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Posted on Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 5:52 a.m.

Community High School highlights individuality at class of 2012 graduation

By Danielle Arndt

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Even though just a handful of students were dressed in traditional caps and gowns, Community High School in Ann Arbor graduated about 112 seniors Tuesday night.

The graduation took place at 7 p.m. at the University of Michigan's Rackham Graduate School.

Seniors at Community can wear whatever they would like to the annual commencement ceremony, which truly is all about them — as individuals, as a class, as a high school family.

There were no honorary or class speakers, aside from CHS Dean Jennifer Hein and Superintendent Patricia Green. Instead each graduate was given his or her 30 seconds in the spotlight to give advice, to thank teachers and relatives or to share highlights from his or her high school experience.

Throughout the commencement ceremony the presentation of diplomas was broken up by musical, video and poetry presentations from students.

Graduate Jessica Maronen recited a poem called "This is OUR community,' while the final song, sang by fellow classmates Murphy Austin, KerryAnn Fingerle, Clare Laurer and Carly Paull-Baird, was a rendition of Lady GaGa’s “Born this Way.”

Photographer Jeffrey Smith captured these images.

Comments

MixedStock

Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 7:12 p.m.

Our son was one of the grads last night and I must say that even though the ceremony was three hours long, it was by far the best graduation ceremony I have ever attended. The kids' speeches were funny, profound, and often touching and the jazz band and other entertainment was outstanding. One could feel the "community" made up of all of these unique individuals. Bravo.

Woman in Ypsilanti

Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.

I have always loved the idea of letting each student speak a little bit and am glad to see that they have continued the tradition. My friends and I still laugh about how a full HALF of our class recited Frost's "The Road Not Taken". Talk about ironic :) Both because everyone seemed to misunderstand the poem and because as soon as everyone walks down the same road with you, it isn't the road less traveled.

grimmk

Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 3:37 p.m.

I'm so happy for all my now Community High Alumni! But man, I don't recognize any of the teachers! And I didn't know that Dean Judy left! I'm so out of the loop!

Stanthepotter

Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 2:05 p.m.

I love this school. I graduated from there 34years ago.

Linda Peck

Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 12:42 p.m.

Community High School is a gem and this can be seen in the beautiful faces of these graduates and their teachers!

Floyd

Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.

Beautiful!

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