Sunday, June 2, 2024
Graduates Encouraged to ‘See Past the Numbers that Define our Value in a Standardized Society’
ABOVE: The Shelbyville High School Class of 2024 and their family members and friends recite the Pledge of Allegiance prior to yesterday’s commencement ceremony. BELOW: Valedictorian Isabella Matney and Salutatorian Jacob Harker address the Class of 2024 at yesterday’s commencement. | photos by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
The Shelbyville High School Class of 2024 reminisced, offered gratitude and looked to overcome future obstacles by embracing challenges at yesterday’s commencement ceremony.
If the past is prologue, this cohort will be fine. Collectively, they received $3.3 million in scholarships, two-thirds of the class are entering higher education or military service and 44 percent wore medals in recognition of their Academic Honors or Technical Honors diplomas.
“These students have truly set the bar high for future classes at SHS,” Principal Amy Dawson said.
The program consisted of the Choral Department seniors singing “Shine” and senior Chloe Dillman’s “Square Root of Possible.” Members of the Class of 1974 in attendance were honored on their golden anniversary.
The proceedings also included two memorable speeches from Valedictorian Isabella Matney and Salutatorian Jacob Harker.
Harker, the son of Brian and Cherri Harker, thanked all school staff, “from (Superintendent) Dr. Vance to custodians,” for providing a positive environment. He also recalled the “many, many great memories, like storming the football field after that first win in what felt like decades” and a recent pie-in-the-teachers’-faces opportunity.
He mostly focused on the importance of navigating obstacles.
“While some are excited about the challenges of high school being over, do not forget: the challenges of life are just beginning,” Harker said.
He suggested facing head-on the realities of life. “Just as you cannot run from a test in school, you cannot run from a metaphorical test in life,” he said. “Instead, embrace it. Remember, you’re striving for something.”
Harker plans to attend Purdue University to study engineering.
Valedictorian Isabella Matney, the daughter of Angela and Dr. Stephen Matney, carried on the theme.
“All of you have a unique mosaic of trials and tribulations that you had to overcome in order to be seated here today,” Matney said. “Regardless of your experience, good or bad or somewhere in between, I hope you're able to grow from it, find some joy in it and create tools you can use for the rest of your life.”
Matney reminded classmates there is more to life than data, be it academic scores or social media counts. She encouraged them “to see past the numbers that define our value in a standardized society and understand that your place in the world is primarily determined by the experiences and roles you’re meant to play. Choose your own path, determine your own successes. Embrace your individuality and relish your uniqueness. Stop caring what others think and comparing yourself to perfect people on the internet.”
She told the class to broaden their perspectives over these first few years of adulthood.
Matney also thanked her teachers, friends and family.
“My parents never gave me any idea that I couldn't do whatever I wanted to do, or be whomever I wanted to be,” she said. “They filled our house with love and fun and books and music.”
Serious matters aside, Matney drew laughs when she said she would close with a Nicki Minaj quote: “Go to school, graduate, get your own, because when it's all said and done, people can say what they want about you, but they can’t take it from you.”
Matney plans to attend Indiana University to study biology.
Senior class officers were: Nadia Rodriguez, Senior Class President; Daniel Vazquez, Ella Connolly and Ella Johnson, Senior Class Representatives; and Isabella Matney, Student Council President.
NOTEBOOK:
NATIONAL NEWS: The average price of groceries jumped 25% over the past four years (outpacing regular inflation), but some brands have been lowering prices somewhat of late, although not to 2019 levels. Walgreens, which has been lowering prices since October, announced plans on Wednesday to discount 1,300 more seasonal, food, health and wellness, and personal care items. Target cut prices on 1,500 products this month—including store brands - and said it plans to mark down 3,500 more goods this summer. Walmart said this month that rollbacks (Wal-speak for temporary discounts) were up 45% this April compared to 2023, and that price reductions on 7,000 items helped the big-box chain increase its sales last quarter. (Morning Brew)
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This Day in Shelby County History
2014: Although Indiana’s unemployment rate continued to fall, other data was troubling, with median household, adjusted for inflation, 18 percent below what it had been in 1999. Hoosier economists said the issue was a focus on jobs rather than wages.
2004: Robert Rogers attended a large gathering in Washington D.C. of veterans who were soldiers at Normandy 60 years prior. The occasion was the dedication for the World War II Memorial. Rogers attended in memory of his father, Robert W. Rogers Sr., who had enlisted in the Army at Fort Benjamin Harrison at age 29 and saw combat in the Ardennes as part of the Battle of the Bulge, as well as in the Rhineland and Central Europe. His nickname in the Army had been “Buck.”
1994: Shelbyville police asked the 11 tenants who had lived above Bishopp True Value Hardware before the fire to contact them about retrieving items.
The city of Shelbyville received three bids to buy its 1964 fire truck, which they took under advisement. The truck had a 60-foot lift with a platform and a water gun. The Parks Department had used the truck to replace lights at the softball parks.
1984: About 65 city residents met at the Civic Center to discuss continual issues with the city’s water supply. The residents expressed a desire to push for tougher laws regulating hazardous waste in Indiana at the meeting, which was attended by State Rep. Stephen Moberly.
1974: The opening of Porter Pool continued to be delayed due to leaky pipes, which were over 40 years old.
Police Chief Robert Williams warned parents that their children needed to ride bicycles in the street while downtown. An elderly man had recently been knocked down by a bicycle on the downtown sidewalk.
1964: More than 3,000 Shelby County residents commuted to work in other counties, the local employment agency reported.
A & W Root Beer celebrated its 11th anniversary with free root beer all day. “Please remember your friends and let them have a chance for your parking space and a free root beer,” an ad read.
1954: The Shelbyville Board of Public Works heard facts of a case to dismiss a police officer because the officer’s license had been revoked. The officer said the BMV license examiner was “a personal enemy,” and the officer refused to take the test.
J.M. McKeand, Malcolm Clay, Ray Hinshaw, Michael Hinshaw, William Latshaw, Wayne Baker and Betty Ramey were named to the Parks Department staff for the summer.
1944: Dr. Victor Vollrath opened his physician’s office in the Methodist building offices formerly occupied by the late Dr. Walter McFadden.
Just over 100 graduated from Shelbyville High School. The guest speaker, Dr. Richmond, encouraged graduates to operate their future homes as units, and said the juvenile delinquency problem was caused by the home turning over its responsibilities to the schools.
1934: Athletic captains were awarded at a Shelbyville High School dinner. Recipients were Raymond Lackey, football; LeRoy Shaw, baseball; John Page, track; and Raymond Lackey, basketball. High school band chevrons for those who placed in the state contest were distributed to Jerry Pearson, Stanley Banker, Marsten Bass, Harold McCabe, Anita Deitzer and Frank Coers. Lyres were given to senior chorus members Virginia Richardson, Crystal Linville, Betty Hardin, Evelyn Keeling, Henrietta Small, Dorothy Munger and Evelyn Small. Chorus letters were distributed to Maverne Rhodes, Hildreth Howery, Mary Campbell, Mary Chafee, Leone Wendell and Joan Clark.
1924: The local farmers market on Public Square continued to grow with a number of wagons showing up each morning to sell goods, The Republican reported.
The child who had choked on a piece of cake (later reported to be graham cracker crumbs), died. The child’s name, initially misidentified in the newspapers, was Warren LaSalle Robinson, eight months of age. An operation was performed on the child, but the child then developed pneumonia and died.
1914: While Rev. and Mrs. E.T. Lewis were ministering in Blue Ridge, they were informed their St. Paul home was on fire. The Lewises rushed to the scene, and Mrs. Lewis was so anxious to get out of the car to help save items that she jumped from the auto before it had stopped, badly bruising herself. The incident followed another one a few weeks earlier in which Rev. Lewis lost the use of his right arm during a runaway accident. The Lewis’s son had also recently broken his arm.
Babe, the pony owned for many years by the Sexton family, died. Horatio Sexton recalled how he had ridden the pony on several long journeys, as far as to Logansport and into Ohio.
OBITUARIES
Owen Childres, Jr. passed away unexpectedly Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Florida. He was born on August 16, 1937 to Owen and Tressie (Fetter) Childres (deceased).
He was a graduate of Boggstown High School and served with the Indiana National Guard. He began his career with KCL Corporation, moving to Credit Thrift, then finishing his career spending 31 years with State Farm Insurance.
He married Karen L. (Heilman) Childres in 1960, who survives him. Also surviving are a son, David Childres and wife Robin of Shelbyville and their children Jacob and Megan, and a daughter, Cynthia Baden and husband Dave of Mechanicsville, Maryland, and their children Samuel and Emily, and a sister, Wilma Doup (David) of Columbus. He was preceded in death by a sister Dollie Higdon, and an infant sister Nancy Ann Childres.
He enjoyed 21 years of retirement, allowing him several trips to Walt Disney World. He loved playing his guitars and sharing his love of music with his grandchildren. His other passion was cars. He attended several car shows each year and enjoyed old and new cars.
A private service with family will be held at a later date. Services entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Owen’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.