Shakamak Class of 2018 - Mogan sends off final batch of Laker grads

Saturday afternoon, the Shakamak community sent off 44 graduates for the Class of 2018; for Superintendent Mike Mogan, it would be the last group of grads he would have the privilege of sending off. Mogan leaves the Metropolitan School District of Shakamak after serving for nine years as superintendent and 43 years of experience in education. “I felt welcome the first day on the job and still have nothing but good things to say about Jasonville and the Shakamak community,” Mogan said. Mogan took the podium for the last time around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 26 in the Jr/Sr High School Gym. There was a heightened police presence at this year’s graduation, wrote Jasonville Police Chief Jim Gadberry on Facebook earlier, to ensure everyone’s safety following the shooting at Noblesville West Middle School and other recent events. After Mogan welcomed the crowd and began the procession, class sponsors Jon and Kelley Miller helped cue the grads in pairs of two to their chairs while the High School Concert Band played. Senior Class Vice President Braydon Scank led the Pledge of Allegiance and Senior Class President Aryanna “Ary” Watters welcomed the crowd and Madison Phillips led everyone in prayer. Salutatorian Benjamin Waggoner revealed in his speech that at the beginning of the school year, he turned his agenda into a quote book to help him better remember his senior year. Waggoner said those quotes helped him retain perspective on how much his fellow classmates cared for him and supported him, and said they all influenced him in small ways by being in his life. “If we can influence someone, some way, then we are making a difference,” said Waggoner. Valedictorian Elesa McDonald talked about the importance of choices and used Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken as an example. Band Director Jeff Colvin led the band in its rendition of the Class of 2018’s class song, “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World and Choral Director Amy Wise led the Senior Choir in “A Million Dreams”. Finally, Mogan, High School Principal Dennis Moody and Assistant Principal Brent Anderson presented the grads with their diploma--and once all had returned to their seats, the grads were invited to turn their tassels. Instead of throwing their caps into the air, Shakamak grads continued their own tradition with a festive deluge of confetti and silly string.