Principal Kelley St. Coeur told the Ashland High School Class of 2016 on June 5 to keep asking the hard questions as they face constant societal changes.
In her remarks, St. Coeur said (excerpts): “I have to take a moment to say how much I appreciate you for being the class that has challenged me each and every day for the past four years. And I mean that as the sincerest of compliments. I can’t tell you how much I value that trait. You are young adults who never hesitate to ask the hard questions. You are people who are willing to take risks. From the moment you walked into Ashland High as freshmen, you have engaged in discussions that helped me to think about what is best for the entire Ashland High School community.
“As a class, you have been faced with societal changes that we could not have begun to imagine back when I was finishing high school. And sometimes change is painful and ugly and unfair. But often it is necessary and leads us to a place of better understanding and unity. You are an exceptionally talented and passionate group of students, probably one of the most diverse I have seen in the many years I have been in education. I believe that among you there will be scientists who do find cures for the diseases that still haunt us and politicians that change government in ways we can’t yet imagine and educators who continue to take inclusive schools to the next level.
“ . . . My challenge to you is that you keep thinking about and changing what you know to be true. Keep asking the difficult questions and having the hard conversations. Keep speaking up when you think something isn’t right. I hope you keep showing the world that you are willing to talk about what you believe in and that you are willing to listen to others’ viewpoints.”
Graduation day photos
courtesy of
Grynn & Barrett Studios.