74 graduate from Twin Valley South

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HAMILTON — With one of the first Preble County senior classes to graduate for 2016, Twin Valley Community Local School District’s 52nd annual commencement was held Thursday, May 26, at Princeton Pike Church of God in Hamilton.

Some 74 graduates received their diplomas. Scholarships awarded to the class totaled $161,450.

“Friends, family and parents you all have been an instrumental part to our high school success and we would not be here on this stage if it were not for all of you. So, thank you,” J.J. Utz, senior class president, said during his welcoming remarks.

Parents, teachers and friends topped the themes of this year’s class speakers’ presentations.

Jacob Bassler, co-valedictorian, noted, “The most valuable piece of advice ever given to me in high school came from my dad. He always would tell me ‘if you ever feel like complaining Jacob, I’ll switch places with you in a heartbeat. You can dress up and sit at work all day and I’ll go to class and play sports.’

“Every time I heard him say that, whether it was the first, the second or even the 20th, I was reminded to make the most out of my time in high school. And let me tell you, I don’t have to leave TVS to appreciate what is certain to be one of the greatest chapters of my life.

Bassler said of the educators at South: “I’m standing behind this podium because of the help of so many teachers. I’d like to say thank you for all of your tireless efforts and support you gave me over the years.”

He added, “Without my family I wouldn’t be the person I am today and I would like to take the time to express my gratitude. Whenever I needed support they were there to lend a hand and keep me on the right track.”

Co-Valedictorian Gabrielle Cooper spoke of the 13-year journey to become a graduate of TVS:

“These past four years have been a journey for each and everyone of us. We’ve all worked very hard to get to where we are today and we have many people to thank for that. As a class, we entered these halls together. Stood up for each other. Fought with each other, became close in a way only classmates can and tonight we become alumni together.”

She too spoke of the staff who helped the students make it to their special day. “We have all been so lucky to attend high school where the teachers demanded excellence from us whether we wanted to get it or not. You set the bar high and challenged us to live up to it. Looking back, what stands out is that we have been fortunate to be surrounded by people that truly care.”

“As an underclassman, I never understood why seniors said they couldn’t believe they were graduating. I thought of course we would graduate. Naturally, we would get older and progress through high school,” Cooper said. “Sadly, now I understand what they mean. This past month I had to come to the realization that we all would be turning the page in our lives to a new chapter. Not that I want to stay in high school, but it’s hard thinking that the people I have come to care about for 13 years will go our separate ways after tonight — on to whatever is next.

“Turning this page in the books of our lives feels a little painful, which I why I would like to offer my advice: ‘Sometimes you have to say it is what is, and go with it.’ Life can throw a lot at you and undoubtedly will. But hopefully not more than any of us can handle and that’s okay — because the race is long and in the end the race is only with yourself.”

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad1.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad2.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad3.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad4.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad5.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad6.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad7.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad8.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad9.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad10.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad11.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad12.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad13.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad14.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad15.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad16.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad17.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad18.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad19.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad20.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad21.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad22.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad23.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad24.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad25.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad26.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad27.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad28.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

Twin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_tvsgrad29.jpgTwin Valley South High School faculty and Twin Valley Community Local Schools administrators bid farewell to the Class of 2016 during commencement exercises held in Hamilton on Thursday, May 26. Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

[email protected]

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4056 or on Twitter @emowen_RH.

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