joining the U.S. Marine Corps and one joining the U.S. Army.

Valedictorian Lee Harrison challenged his classmates to “embrace the future with open arms moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things as we strive to see our dreams and aspirations become reality.”

In her address, Salutatorian Heidi Glassie thanked all of the people who wove the unyielding support network necessary for she and her peers to take the stage Monday night.

“Whether academic, artistic, athletic, or personal, our high school experience has not been without struggle. It is our friendships with our peers and teachers that make these trials bearable,” Glassie said.

Senior Class President Turner Walton, however, brought levity to the momentous occasion when he reminded the family and friends watching from the stands above, “…if any of you are still on the fence about what graduation present to give, I think I speak on behalf of all the seniors when I say just keep Yogi Berra’s philosophy in mind: ‘Cash is just as good as money.’”

Online extra: the speakers' FULL SPEECHES

Valedictorian Speech

Lee Harrison

    Good evening, and welcome to the 2010 Spanish Fort High School graduation ceremony. The great Paul “Bear” Bryant once said, “Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never quit.” I believe it is safe to say that this great group of young men and women behind me, along with myself, have abided by these words of wisdom for four grueling years. We have all persevered in some aspect of our high school careers whether it was in academia, athletics, or the performing arts; therefore, the graduating class of 2010 is marked by determination, and this undying attitude will follow us throughout the rest of our lives. However, none of this could be possible without the amazing staff we have at Spanish Fort High School. For this, I would like to offer a special thank you to Mrs. Spondike and the faculty members who helped guide us in the right direction; preparing us for the challenges college has to offer and the difficulties life will present along the way. For example, many of us can remember the challenges before us in the advanced placement courses. We came into the classes with a feeling of apprehension and left knowing that we could handle whatever obstacles await us. However, these feelings did not come without trials and tribulations throughout the school year. All of us have been persistent throughout our courses and learned from our failures—which brings me to my next point; success does not come without failure.

    Michael Jordan one time said, “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” These words instill in us that failure is inevitable, but does not come without success. Take Thomas Edison for example, who was one of the most decorated inventors in American history. When asked how many times he failed before he created a successful light bulb, Edison simply replied, “I now know 2000 ways how not to make a light bulb.” Edison never gave up on his idea, his goal, but rather received inspiration and drive from his continuous failures. We graduates at some point in our high school careers have failed at something. We have all performed below our standards and beneath expectations, but we did not become discouraged. Instead, we treated many of these failures as teaching tools so that we would not make the same mistake twice. These failures, along with our many successes, have gained us the privilege to participate in tonight’s graduation ceremony.

    On a final note, I would like to thank all of the parents and relatives who came out this evening to support us in our final moment of glory before we venture out into the world. I can truly say that I would not be here today if it were not for the love and support of my parents. From the  very beginning, when I was first starting out in elementary school, my mother instilled the importance of education in me and this continued into and throughout my high school career, although some nights she would strongly encourage I put down the television remote and pick up a book. Thanks Mom and thanks Dad for supporting me through the good times and the bad times as my fellow classmates and I journey into the world in hopes of accomplishing bigger and better things. Walt Disney, who is considered by many as one of the greatest imaginations ever known, on one occasion said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” As we leave this stadium tonight, Spanish Fort High School graduates, our paths will be unpaved and our futures waiting to be discovered. We will face hardships and let downs, successes and bliss in our uncertain futures, but it is up to us to determine our futures—good or bad. Let us embrace the future with open arms moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things as we strive to see our dreams and aspirations become reality. Thank you, good night, and God bless.

Heidi Glassie

Salutatorian 2010

Salutatorian… what an honor

Writing a speech… a difficult task

One of the simplest yet most profound ways to articulate my thoughts is through Dr. Seuss' Oh the Places You'll Go:

“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to great places; you’re off and away.” Seemingly written for children, Dr. Seuss’ last book Oh the Places You’ll Go gives an honest yet still hopeful view of life’s journey to teach us all. The senior class of 2010 represents individuals who began this journey together as well as the students who joined the Spanish Fort family later. “Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.” This graduating class is truly going places. 70% will be attending college. 3 million dollars have been awarded to its students in scholarships. 8 of my classmates will be joining the military. Life is not without struggle and Seuss advises us for the hard times too, “You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch, and your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a lurch.” Our class has experienced its share of “prickle-ly perches.” Whether academic, artistic, athletic, or personal, our high school experience has not been without struggle. It is our friendships with our peers and teachers that make these trials bearable. Thank you. “And chances are then that you’ll be in a slump. And when you’re in a slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.” Deepest gratitude to my “un-slumpers”, my mom and dad, who have endured all the ups and downs that are “a teenage girl.” I couldn’t have made it without you. As we head out into the world, decisions may get more difficult, “You’ll come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted, but mostly they’re darked. Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win? And if you go in should you turn left or right? Or right and three quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?” I believe that while there is no road map to a perfect life, we can rely on God to light our way. The question is whether we chose to follow His will or our own. “On and on you will hike and I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! 98 and ¾ percent guaranteed. Graduates, we’ll move mountains! Today is our day! Our mountains are waiting, so let’s get on our way!”

Turner Walton

Graduation speech

    First off I would like to ask my class to join me in thanking our parents, grandparents, our caregivers – those people who made today possible – the people on whose shoulders we stand, especially all the moms out there. A Sunday school teacher very dear to my heart taught me a lesson through the expression, “you are the company you keep”, and you family members in the audience have definitely been good company for this senior class. Also, if any of you are still on the fence about what graduation present to give, I think I speak on behalf of all the seniors when I say just keep Yogi Berra’s philosophy in mind: cash is just as good as money.

    I would also like to send a big thank you to the outstanding teachers, staff members, coaches, and administrators at Spanish Fort High School. Our success as a class is a testament to your hard work and dedication. The dry humor that was abundant in Ms. Freeman’s AP Calculus class was definitely a far cry from the “Johnny Story” method of Mr. Watts’ biology class, but I firmly believe that this diversity in teachers is what made our class so strong academically. Every student is different, so in place of the standard “one size fits all” method of teaching that you may find elsewhere, Spanish Fort has a number of teachers, all with a personality of their own, and that contributes to the success of all students that go through this school.

 As far as athletics go, I’ll let the numbers speak for themselves. Our football team made it to the semi finals, our soccer team made it to the finals, and our cross country, track, and baseball teams all won the 5A state championship. I had the privilege to take part in the baseball state championship this past Saturday, and it was by far one of the greatest high school experiences I have ever had. Once again, our performance in this category is a reflection of the quality instruction we received from our coaching staff led by athletic director Coach Vincent, and for this, we thank you.    

    I’m going to utilize the “bully pulpit” here and send a personal thank you to a man that has helped me in my four year high school experience. Our band director Mr. Morris is sitting right over there in front of the band. I was a member of Mr. Morris’s band for all four years of my high school career, and words cannot express how important an influence he has been in my life.  Of course, I’m only joking when I speak of his usual rants about how he’s not scared of our mommas, our daddies, or the President of the United States, and his irrefutable logic that “he’s always right and we’re always wrong; therefore, our opinion is of no value”. This year, when Ms. Spondike announced the winners of the class officer elections, there were a good number of band students holding office. I still remember the look of satisfaction on Mr. Morris’s face when he said “See, what did I tell you? The band students are running the school again!” Mr. Morris, you have been with me longer than any other teacher at Spanish Fort, and I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for me in my time here.

    When I think of our class, I think of the tenacity to succeed in any situation. As you may know, our class is the second to complete all four years of their high school experience at Spanish Fort. As such, all eyes were on us to see how we would measure up to the standards set by last year’s class. I believe that our class has shown true leadership by raising the standard to which future Spanish Fort classes will be held. As we exceeded the expectation of last year, we the class of 2010, challenge all upcoming classes to continue raising the standard to which Spanish Fort is held. We challenge them to go above and beyond the academic and athletic success our class had.

    Through our experiences here we have learned a valuable lesson. An outdoor adventure program called “Outward Bound” challenges participants to take risks, learn teamwork, and solve problems creatively. There is, however, a more fundamental purpose. When risks are not rewarded, when teamwork disintegrates, and when problems defy solutions, a benefit can still be salvaged: a second chance; the tenacity and desire to rise to one’s feet after a fall and refuse to idly sit by when it seems the world is crumbling. This tenacity enables one to rise above all that seems impossible and say, “I will not quit!” Commitment to outward success requires this inward tenacity. Some of us have already experienced this. I know I have, but all of us will need second chances, and I know that we are prepared to capitalize on them by refusing to accept the result if we do not. We cannot hope to envision the future, we can only hope to prepare ourselves for what the future holds, and I know that the class of 2010 is prepared. We must never give up on our dreams, and we must remember these simple things: Do good. Be kind. Help others. Live pure. Never give up.

    You must be the change you wish to see in the world (Gandhi). I extend my best wishes to all my classmates for a fruitful and successful future. The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match, each one of us is a fuse (Ed Koch). May we make the right choices, and may God be with us in everything we do. Thank you and God bless.