(Photo by Kris Todd) 2008 Central Academy graduate Latasha Jackson proudly displayed her signed diploma following Thursday evening's graduation ceremony held in the Spencer central administrative offices. [Order this photo]

Seventeen Central Academy students observed a life accomplishment during a graduation celebration which took place Thursday evening in the Spencer school district's central administrative offices.

Central Academy Instructor Anne Roberts opened the evening's proceedings with the story of a pancreatic cancer survivor who had been given six months to live, but recently marked his ninth month battling the disease.

"I would encourage you to take risks and go after what you want," Roberts told the graduating seniors.

She also challenged them to not be identified by their perceived labels.

"Take risks and show people who you really are," Roberts encouraged. "...You are all unique and enjoyable individuals."

Their teacher also asked the graduates to have persistence and not give up.

"If you want something, be prepared to work for it," Roberts told them. "...Don't complain -- just work harder."

As fellow Central Academy Instructor Brian Webb took to the podium to address those gathered, he offered Jeff Bezos, who started an online store in 1994, as an example. Today his creation, Amazon.com, is worth over $12 billion, Webb told the soon-to-be newly-minted graduates. The teacher suggested he cited Bezos as an example of "great thinking" and as a person who "continued to follow his dreams" no matter what.

(Photo by Kris Todd) 2008 Central Academy graduate Jordan Boyd receiving his diploma from Superintendent Greg Ebeling as teacher Brian Webb looks on, waiting to congratulate him. [Order this photo]

Webb encouraged the students to use their abilities to help others in the future, as well as their talents to inspire others. He also hinted that happiness comes due to "the people you surround yourself with, not material goods."

Their instructor then told them that everyone faces barriers throughout life.

"The person who will succeed has the proper attitude and the desire to not quit," Webb said.

As he advised them to be individuals with character, strong morals and values, Webb also urged the Central Academy graduates to conduct themselves in a manner that they would be proud of.

Following a PowerPoint presentation featuring photographs and future plans of each of the graduates, Principal Joe Mueting congratulated the young men and women, their parents, friends and family members. As he deemed Thursday and their accomplishment a "huge day in your life," Mueting told the Central Academy seniors, "I really believe that every diploma you get is just opening another door for you. And those doors keep getting wider and wider the further along you go. What you've done is you've taken advantage of an opportunity."

He continued, "Spencer School District has a rare opportunity for students with its Central Academy. Having been in education for a long time, I haven't seen the likes of it anywhere; and you have taken advantage of this to better yourself. ... Congratulations!"

Next, Bill Glienke, a former Spencer home-school liaison and the evening's keynote speaker, spoke about "the road less traveled."

"Not everybody takes an easy path in life. But sometimes through strife and difficulties, that becomes our mechanism that we become successful," Glienke said.

As Glienke shared examples of two local individuals who had experienced difficulties and come out on the better end, he cited words such as "sacrifice, thinking of others, learning not to be selfish, honesty and perseverance."

"A lot of us are born into circumstances we can't control. Believing and changing our predetermined destiny -- generationally and environmentally -- can be overwhelmingly difficult. You have no road map to follow sometimes," Glienke said. "... Surround yourself with positive people. ... And have integrity; do what is right."

As he noted life throws difficulties at people all the time, Glienke read from a piece of paper he'd carried in his pocket for 30 years: "In order to realize the worth of the anchor, you must feel the stress of the storm."

"I think that's very important," Glienke said. "It's important to know that when we have strife and difficulties in our lives, with hope we can overcome those.

"I know you guys have worked hard here. I know this is not an easy program to graduate from. I've been around it enough to know that the people who make it through here have really overcome some difficulties in their lives. So, take that and recognize what you've done. You've been really successful. Use that. When times are tough, tell yourselves that you can do it and you will."

Following Glienke's address, graduates Crystal Townsend, Latasha Jackson, Wes Lloyd, Ashley Abbott and Austin Bartley offered their personal stories. Each thanked those "who never gave up" on them.

"My diploma today means everything," Jackson told her peers and those gathered.

Superintendent Greg Ebeling then looked at the 2008 Central Academy seniors -- Ashley Abbott, Austin Bartley, Jordan Boyd, Tom Carney, Anastasia Eagle, Caleb Garza, Montana Garza, Chelsea Hale, Kyle Hansen, Paul Hornby, Carshena "Sissy" Hubbard, Latasha Jackson, Wes Lloyd, Cory Peters, Crystal Townsend, Jasmine Withers and Nathan Woolery -- and said, "It is my distinct honor and pleasure to (say) to you that you have successfully completed the requirements of the state of Iowa and of the school district. Therefore, it is by the authority of the school board that I declare each of you official graduates of the high school."

Class Colors:

Purple and Silver

Class Motto:

"The past cannot be changed, but the future is whatever you want it to be."