‘Journeys make you’

Central graduates 157 in hot outdoor ceremony

By Wendy McCardle, wmccardle@altoonamirror.com
ROARING SPRING — Aside from future journeys and following dreams, the most popular and noticeable thought with the 157 Central High School graduates, staff and family and friends was the almost unbearable heat at the football field ceremony.

Minutes before the red and gray-clad graduates entered the field, they were sweating it out near the concession stand, many of them wearing sunglasses and waving programs or other papers, sometimes even their caps, toward their faces.

‘‘It’s gonna be nice and hot,’’ said Brandan Garman of Martinsburg, who said he will miss hanging out and having fun with his friends most of all from his high school experience. Garman plans to study nursing at the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center.

Friend Jeremy Burkett of Roaring Spring was a member of band, Scouts and cross country but said he was not too sad to see it end.

‘‘I’m glad for it to be over,’’ he said. Burkett is deciding between studying mechanics and entering the military.

Martinsburg resident Hatty Mahon was taking refuge in the shade provided by the concession stand building and said she was a little nervous about the evening’s ceremony and about what lies ahead.

‘‘Yay! I’m done with high school,’’ she said with a laugh. ‘‘I’ll miss high school, but then I won’t.’’

Mahon said she especially will miss a handful of her teachers who have made a significant impact on her high school years.

Spring Cove Superintendent Rodney L. Green, a Central High School alumnus, recognized two graduates who will enter military service: Miles J. Smith, who will enter the Marine Corps, and Chealsi Lear, who is joining the National Guard.

Green then spoke about the journey facing the eager graduates.

‘‘This one journey may be coming to an end, but another journey is about to begin,’’ he said. ‘‘As you make your journey, your journeys will make you.’’

At least one person succumbed to the high temperatures at the beginning of the year’s first heat wave, as an audience member was taken from the home bleachers and into an awaiting ambulance during the first speech.

Mirror Staff Writer Wendy McCardle is at 946-7520.