The 10 graduates of Meridian School were urged at commencement exercises in the Provo Tabernacle on Friday to use their dreams as yardsticks to measure their days.
This year's graduates were heralded for their individual and group effort to seek for knowledge by teachers, family and friends who gathered for the event.Bonnie Ballif-Spanvill, professor of psychology at Brigham Young University, offered Meridian's commencement address to what she called a "wonderful collection of exceptions."
She said, "You must dream. ever forget to dream, for without dreams, we become robotic. . . . Never let your dream come true, but use it as a yardstick to measure each day."
Ballif-Spanvill also urged students to build tenderness and confidence into their dreams so they can be happy and make the world a better place.
Meridian's Upper School Women's Chorus sang "Song for the Mira," and the Upper School Strings performed Elliot Delborgo's "Santasia for Strings."
Brandon Bennett, a Meridian teacher who has worked with the graduates for four years, gave his personal estimation of each graduate's qualities and scholastic achievement.
The valedictorian address was given by Lorry Perry. Perry, who started at Meridian in the fifth grade, called the private school "a magical place" to get an education.
"In being forced to limit myself . . . the limit was taken off my mind. At this time, I guess it is time for us to let go of the limits. At some point the infinite is flashed before us, urging us to continue.
"We shouldn't limit our intellectual adventure to the classroom. Learn with no end in sight."
Headmaster Kevin Clyde reminded students of the school logo: "There shall always be possibilities."
Several students were given departmental awards in recognition of their outstanding achievement while attending Meridian School.
To conclude the graduation ceremony, the Advance Chorus performed a musical rendition of the prayer of St. Francis.