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Valedictory vindication
Gruber addresses class after fight for right to speak
By Patrick Connelly
Allied News Staff Writer
Living up to expectations can be a tough task, Grove City valedictorian Jordan Gruber told his classmates at Friday’s commencement.
It becomes even more difficult when you have to fight so hard just to have them, he said, citing his own battle with the high school’s administration just to give the traditional address as a prime example.
While it was without a doubt a challenge for Gruber to convince the school to give him the chance, the 18-year-old senior that will soon head to the U.S. Naval Academy passed on another.
“I challenge you to seek truths,” he told the class after reminding them just a few minutes before how their many talents have helped each of them make it this far in life.
And that shouldn’t stop, Gruber told them.
“I urge you to use (your talents) for good,” he said.
Through the ordeal of fighting for his right to speak, Gruber learned more than just a thing or two himself about seeking truths, he said.
The speech was eliminated as a part of the commencement ceremony before the 2008 event by former high school principal Joe Skibinski, Superintendent Robert Post said.
Though valedictory addresses are commonplace at practically all graduation proceedings, it was axed from the Grove City program to save time – the high school’s seen more students than any other in Mercer County receive diplomas the past few years.
But the call was also based on the content of past speeches, Post said.
Gruber took the issue to the school board and was even backed by Courtney Bright – the 2007 valedictorian, who was the last to be permitted to speak.
Before the school board could rule, the administration later reversed its veto, giving Gruber three minutes in front of the class.
But Gruber kept going after the truth, looking to find who had the change of heart.
Post explained at the board’s May 18 meeting Principal Rae Lin Howard has jurisdiction over all events in the building and came to an agreement with Vice Principal Dan Connelly to fit Gruber into the commencement agenda.
While only allowed three minutes, Gruber exceeded that limit by about 60 seconds at Friday’s ceremony and did not appear to be rushed off stage by the school’s staff.
Regardless of the tribulations, Gruber thanked the staff and faculty for giving him and other students a “wonderful experience” through their high school journey.
He also thanked the 98 seniors who signed a petition and the others who came to the school board meetings supporting his allowance to give a speech.
Gruber then reminisced about how the events of the past 18 years – like the Gulf War, the impeachment of President William Clinton; the massacres in 2007 at Virginia Tech and in 1999 at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo.; and the bombings of Sept. 11, 2001 – have shaped the students’ lives.
Without God’s guidance, persevering through such events would be impossible, he said.
The address was used to open the commencement before Grove City’s 205 graduates had their names announced.
“You did it, Class of 2009,” the valedictorian concluded.
Purchase a copy of this article at Allied News, 201A Erie St., Grove City. Published June 10, 2009.
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