As the 2016 school year comes to a close, the senior class of Luverne High School donned their white robes to walk down the aisle for their diplomas.

Salutatorian Ashlynn Nicole Odom took to the lectern first to speak to her graduating class on the importance of looking ahead as well as learning from the past.

“Our lives are not tied to our high school grades or to how many activities we were involved in. Our lives are what we make them,” Odom said.

“Whatever your experience has been here, we’ll always remember this place and the times we’ve spent here. As Dr. Seuss said, ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.’”

Throughout the night, multiple LHS students were honored with scholarship presentations. Overall, the estimated total for the class of 2016 came to $331,535.

Valedictorian Nadaja Adoree Debose looked back fondly on her years at LHS and knows that this is where she was always supposed to be. Even though she says she personally has faced many trials during her high school career, she noted that the supportive faculty of LHS has always been there to guide her and direct her. These are memories she will never forget, and ones she still treasures to this day.

“Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. Do not dwell in the past. Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go; no one else,” Debose said.

“Class of 2016, walk in your destiny. Chase every dream you have. Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned or won. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. Life is short: live it. Love is rare: grab it. Anger is bad: dump it. Fear is awful: face it. Memories are sweet: cherish it.”