Mason’s largest graduating class made a big impact. A class of creatives, social activists, and state and national champions (some members even missed their commencement ceremony to compete at the National Science Olympiad Competition where the team came in second in the nation) - students recognized that being the “largest class” was about more than numbers.
“At the beginning of this year, we left the halls of Mason High School and looked up to the skies to watch the Great American Eclipse. Let us end the year, looking up to the skies, reaching for our limitless future. Next year, many of you are going to college, some of you are joining the military, but all of you are going to make a difference,” said Class of 2018 vice president, Collin Aldrich. "As Comets streaming across the sky, we not only leave a trail, we blaze a trail, where we continue to set records, help our community, innovate, and create a legacy.
The William Mason High School Class of 2018 had plenty of options - more than 1,000 in fact - when it came to deciding on post-secondary paths. Eighty-seven percent of the class will head to 145 American colleges or universities and four schools in England, Japan and the Philippines. Seventy-five percent of college-bound grads will stay in Ohio, and 52 percent of college-bound grads chose private universities. Two percent of the class will enroll in career education or an apprenticeship, two percent of the class is embarking on full-time employment, one percent of the class will serve our country in the military, and three percent of the class is taking a gap year.
More than 360 students received over $12 million in academic, arts and/or athletic scholarships and awards. There were 39 National Merit Finalists, 43 National Merit Commended Scholars, six Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars, 361 summa cum laude graduates, 106 magna cum laude graduates, 100 cum laude graduates, and 383 students who received Ohio’s Honors Diploma.
During the school’s 132nd commencement address, School Board President Matt Steele, made welcoming remarks and Superintendent Dr. Gail-Kist Kline used the classic Dr. Suess book, Green Eggs and Ham, to encourage students to be adaptable. “As my friend Julie Washington said, ‘If you only have 62 pages to tell your story you want it to be focused on the things that are most important to you.’”
MHS science teacher Carol Lehman was chosen by the Class of 2018 to deliver the Faculty Address, and received a standing ovation after delivering her wise words. "Meaningful relationships are built with people - not screens. Let technology refine you, but don't let it define you.” She also advised students to "choose your friends wisely - a real friend will tell you the truth that might make you cry rather than telling you a lie that might make you smile."
Student body president Victor Chen and senior class officers McKayla Peebles, president, Collin Aldrich, vice-president, David Sun, secretary, and Paige Riegert, treasurer, provided an overview of their class achievements. Valedictorian Atneya Nair also addressed his classmates. Board members Courtney Allen, Charles Galvin, Matt Steele, Kevin Wise, and Connie Yingling presented diplomas. The Mason High School Wind Symphony led the processional and played “Kirkpatrick Fanfare,” a senior choral ensemble sang “100 Years”, and a senior orchestra ensemble played Mason’s Alma Mater, “Green and White.”
