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Cameron High School Graduates 51 Members of Class of 2023

WHEELING -- Cameron High School's Class of 2023 bid their final farewell Friday during the school's 115th annual commencement ceremony held at WesBanco Arena, where 51 students were recognized for their four years of hard work.

Graduating seniors were joined by the Marshall County Board of Education, principal Wyatt O'Neil, assistant principal Rhonda Williams and school counselor Kelly Pettit.

The ceremony opened with a class prayer led by the class of 2023 president, Audrey Bock.

"We pray that we will all feel proud this day as we celebrate our accomplishments," she said to the assembled graduates. "May this be a memory that we carry with us as we embark on life's next great adventure."

O'Neil welcomed the guests in attendance before introducing board member Lori Kestner to address the graduating class. She encouraged students to extend their gratitude to their family and friends who stood by them throughout their schooling.

"The people who are behind you, that are sitting up there looking down on you, they want so much for you," Kestner said. "They have survived you as an infant, a toddler, that wonderful teenager, teaching you to drive, taking you to and from places all day and all night, and having conversations that were probably, at times, pretty heated."

"All of those people, including all of us, want you to be happy," she continued.

Kestner also reminded students to take pride in both their accomplishments and their background.

"When you leave here tonight, know that whatever you do, wherever your feet are planted, be very proud of yourself and where you are from," she said.

O'Neil followed, recognizing the senior class's accomplishments. One graduating senior made a commitment to the United States military. Many students will be joining the workforce fulfilling industry jobs like welding, auto repair, ironworking, coal mining, construction and more. Others will continue their schooling at two or four-year institutions. Cameron's graduating class earned $691,000 in scholarship money, he said.

Class valedictorian Gretchen Foster shared memories of her journey with her classmates.

"Have I ever told you that I used to be in special education?" she asked at the start of her speech. "It was a very critical step towards today, and I would not be here without it."

She recounted her experience and said her departure from special education was a turning point in her life.

"By third grade, Mrs. Phil was teaching me and one other student how to deal with a phone call for someone else, when that someone else was busy," she said. "I snapped and started to ignore her."

"She told me to leave, so I did and never came back," she continued. "I have never felt more liberated in my life."

In addition to Foster, Audrey Bock also graduated with high honors.

Each graduating senior wrote a personal statement that was read out loud as they took the stage to receive their diploma. It included their involvement in clubs, sports, and career technical education programs, as well as their plans for the future. Many students also opted to thank their friends, family, and stand-out teachers that helped them throughout their time at Cameron.

Each student was handed a single sunflower as they walked back to their seat after receiving their diploma.