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Schools

Hartland High School Class of 2011 Graduates

The Hartland High School Class of 2011 Commencements were held at Compuware Arena Thursday night.

 Editors Note: This story has been updated to identify Emmalie Quella and Justine Mixster wore bandannas for their friend Lisa Hearn who passed away in 2006, not Kendal Lividini.

 Compuware Arena was filled with laughter, hugging and silly antics Thursday night as Hartland High school seniors walked across the stage at their commencement ceremony.

Charles Hughes, Hartland High School principal, said that each year, he picks a word to represent the graduating class. For the Class of 2011, he chose "character".

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"As I worked with you, I walked the halls with you, I sat at lunch with you, I thought of that word quite often," he said.

Hughes went on to quote Booker T. Washington, "Character, not circumstances make the man."

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"How we do in those circumstances make you who you are today," Hughes said. "So often it is how we respond to situations and how we express ourselves that clearly define us as human beings. Character will define you as you continue on your journey through life. Jobs will be lost, friendship will be broken and happiness will be elusive to you without building character. Only you can build your character."

After reading 469 graduate names and presenting diplomas, Hughes told seniors that beginning Friday, they had his "official permission to call me Chuck."

Maureen Lunder is the proud parent of Hartland graduating senior Alex Lunder.

"I"m really proud of her," Lunder said. "She worked really hard the last four years, playing soccer and working two jobs."

Alex plans to attend Central Michigan University in the fall to study in the physician's assistant program.

Admist the joy of the traditional graduation ceremony as a rite of passage and the excitement of what comes next, was also some sadness.

Emmalie Quella and Justine Mixter each wore a bandanna around their right ankle to remember the friend they lost - Lisa Hearn.

Lisa died in June of 2006, after losing a three year long battle with hepatoblastoma, a type of liver cancer.

"After she lost her hair, she had bandannas in every color," Justine said. "These are hers. We asked her mom if we could wear them."

Justine grew up with Lisa, the girls were friends and neighbors.

"We wanted her close to our hearts and have her walk across the stage with us," Emmalie said.

Congratulations, Class of 2011.

If you know someone in the photos who is not identified, please send their name to n.m.krawcke@gmail.com.

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