High School Seniors Look Back on Experiences Before Moving Forward

William Tennent High School seniors gathered at Log College Middle School Thursday evening for the second annual Night of Reflections.

The soon-to-be graduates processed into the auditorium with the instrumental version of Vitamin C’s “Graduation (Friends Forever).” Over the music were clips of students saying encouraging, and at times humorous, things that they believe in.

Some said they believed they could fly, others said they believe in following their dreams, and one individual said he believed that after June 18, they will be swept from his social media friendships.

Students and teachers alike worked together to make this night a special memory for the Class of 2011 to take with them as they move on from high school. While some graduates cannot wait to go, one senior said this is one of the many things he will hold close in years to come.

 “I started shedding tears in there, and I’m not the kind of guy who really sheds a lot of tears,” said Tyler Wensche, of  Southampton. “A lot of people are excited… really want to get out and just leave. In a way, I kind of do, and then, at the same moment, Black and White Night and all that, it’s a memory I’ll never forget. I’ll always cherish that for the rest of my life.”

 There were many things highlighted throughout the night which the students also cherish. In memoriam of classmates they have lost, the seniors put together a video-slideshow of their three friends.

 Zach Miller and Jesse Krop strummed an acoustic guitar to the tune of Vitamin C’s “Graduation (Friends Forever),” and listed things they will miss about their years walking through William Tennent’s halls.

Inside jokes about teachers’ or students’ antics and the current construction brought laughter and applause from the audience. The duo invited their classmates to join them in singing the chorus to the song at the end of their segment, which they did standing, swaying, clapping and with gusto.

 Along with student performances, speeches and the ceremonial “Passing the Legacy” from the seniors to juniors, teachers presented sentiments to the graduates. The faculty members were picked by the seniors to give advice. A few also recited some lines from the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling.

 The final lecture these teachers were able to give the seniors contained lessons to help the graduates along their paths to success. Bernie Miller told the group to remember where they came from, whether Southampton, Warminster or Ivyland.

 “These places shaped you,” he said.

 Michael Sander advised them not to miss any opportunities, to reach out and let others, especially their fellow classmates, know that they are appreciative of all that they have done for the other, no matter how great or small.

 Michael Swider told them to always be thankful, the road to success is never easy and to take nothing for granted.

 “Life, for better or for worse, takes you down different paths,” Swider said. “Always find the silver lining, even through the tough stuff.”

 The teachers of William Tennent High School have acted as mentors for their students, including Tyler Wensche. As a freshman, Wensche had a rough start. However, he found help through the faculty to steer him in the right direction.

 “I met mentors, teachers that helped me out and made me into the person I am now who is hard working and will do anything to strive for success,” Wensche said.

 Wensche was cut from the high school basketball team his freshman year, but under the guidance of his mentors, he worked to make the team his sophomore year and eventually became the varsity captain. He also became involved in BWTV, a broadcasting group, Black and White Night, student council and government, community service and three years of the school baseball team. He hopes to be involved in journalism-related organizations at Kutztown University in the fall. He also hopes to walk on to the college basketball team

 “I will find my place there and get involved, like the kind of kid I am,” Wensche said. “That’s how I’ll find my way.”

 The students of Tennent have found their ways through the support of one another. In his senior speech, Charles Davis pointed out that the class is comprised of loving and supportive young men and women. When one of their own lost a family member or a friend, classmates lent a consoling hand. When tough decisions had to be made, the seniors stood by each other through it all.

 This Night of Reflections was a night not of academic success, but of successfully growing, loving and maturing in a populous, but close knit environment.

 “This just started last year,” Wensche said. “But it’s a great tradition for the school.”