Hugs and tears of joy were shared after the graduates from Renaissance High School received their diplomas, June 3.
This year was marked with the largest graduating class Renaissance has ever had with 43 seniors.
Commencement speeches were presented by Superintendent Dr. Albert Brooks and President of Clarkston Board of Education Stephen Hyer.
Six seniors received scholarships:
Baker College Scholarships were awarded to Kelli Monroe, Merrissa Hoffman, and Stevie Morgan;
Gayle Whitener and Morgan received scholarships from Clarkston Coalition for Youth;
Optimist Scholarships were given to Hoffman and Whitener; and
Hoffman, Whitener, Danielle Schomer and Kevin Oakley earned Challenge Scholarships from Clarkston Rotary Club.
Schomer and Oakley will use the money to attend Oakland Community College. Whitener said she plans to go to University of Michigan-Flint and become the first in her family to attend college. Hoffman will put the scholarship funds towards Baker College.
A few seniors spoke about their experiences at Renaissance before everyone accepted their diplomas.
‘Renaissance was the best thing to happen to me,? said Hoffman. ‘Everyone I met changed my life in a positive way.?
Schomer added congratulations to her classmates.
‘We know we can do anything. Congrats! We finally made it!?