The Henley High School Class of 2018 celebrates at the annual comencement ceremony. June 10, 2018 (Brian Gailey).

Family, friends pack the Hornets Nest to cheer on seniors

Henley High School senior class president Mia Groff chose numbers to tell the story of her fellow graduates. She began with the number 1,377.

“This is the number of days since we walked into Henley High School. We entered this school as freshmen so long ago, with hopes, dreams and fears. We had no idea who we were,” Groff said during the commencement ceremony on Sunday afternoon. “Today we leave with similar hopes, dreams and fears, but today we leave with an open path ahead and memories to guide us.”

She listed other numbers to send her fellow graduates on their way with reminders of what Henley High means to them:

A graduate walks back to their seat after recieving a diploma at the Henley HS Graduation Ceremony. June 10, 2018 (Brian Gailey).

1,000 memories
144 seniors in the Class of 2018
104 students pursuing a higher degree at college
99: Many of the graduates were born in 1999
27: the number of colleges Henley students will attend in the fall
25 of the seniors have been together since first grade
23 teams won conference championships
20 seniors are signing on to join the U.S. Military

“Through all these numbers, the number one is the most significant,” Groff said. “We have shared this one experience at Henley High School together.”

Family and friends filled the Henley High School gym to watch the 144 graduates receive diplomas Sunday. Families wore matching shirts, cheered with standing ovations and sounded blow-horns.

A standing room only packed house for the graduation of the Class of 2018 of Henley High School. June 10, 2018 (Brian Gailey).

In an annual tradition, the Henley commencement included handing out momentous awards: the Faculty Cup, the Mike Keck Memorial Scholarship, and new this year, the Hayden Crebbin Palm Courage Award. Hayden’s father, Rob Crebbin, gave out the award, reminding the Henley community of the young woman lost her life to Merkel cell carcinoma in 2017.

Retired Henley Teacher, Rob Crebbin, speaks to the crowd as he presents the first honorary award in his daughters name, Hayden Crebbin Palm Courage Award. Recipient, Brandon "Boss" Clark. June 10, 2018 (Brian Gailey).

“Life is short, whether you think it is or not,” Crebbin told the graduates. “It is but a vapor.”

Graduate Joe Tacchini recieves the Henley High School Faculty Cup. June 10, 2018 (Brian Gailey).

Henley High awards:

Mike Keck Memorial Scholarship award: Kyle Hadwick
Henley High School Faculty Cup: Joe Tacchini
Hayden Crebbin Palm Courage Award: Brandon “Boss” Clark

Principal Jack Lee also had a special message for the graduates. He spoke to the students about grit, which he defined as: the raw endurance, perseverance and passion that keeps you going despite obstacles.

“Grit is the key to success. Please remember that. You may not remember I was the one speaking, or I was the principal, but you might remember, something about that ‘grit’ word,” Lee said. “When the chips are down, guys, I want you succeed when you leave this school. Life is not real fair, who said it was? You need to be that class of 2018 that leaves Henley High School with a lot of grit.”