The Academy's Class of 2024 celebrate their achievements
The Academy 2024 Graduation
Over 50 students walked across the McHale Performing Arts Center stage to receive their diploma Thursday night. As family and friends cheered and applauded, the Class of 2024 of The Academy of Logansport Community School Corporation celebrated their graduation night.
The second annual commencement exercises began with the students walking to their seats on the stage as “Pomp and Circumstance” played. Upon taking their seats, principal Greg Grostefon introduced Logansport Community School Corporation Michele Starkey, who delivered a short speech on The Academy’s growth and its future.
“The opportunities that our students have had are tremendous we’re grateful that all of you in this audience allowed us to be a part of your students’ journey, and they appreciate your support too, I’m sure,” Starkey said. “Because no matter how old we are, no matter what we’re doing in life, we all still need that support system, and it will continue to ring true for all of you once you leave this stage. They’ve truly reached a milestone and each of them have their own story to tell, and I’m so excited for what the future has in store for all of them.”
Grostefon thanked the staff and teachers of The Academy for providing a strong foundation and being guiding lights for students’ growth. In his speech, he spoke on how successful the students are going to be and how their perseverance has set them up for success in whatever they may do.
”... I can’t let an opportunity pass where I don’t use a quote from my favorite leader and role model, Winston Churchill, who said very simply ‘never give in. Never, never, never, except to convictions of honor and good sense,’” Grostefon said.
Veronica Sanchez The Academy
Veronica Sanchez, part of the graduating Class of 2024 at The Academy at Logansport Community School Corporation, stands with Superintendent Michele Starkey after receiving her diploma on Thursday.
Throughout the ceremony, six students came to the podium to speak about their experiences at The Academy: Ariel Ingle, Mitchel Grace, Tianna Sims, Chelsee Osburn, Madison Watson and Veronica Sanchez. They each shared their stories about how they came to the Academy, thanked their teachers, staff, family members and friends for their support, and wished each other luck in the future.
Sanchez, the last one to speak, told the audience how she came to the school after becoming pregnant with her son so she could work on her education at her own pace. She later got a full-time job while in school to pay to take care of her son, which led to both good and bad days. But Sanchez said if someone back then told her where she would be now, she would not have believed them.
“Life knocked me down, but with the help of this program, my friends and family, I was able to get back up. My son is my biggest blessing in my life, he is my motivation to keep going. I want to make him proud and vow to never give up,” Sanchez said. “To my classmates today, if no one has told you, I am proud of us. We achieved what seemed impossible, don’t let anyone tell you you’re not worth it.”
She thanked Grostefon, the teachers, parents and staff for understanding all the students’ unique situations and giving them a chance at an education. Grostefon then presented her with the Principal Perseverance award for her work at The Academy.
”This young lady exemplifies hard work, perseverance and grit,” Grostefon said before Sanchez spoke. “She not only completed her requirements for graduation, but she pursued them with a rare passion.”
Students were then called up individually to receive their diploma from Starkey, with cheers, applause and the occasional “way to go” message from the audience accompanying them as they walked. The ceremony concluded with Grostefon leading the students in the tassel ritual.
“God bless and the best of luck to the Class of 2024,” Grostefon said after students flipped their tassels.
