PREBLE COUNTY — Hundreds of students from Preble County’s five area school districts donned their caps and gowns and walked through commencement exercises in graduation ceremonies held over the past two weeks.

The Eaton High School commencement took place on Saturday, June 4, in Miami University’s Millett Hall in Oxford, closing out the 2022 graduations for Preble County high schools.

EHS Principal Scott Couch thanked everyone involved in making each school year a success. “Thank you to the custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, all things — maintenance, teachers — everyone who has a role in educating our students and getting them to this point. I’d also like to welcome friends, family of the graduates.”

“Parents, thanks,” he continued. “Thank you for your support over the past four years. It was late night trips, picking kids up from athletic contests at Bellbrook, or making the run to Walmart to get the supplies needed for that project that happened to sneak up on your senior. To the distinguished class of 2022. You are the reason we are here. Congratulations.”

According to Couch, the EHS Class of 2022 earned and accepted $2,789,746 in scholarships from colleges and universities. In addition to these amounts, students earned $67,700 through local scholarships.

Twin Valley South seniors graduated during a ceremony held in the school’s gymnasium on Thursday, May 26.

“A graduation ceremony is always such a special occasion,”Principal Derek Flatter told those in attendance. “The culmination of years of hard work, the actualization of goals attained, and the acknowledgment of successes achieved. So, it is only fitting that tonight we commemorate the road that we have all travelled together these last few years. It has been a journey that started with tentative steps, perhaps. But one that has taken us to remarkable heights. We have encountered some trials and tribulations, soldiered on, and come out stronger on the other side. Students have experienced exceptional moments, magical, and created memories that will hopefully be fondly remembered in years ahead.”

According to Flatter, the TVS Class of 2022 collected over $59,000 dollars in scholarships.

Tri- County North High School held its graduation at Salem Church of God on Thursday, May 26, as well. Superintendent Bill Derringer began the event by thanking all the people who supported the students along the way. Derringer continued in his address, “To our graduates that are seated in the middle tonight, we are proud of you. This is a special group of young men and women that we honor tonight. This class has set goals in the classroom, on the athletic field and in their personal lives, which are second to none. Tonight, we award them a high school diploma, which means that they have completed a rigorous course of study to prepare them for their future. What they have learned in school, combined with what they have learned at home, will arm them with the skills necessary for success.”

Both Preble Shawnee and National Trail’s classes of 2022 celebrated with commencement exercises on Friday, May 27.

Preble Shawnee’s commencement was held in the school’s gymnasium, due to inclement weather.

According to Superintendent Todd Bowling, the Preble Shawnee Class of 2022 earned a total of $418,509 dollars in scholarships. High school Principal Dianna Whitis welcomed those in attendance and addressed the students during the ceremony, and several class speakers shared words of wisdom for their fellow graduates.

“As we walk across the stage in a few moments, be proud of yourself for accomplishing all that you have throughout your life. Be proud of your grades, be proud of your failures, be proud of your athletic accomplishments, be proud of attaining a job before you even graduated. We are gathered here today, one last time, to remind ourselves of those achievements, and how they have gotten us to where we are today. One piece of advice I would like to give all of you before you leave here today, is something my dad has continued to tell me: ‘have, tough, skin,’” PSHS Valedictorian Carlyn George said.

NTHS Principal Michael Eyler welcomed those who attended the National Trail ceremony. “It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 54th commencement exercises. These students seated before you have worked for 13 years to reach another significant milestone in their lifelong journey,” he noted.

Eyler continued, “Seniors, class of 2022, I would like to describe our story — yours and mine — as serendipitous which means that it comes about by happy chance. Thirteen years ago, you started at National Trail and 13 years ago, so did I. And I was blessed to become your principal way back in eighth grade; to say that I am proud of you is an understatement. Thank you for the happy chance I’ve had to be your principal. I also want to thank you, because you’re currently part of a generation of students who have entered school, gone through school, and will graduate from school, during times of great change and perseverance.”

According to Eyler the NTHS class of 2022 has earned over $265,150 in scholarships. Forty of the 84 graduating seniors plan to continue their education at a two- or four-year post-secondary educational option, trade school, or apprenticeship program.

For complete coverage and photos from this year’s graduations, be sure to pick up the Wednesday, June 29, special graduation edition.