Schools

Ferndale High School Class of 2011 Graduates

212 seniors end four years of high school to begin their adult lives.

Some of the biggest smiles you've probably seen were on the stage when members of the graduating class of Ferndale High School received their diplomas Wednesday evening. It was big eyes, big smiles and big dreams at Meadow Brook.

Over the loud speaker, 212 names were called, 212 hands were shaken and 212 17- and 18-year-olds left four years of school behind them to transition to adulthood.

Some of them are leaving the state for school, some are staying, some are unsure of what they will do, others might have it figured out, but whatever way, they looked to the future Wednesday.

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I'm proud of him," Tangy Bowers said of her son . "Four long years, I'm glad it's over. Looking forward to him going to college."

for the Ferndale boys varsity basketball team. He said he'd be attending Macomb Community College and is looking to go to Oakland University afterward.

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For Jairen Lott, despite his familial connection to Ferndale -- his mother Kim was class of '75 and his sister Crystal Green was class of '99 -- didn't start at Ferndale High School. He attended three other schools before settling in as an Eagle.

"He had some transitions," his mother said. "But he came to ."

Jairen Lott said he wasn't too interested in going to school in Ferndale. "I didn't want to at first but now I love it," he said. "There has been so much opportunity here, more so than in other schools I would say."

Jairen Lott is deciding whether he wants to go to Oakland University or Michigan State for the performing arts. in  the production of and he had a roll in

"I'm glad I came to Ferndale High School," he said.

Senior 's mother Mary said she was not only proud, but also relived that high school is over.

"Michael had a very good run in high school. We're very proud of him and his musical accomplishments," Mary Western said.

in this school year's production of Oklahoma! He also appeared in  Pajama Game, Peter Pan and Guys and Dolls at Ferndale. He will attend Wayne State University in the fall as a vocal major.

Senior Katrina Davis was president of the art club at Ferndale High School. "I'm going to miss it," Davis said, who hopes to become an art teacher.

Her mother Tammy Davis said she is very proud of her daughter and the opportunity she had at Ferndale High School and . "She's a very talented artist," Tammy Davis said.

received a John F. Kennedy Award Wednesday night. This award is a $1,000 scholarship and is given to the boy and girl who best exemplifies the 2011 Ferndale High School graduating class. and scholarships. She was the theme speaker during graduation.

"Some people say, 'Oh, Ferndale,' or whatever. But the school has a special environment. Mr. Ivory (Ferndale Principal Herbert Ivory) knows all the kids; he talks to them, jokes with them. You can talk to the teachers, be friends with them, but they push you to succeed."

Stephanie Melnick, Natalie's mother, said Ferndale High School provides a launching point. "Diversity is the buzzword these days but it's true," she said. "I think our kids are more apt to deal with diversity in the future than kids whose high schools are all the same."

Stephanie Melnick also applauded the community in Ferndale. "The community support structure is a huge piece of being successful," she said. "Even though we are eight miles from (downtown) Detroit, Ferndale is like a small town."

received a John F. Kennedy Award. He will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall. He was the class host at graduation.

"The environment (at Ferndale High School) is very unique," said. "When your friends are in your class, it's fun, but when you like your teachers, it's easier to learn. When you like your administrators, your principals, it's even easier to learn. This creates an environment to learn and excel culturally, academically and socially.

"You have the opportunity to do whatever you want at Ferndale."

To view honors, awards and scholarships for other seniors who graduated this year, click .

Check back at Ferndale Patch for a photo gallery of the entire graduation (194 photos!).


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