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New Miami grad urges classmates to 'create new beginnings'

Graduates planning to continue their education all have scholarship, aid packages, official says.

Salutatorian Shane Morgan, left, and Valedictorian Marshal Webb stand after giving their speeches during New Miami's forty-ninth commencement ceremony Thursday, May 28, 2009, at New Miami High School.

Staff photo by Nick Graham Salutatorian Shane Morgan, left, and Valedictorian Marshal Webb stand after giving their speeches during New Miami's forty-ninth commencement ceremony Thursday, May 28, 2009, at New Miami High School.

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Photos: New Miami graduation

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By Linda Ebbing, Staff Writer Updated 12:01 AM Sunday, May 31, 2009

NEW MIAMI — All good things must come to an end, Marshal Webb told his classmates — the New Miami Class of 2009 — on Thursday, March 28.

“This is a pivot point where we must finally determine what to do with ourselves,” said Webb, class valedictorian. “Whatever path we choose to take in life, we know nothing will ever compare to the difficulty of biology finals.”

New Miami Local Schools allowed students to get what they wanted out of education, he said.

“Now all that we face is the true struggle of taking this education and applying it towards shaping our future,” Webb said. “What we have learned over our many years here forms the foundation of whatever skills we pick up and whatever education we pursue in the future.”

Quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson, class salutatorian Shane Morgan advised his classmates to “go where there is no path and leave a trail.”

“We need to be leaders in and out of our school,” Morgan said. “Don’t just go with the crowd, lead them to follow you. We have enjoyed our time here at New Miami, however, it is time for us to move on and start new lives, create new beginnings.”

Nineteen-year-old Jacob Brown said that even though he could not truly describe how he felt on the night of his high school graduation, he was “happy, excited and filled with joy.”

Brown will attend the College of Mount St. Joseph, where he has earned a full scholarship.

About 50 percent of the New Miami Class of 2009 is planning to attend colleges and universities, and all of those graduates have scholarships and financial aid packages, said Dianna Muennich, curriculum director.

“They are extraordinary ... they never quit.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2158 or lebbing@coxohio.com.

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