Senior Class President Leah Ervin says when she thinks of her life she thinks of a puzzle.

Ervin said the puzzle of her life is currently full of Junction City High School and her classmates. While that puzzle includes pieces that have broken her heart, the pieces comprising her high school experience seem to outweigh everything. “You all have picked me up when I was down, made me laugh when I felt it was impossible and encouraged me to no end. You all are the reason that I still have hope for what it is yet come, and you all are the reason that I’d like to see the completion of my puzzle.”

Ervin spoke during commencement at Junction City High School Saturday night. She told her classmates the pieces come in all shapes and sizes, some of the pieces in their puzzle will be lost and others will be broken but some “will seemingly be perfect.” Ervin added their puzzles have a lifetime of pieces to be added, removed, shifted and changed. ” but the ultimate picture can be whatever you want.”

Other speakers included fellow senior class member Xavier Cason, government and psychology teacher Reina Cruz, and Board of Education President Tom Brungardt. Associate Superintendent of Schools Dr. Beth Hudson presented the class, and members of the Board of Education presented diplomas to the students as they crossed the commencement stage.

The ceremony had to be moved indoors to the Shenk Gym due to the threat of severe weather that existed on Saturday. The overflow audience in attendance for commencement at JCHS was seated in the Settles Auditorium where they were able to view the ceremony on a big screen.

The Class of 2018 has now earned more than $1.4 million in scholarships.