New Bern High grads have memories to cherish

New Bern High's salutatorian said her classmates would all have unique graduation experiences Saturday.

After Alicia Woock gave a speech for being the No. 2 student in the school's Class of 2008, she and the other 400 graduates had different ways of celebrating their achievement as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.

Donyelle Bolds and Abe Joseph Brown III raised their diplomas in the air and pumped their fists. People in the crowd squeezed the bulbs on air horns for Meagan Bivans and Ember Boehme.

Rob Howell blew a kiss into the crowd, Angela Lozowski waved and Ogi Poluga shook hands with and hugged a New Bern police officer who was standing beside the stage. Alicia Woock just smiled as she walked down the steps.

"We can define our four years at New Bern High School as a myriad of experiences," Woock said. "Today, we are not celebrating an ending. We are celebrating the beginnings of our life away from the safety of teachers and friends. You don't have to think New Bern High School is the greatest place in the world, but remember it was a home for four years."

Drew Simel, the valedictorian, told his classmates that the school's faculty taught them well. He thanked administrators for administering, teachers for teaching and parents for parenting.

"We will all figure it out," Simel said. "We will find a way. ... I just want to say you guys look hot, and it's not just because you're wearing black robes and it feels like it's 100 degrees here."

Sweat glistened on the heads of many of the people who gathered in Caruso-Coates Stadium for the ceremony. Many of the people bought bottled water from the concession stand.

Some fanned their faces with programs. Others carried open umbrellas to shade the sun. Many women wore sundresses.

Leigh Ann Everett and Allyne Salvador led the school chorus in singing "It's Time to Say Goodbye." Some graduates and teachers wiped away tears.

It took assistant principals about 40 minutes to call out the names of the 401 graduates. After the last, Jenna Marie Zschoche, walked across the stage, Superintendent Bill Rivenbark told the graduates to move their tassels from right to left.

They responded by throwing their caps in the air. As Rivenbark walked away from the podium, Drew Simel's cap barely missed his head. Rivenbark smiled. Graduates picked up their caps before walking out of the stadium.

Andrew Perez Roman said he was happy to be out of high school. He said he plans to go to college or join the military.

"Either way, I'll take memories away from today," Roman said. "That's something every one of us should cherish."

New Bern High School

Mascot: bear

Colors: red and black

Number of graduates: 401

• 83 were honors graduates, which means they had a 3.63 GPA or higher
• 72 were members of the National Honor Society
• 40 were North Carolina scholars

Valedictorian: Drew Simel

Salutatorian: Alicia Woock

Distinguished graduates: Thomas Powell Osteen and Alicia Eileen Woock had a grade of 93 or higher in all high school classes.

Scholarships: More than 60 graduates have received money for college, Principal Stuart Blount said.