Dexter, Missouri - The Class of 2016 graduated on Friday, May 13th at the Bearcat Event Center marking the beginning of the next chapter for more than 130 students.

Dexter High School Choir sang, “Lean on Me” with several seniors performing solos.  They also sang “I’ll Always Remember You” both songs directed by Jamie Sepulvado.

Mitch Wood, Superintendent, introduced this years Salutatorian and Valedictorian.

Delaney Pullen was named the Class of 2016 Salutatorian with a GPA of 4.3402.  She is the daughter of Alex and Lori Pullen.

She opened her speech by thanking her amazing teachers that her class has had over the past thirteen years. 

“Without your help and guidance, or without you passing your knowledge to us we would not be where we are today.”  She also thanked her parents.

She mentioned that she did not get the opportunity to know each and every one of the graduating Class of 2016 and she regretted that; however some of them she knew too well. 

Delaney talked about how proud she was of living in such a small town of Dexter.  “I have realized just how proud I am to call this place home.  My hope for each of you is that you are able to recognize how lucky we all are to be Bearcats and to hold onto that wherever life takes you.  While you may never return to Dexter, I encourage you all to one day strive to give back in some way to the community that has given so much to each of us.”

“I do not think any of us are peaking tonight," Pullen continued." I believe each of us is destined to do something amazing and there are far greater things out there for us than what we are leaving behind.”

“We will take away the friendships and the memories that have made us who we are over the past 13 years.”

She ended her speech with a humorous comment,” God gave us all two ends – one to think with and the other to sit on.  Your success depends on which end you use more.  Heads you win and tails you lose!” 

Julia Hahn, who will attend the University of Alabama, was named the Class of 2016 Valedictorian. 

She graduated with a GPA of 4.4081 and is the daughter of Brad and Melissa Hahn of Dexter.  She plans to major in Chemical and Biological Engineering with a tract in Pre-Medicine.

Julie stated that the number one fear in America is public speaking and for working hard for four years to become Valedictorian she was forced to write a speech during finals week and speak in front of a few thousand people at her graduation. The audience and her classmates chuckled.

She thanked God for His endless love and the many blessings He has given her.  She thanked her classmate and friend Delaney on her excellent academic career and the countless hours she spent studying with her in Calculus.  She also thanked her teachers and her parents for their support and encouragement throughout the years.

Julia said, “If I could summarize this night in one quote, it would be ‘How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.’ Although saying goodbye is never easy, it is even more difficult when you must part ways with people you have spent your entire childhood and teenage years with.”

She noted that our community had experienced in the past couple of weeks a few tragedies and that your whole world can be turned upside down in the blink of an eye.  There will be times when you feel like you are at the top of the world and others when you feel like you have hit an all time low.  She then shared a few things she had learned in her 18 years on this earth.

1.    Live in the Moment – “Each day, each moment, each breath we take, is a gift that we must take advantage of so I challenge you to be spontaneous, live intentionally and with passion, try new things, and most importantly stop waiting for tomorrow. Infuse your life with action!”

2.    Don’t be a “kinda” Person – “If you “kinda” want something, then you will “kinda” get the results you want.  Don’t let your dreams hide away in your mind.  Commit to them with everything you have.”

3.    Be Somebody Who Makes Everybody Feel Like a Somebody – “Look around you.  Each person in this room is dealing with something you know absolutely nothing about.  Pave your own path, maintain relationships with others, and always, always be kind.  Let people know how much they are loved.  Give a voice to the voiceless, be an inspiration to those around you.  Remember where you came from and pay it forward.”

With those words of wisdom to the Class of 2016 and to the parents, grandparents, family and friends she asked each to join her in prayer to our Heavenly Father.

“Thank you for giving us lifelong friends and memories that we will cherish forever. Thank you for blessing us with such amazing teachers and parents who have supported us and prepared us for the next step in our lives.  We ask that you continue to guide us and look over us as we begin this new journey.  We know the road ahead is a challenging one, but, Lord, we trust the plans you have for us.  I ask these things in Jesus name, Amen.”

“I congratulate the Dexter High School Class of 2016 and wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors.”

Dan Pollock, Principal of Dexter High School asked as he read their name those students who were awarded scholarships to stand.  He also recognized those who were joining the military, Top 10% of the class, and the Dexter Honor Society members.

The Class of 2016 chose as their class color – platinum, their class song as “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd and their class motto as “If we cannot find the road to success.  We will make one!”  Student Body President was Kerigan Brady.

Rick Williams, President of the Dexter R-XI Board of Education, read the acceptance of the class and then presented the diplomas as each student walked across the stage to receive their diploma from Kevin Bishop.  Mitch Wood gave closing remarks.