East Ridge seniors celebrate graduation (W/PHOTO GALLERY)

• East Ridge seniors

East Ridge High School’s 2012 Commencement Ceremony honoring its graduation seniors was held June 2 at the Perch, the school’s gymnasium.

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• PHOTO GALLERY: East Ridge High School's 2012 graduation

East Ridge High School seniors made their final walk on Saturday during the school’s graduation ceremony.

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Ridge’s graduation was held June 2 at the Perch, the school’s gymnasium.

“These students are high achieving, caring responsible individuals,” East Ridge principal Aaron Harper said.

Roughly 348 students received diplomas on Saturday.

The ceremony included two student speakers – the class president and a student-elected speaker – as well as a student-elected staff speaker.

East Ridge senior class president, and this year’s top student, Anushua Bhattacharya spoke to her fellow graduates about her high school memories and what the future holds.

“It’s an amazing to think where we are now,” she said. “Today’s a time to reflect on the past moments and anticipate the future moments.”

Bhattacharya also honored East Ridge student Braedon Hyland who died earlier this year in a car crash during her speech.

Bhattacharya spoke much during her speech about the happy endings in books and movies and hopes that all of her fellow graduates can find those same happy endings.

“We made it,” she said. It’s the end and hopefully it’s a happily ever after for all of us.”

The second student-speaker was Alex Hovda, who was elected by the senior class.

Much of Hovda’s speech contained humorous recollections of his high school career but he did have these words of wisdom: “The life you want is attainable.”

The third and final speech of the graduation ceremony came from East Ridge English teacher Adam Hayes.

Hayes spoke about how society is ripe for the coming of the next 1920s – or era of ideas – and this year’s seniors will be leading the charge.

“The idea here is for innovation, not imitation,” he said. “I hope you all learn to delight in the power of the question.”

Hayes also advised students to not forget who they are.

“Remember your identify as a member of this community that loves you and remember your identity as an individual,” he said.

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