MHS 2016 Graduation

The Malta High School gymnasium was nearly packed last Sunday afternoon as the school presented thirty-seven Malta High School seniors with their high school diplomas.

"I'm impressed with this senior class," Principal Scott King said in his opening remarks. "Several of them wrote in their senior farewells how grateful they are to live in our community. They recognized that their many accomplishments and successes happened because of the support they received at home and through our community and our school."

After Principal King opened the commencement, the Malta High School Concert Choir sang Billy Joel's And So It Goes, under the direction of Mr. Larry Swingen.

Following the choir, MHS co-valedictorian Marley Manoukian, gave her address.

She opened by saying that she wasn't much of a public speaker, but what followed was nothing short of inspirational.

"Each of our classmates has a special gift, whether it be intellectual, athletic, artistic, musical, or mechanical," Manoukian said. "Each individual has demonstrated these through successes in FFA, choir and band, athletics, speech and drama, and a lengthy list of clubs and electives."

She also gave credit to the community of Malta.

"We have been fortunate enough to be a part of a community that supports these gifts and of an educational system that has gone to great lengths to strengthen them," she said. "It is because of these opportunities, we have been able to find our talents and ourselves along the way."

She went on to say that the Class of 2016 is a competitive and dedicated class.

"As each of us departs from here in our own direction, I am confident that we will share these gifts and attributes to the best of our abilities, making our own positive impacts on the world," Manoukian said.

She expressed thanks to the community for their support by always showing up to events and activities.

In her closing remarks she thanked her teachers, coaches and the school staff. She also thanked her friends and family for their endless support.

Manoukian's speech was followed by fellow valedictorian Tyson Carney's address. Carney opened by giving thanks to the families of the 2016 class, teachers and staff.

"The teachers of the Malta School system, from elementary through high school, are second to none, all deserve a very special thank-you," he said.

He addressed the underclassmen admonishing them to enjoy the time they had left in high school, to work hard and to always be true to themselves.

He then addressed his fellow graduates. He told them to aim high, looking ahead to the future.

"Small goals can be comfortable and achievable, but do little to improve your life. Aim high to inspire yourself and help achieve your goals," he said.

He went on to say that success can be achieved by every graduate.

"As graduates you now have the skills to learn anything, take on the arduous tasks, get along with others, and set new more challenging goals," Carney said.

He encouraged his class to take everything one day at a time.

"No one is an overnight success, they get there by steadily improving," Carney said.

He warned that change will be constant throughout the rest of their lives.

"We cannot keep things the same as they are now, no matter how much we may want to," Carney said.

He mentioned that life at home, the high school routine and friendships will change. He mentioned that responsibilities will be added to their lives including laundry, shopping and meal preparation.

"The fact that you are here shows that you are successful and that alone gives you mental strength and proves you can trust yourself to cope with all the changes and challenges you will face and you will succeed," Carney said.

In closing he told his classmates to DREAM.

"If this is in the future you are passionate about, you can create all the goals and steps that will get you there," he said. "You can be the person you truly want to be!"

After the addresses by Manoukian and Carney the Malta High School concert band performed Ruckus and Gonna Fly Now, the theme from Rocky.

Shortly after the class was presented with their diplomas and shared words of thanks and their aspirations for the future.

Malta Public Schools Superintendent Kris Kuehn gave the closing remarks, also giving thanks to the retiring staff from the school district, which included Karen Sisco, Karen Rosendahl and Becky Green.

"Karen Sisco, Karen Rosendahl and Becky Green have dedicated thousands of hours enhancing the education of the students of Malta," Kuehn said.

King closed by thanking all who helped and attended the graduation commencement.

The Malta Concert band ended the ceremony with the school's fight song, The Blue and White.