It seemed oddly appropriate. While the Enterprise High School senior class of 2009 prepared to graduate Thursday night, Mother Nature threatened to disrupt the proceedings.
But as quickly as the rains came, they vanished and left what Gov. Bob Riley called a symbol of the school’s enduring spirit.
“I believe the students (who died in the Enterprise tornado on March 1, 2007) are a part of this service, and it’s evidenced by the beautiful rainbow overhead tonight,” Riley said in his commencement address at Bates Memorial Stadium.
This graduating class was the last to have called the old Enterprise High School building home and was forced to deal with a difficult transition period afterward.
Riley encouraged the graduating students to use their hardships as lessons when moving onto the next phase of their lives.
“We are the owners of our own destiny,” Riley said. “There are always bumps in the road, but it isn’t about how hard you fall, it’s how hard you can fall and keep standing up. Use what you have learned as a foundation. You will succeed based on your own strength of character.”
Since the tornado, Enterprise has seen its share of famous visitors, including Laura Bush at last year’s graduation.
But according to the students’ family members, Riley’s trip will hold a special place in their hearts.
“The students from last year’s class and this year’s class feel like the forgotten classes, because they don’t have the cohesiveness of having a traditional high school, so for someone of his stature to come and speak to them means a great deal to them and makes for a more special commencement,” said Rhonda
O’Steen, a Washington D.C. resident in town to see her granddaughter, Elizabeth Cornett, graduate.
The visit impressed members of the community as well.
“It shows what type of man he really is, that he cares enough to come down here,” said Kevin Kelley, an Enterprise resident. “This community’s been through a lot, and these kids have been through a lot. It means a whole lot that the governor would give his time and come down and encourage these kids as they move on.”
But according to the governor, the graduating class didn’t need his words of encouragement. Instead, he challenged them to look within themselves for the boldness needed to fulfill their dreams.
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