Wabash’s Class of 2017 read their graduation ceremony pamphlets as their peers begin to take their walk across the Honeywell Center Ford Theater stage and receive their diplomas on Friday, June 2. Photo by Emma Rausch

By Emma Rausch

Wabash High School co-valedictorians Nicole Adams and Mary Guisewhite sent off their graduating class Friday night, June 2, with a few laughs and a walk down memory lane.

The pair shared the stage and set the tone for the night’s ceremony as they started their farewell, thanking everyone who arrived at graduation to support the class of 2017.

“Thank you to the audience for being here tonight regardless of any other event or occasion, like First Fridays,” Guisewhite said with a smile. “I mean it’s not like graduation is important or anything.”

Southwood seniors toss their caps following graduation Friday, June 2. Photo by Harold V. Chatlosh

By Emma Rausch

Southwood High School’s newest graduates were encouraged to strive for greatness as they turned their tassels on graduation caps Friday night, June 2.

At the graduation, 62 knights walked the stage, accepted their diplomas and officially became alumni, but not before their class valedictorian Makenna Dawes and salutatorian Taylor Heath said their farewells.

Before sharing words of encouragement, Dawes told her peers how, when writing her valedictory speech, she wondered what right her GPA really gave her “to stand here and give you any advice.”

Northfield seniors Taylor Johnson, Megan Bickel, Diamond Sears, Jeleena Baker, Rebecca Roberts and Ariel Shellenbarger show off their blinged-up caps and gowns on Saturday, June 3. Photo by Harold V. Chatlosh

By Joseph Slacian

Austin Trump gave the valedictorian speech Saturday night, June 3, at Northfield High School.

But, in the speech, he admitted the honor would not have been possible without the help of many. He credited his teachers, coaches and even his classmates in helping to make the accomplishment possible.

Trump cited teachers at both Metro North Elementary School and Northfield High School for making differences in the students’ lives.

Manchester students hug after turning the tassels on their caps during commencement Friday night, June 2. Photo by David Fenker

By David Fenker

NORTH MANCHESTER -- More than 100 members of the Manchester High School Class of 2017 participated in the school’s commencement ceremony Friday, June 2.

In addition to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” of the ceremony, graduating senior Carmah Parr serenaded a packed gymnasium with her rendition of Randy Newman’s “Almost There”; the MHS Concert Band featured senior Lexi Webb on trumpet in “Trumpeter’s Lullaby” by Leroy Anderson; and the MHS Choir senior members performed Pinkzebra’s “Fly Away Home”.

Ryan Baker

By Joseph Slacian

Ryan Baker has announced his intentions to seek the Republican nomination for Wabash County Sheriff in the May 2018 Primary Election.

“It’s something I’ve been interested in for years,” Baker told The Paper of Wabash County on Monday, June 5. “I feel that over the last 16 years that I’ve gained some pretty decent knowledge of the working of the sheriff’s department, between the jail, the road, working with the reserves.

“At the end of the I think I can make a positive change in law enforcement in Wabash County.”