It was an ideal evening to end one chapter and set forth on another for the Indian Lake High School Class of 2024.
ILHS recently held Commencement Ceremonies in front of a packed house in Laker Stadium.
The graduation speaker was ILES Principal Molly Hall. She noted that this class was in kindergarten when she became principal and that's just one of the reasons they are so special to her. She gave them three main ideas that are important as they enter the next stage of life.
1. Be a good person. Don't be a jerk. Think of the way beloved Indian Lake matriarch and music teacher Judy Grubbs treated everyone. Hall advised, "In a world full of jerks, be a Judy. "
2. Get good at doing to the hard stuff.
"If you think because you're leaving here today with a diploma from Indian Lake High School things are now going to get easier, you are wrong. If you want to pursue great things in life, you must get good at the hard stuff. You must develop resilience, determination and grit in the face of adversity."
3. Indian Lake will always be your home. Be proud to be a Laker.
"This year more than ever I'm reminded of how proud I am to be a Laker...As we watch you cross the stage today we are all so very proud of you. You've done it! But don't think for a moment that we will stop watching you and cheering for you. Whether it's college, the military or the workforce we will be rooting you on every step of the way."
Class President Ryan Culp took the seniors down memory lane, recounting the years affected by Covid-19, the tragic loss of two friends this past year and finally, the tornado response and ongoing recovery.
"And so as we stand on the threshold of the future, let us not forget where we came from. Let's recognize how fortunate we are to have all of these chairs full. Let's take a second to soak it all in because you'll never be a high schooler again."
Before each member of the class received their diploma, the Top 10 scholars were announced.
They are: (10) Ryan Culp, (9) Isaac Meyers, (8)
Chloe Sparks, (7) Haylee Edwards, (6-Salutatorian) Ashlynn Biederman, (1-Valedictorian) Anne Braig, (1-Valedictorian) Maddux Hall, (1-Valedictorian) Hannah Hoffman, (1-Valedictorian) Hannah Metzger and (1-Valedictorian) Kaitlyn Shaner.
Once the ceremony was complete, the graduates threw their caps in the air and posed for pictures with family and friends.
Congratulations ILHS Class of 2024!!
You may watch the ILHS Class of 2024 Commencement ceremony at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4nica_ogM0
The ILHS Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 24th at 7 pm at Laker Stadium. In case of inclement weather, we will move Graduation into the ILHS Main Gym.There is no limit on the number of family members who may attend this exciting event.
The commencement speaker will be 1999 ILHS Graduate and current Indian Lake Elementary School Principal Molly Hall. (See biography below)
We very much look forward to welcoming our Class of 2024 family and friends and celebrating the many accomplishments of our Indian Lake Seniors!
A few notes on Graduation...
**If you plan to attend, please dress for the weather. We will only move to the ILHS Main Gym in case of storms.
**Laker Stadium will open at 5:30 pm.
**Baccalaureate is at 6 pm in the Auditorium.
**Please bring water to stay hydrated.
**Graduates must be dressed and in their seats in the Aux Gym at 6:45 pm.
**Commencement ceremonies will be videotaped and posted for viewing the next day.
Indian Lake Elementary School Principal Molly Hall graduated as Valedictorian from ILHS in 1999. She went on to graduate from Ohio Northern University in 2003 with a degree in Middle Childhood Education with concentrations in Math, Social Studies and English/Language Arts. While at Ohio Northern, she was a defensive specialist for the Women’s Volleyball Team. During her time as a Polar Bear she was a part of three OAC Regular Season League Championships and one OAC Tournament Championship. She earned Academic ALL OAC honors and was the 2002 Jenny Bird-Duff Memorial Award Winner.
Mrs. Hall began her teaching career with Indian Lake Schools in 2003 and taught a variety of grade levels including 4th grade, 6th grade Math, 9th grade Math, and 8th grade ELA, Algebra and Pre-Algebra. She also coached middle school cheerleading and Freshman and JV volleyball for several years. In those eight years she earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Wright State University in 2008 and her Principal’s License in 2009. Hall was hired as the Indian Lake Elementary Assistant Principal in 2011 and has served as the Principal ever since.
In 2013, Indian Lake Elementary was awarded the State Superintendent’s School of Promise Award and earned The Momentum Award in 2018. The school's PBIS program has garnered both Bronze and Silver Awards from the Ohio Department of Education. In addition, the school was nominated as one of 26 Ohio schools to be recognized as National Title One Distinguished Schools for 2023. Most recently, ILES was honored as a 5-star elementary for the 2022-23 school year.
Mrs. Hall married her high school sweetheart and fellow ILHS alumni, Wes. They are the proud parents of three boys, Maddux, Cooper and Miller--all of whom attend Indian Lake Schools. When not at the elementary, you can usually find her at a field, gymnasium, or auditorium supporting not only her children, but the many talented Indian Lake students that she is so proud of.