Dr. Younghans welcomed the IB diploma candidates and their families, and thanked the students for all of their hard work.

Mr. Scott Garvin, IB English teacher, was the faculty speaker. He spoke with his usual humor, but challenged the students to think about the decisions they make now, and in the future. Highlights from his charge to the graduates included: “Some decisions impact your immediate circumstances, but some decisions can impact your whole lives, so choose carefully; Through your CAS hours you have had a great impact on our society; You know how to find your purpose; It is time for you to decide what comes next; You are capable of making your own decisions. We know it too, and we trust you; You are responsible for figuring out what you want to do and then to go and do it.”

Mrs. Theresa Collins and Mr. Carl Weaver, TOK teachers, also thanked the students for their hard work. “We are so proud of you, and you should be proud of yourselves. You’ve all reached the goal!” They also thanked the families in attendance, as they noted that the IB workload can be stressful, and the students need family support. They added that “The IB experience has prepared you well for what is to come. You have learned leadership through your CAS activities…Through the traits you have learned in the Learner Profile, you should all be reflective. You should what you have learned about yourself, and you should continue to strive for a growth mindset. Use these experiences as stepping stones for the next chapter in your lives.”

Next, Mrs. Collins and Mr. Weaver awarded the IB stoles.

And then the IB lamp was passed from the class of 2017 to a member of the class of 2018.

The class of 2017 shared about their CAS project over the last two years, in collaboration with students from an IB school in  Flint, Michigan.

And then the students were presented to their families, GHS faculty, administrators, and board members as the 2017 IB Diploma Candidates.

Mrs. Collins had prepared a gift for each IB candidate with this: “It’s not what the world holds for you. It’s what you bring to it.” (Anne Shirley)

Congratulations, IB diploma candidates. Great job!