Ilion High School - Class of 2010

Source file is here Ilion presents Block I Awards on www.uticaod.com

Photograph courtesy of The Utica Observer Dispatch

Photo Caption - Ilion high school valedictorian Rachel Stegemann speaks at the school's graduation ceremony on Friday, June 25, 2010.

Ilion graduate: 'The world is in our hands'
By Rebecca Croniser

Alexis and Shannon March's father wasn't at their graduation on Friday. He was serving in Iraq.

Instead, an American flag in a glass case was displayed at the podium during the Ilion High School graduation ceremony. He sent the flag from Iraq back in November in case he didn't come home on time.

It still made it a family affair for the twin sisters, who each graduated with Advanced Regents diplomas Friday.

They were among 114 graduates at the school.

As Principal Renee Rudd displayed the flag, she told the students to let it be a reminder to them to "never do less than your best."

Rudd said the Ilion class of 2010 was good at doing their best - 36 students earned Advanced Regents diplomas.

The students themselves reflected on their time at the school.

Salutatorian Meghan Fogerty said she remembered entering kindergarten.

"We're just like those little kids sitting at the short desk," she said. "But instead of crayons, the world is in our hands."

Class valedictorian Rachel Stegemann told her classmates that as they go out in the world they should take Ilion with them.

"Ilion will always be in our hearts," she said.

Photograph courtesy of The Utica Observer Dispatch

Photo Caption - Ilion high school graduated 114 seniors Friday at the school's graduation ceremony on Friday, June 25, 2010.