NEH students challenge fellow graduates to ‘conquer the unconquerable’

By Lori Berglund — Daily Freeman-Journal Editor
BLAIRSBURG — The 29 members of the 2008 graduating class at Northeast Hamilton so enjoyed their high school years that Principal Pat Hocking speculated, “I think there’s some of you that would stay another year.”

But stay, they will not as the class came together for commencement in the NEH gym Sunday afternoon. Senior speakers Jackie Burkle and Carrie Greenfield reminisced with the class about everything from rainy field trips to the excitement of a state football championships.

“This class will never be forgotten and will never go away,” the two said.

Speaking next, Megan Greenfield and Danielle Baker encouraged their fellow classmates to thank the people who had helped this succeed.Life would present challenges they said, telling their classmates to “forget when things don’t go your way (and always) pick yourself up and move on.”

Throughout the program there was reference to the class motto: “Strive to conquer the unconquerable.”

Jordan Anderson talked about the value of small schools and remarked that some members of the Class of 2008 had joined NEH after their own school closed, but now always seemed to be a part of Northeast Hamilton.

The commencement also featured a vocal performance by Lisa Thelke, Jackie Greenfield and Carrie Greenfield.