Bessemer graduates implored to 'Go and do'

BESSEMER - The A.D. Johnston High School class of 2018 said farewell to high school and hello to the next step in their lives on Friday evening in Bessemer.

Megan Peterson, in her senior class farewell speech to her fellow graduates, closed with familiar words the Bessemer faithful, "Always remember, 'Go Speedboys and Go Speedgirls."

TJ Mazurek, Serenity Plochocki and Alejandro Martinez ushered in the evening's presentation with the Pledge of Allegiance.

All three, according to Dave Wineburner, principal, are heading into military service this summer, so it was only fitting they led the gymnasium in the pledge.

Wineburner, who is moving from principal into the superintendent position at Bessemer soon, informed the crowd as it was his only Bessemer graduation as principal and he could say without reservation it was his best class ever, which drew plenty of laughs.

Wineburner took a photo of the graduates from the stage, before jumping down to the floor with selfie stick in hand to take a selfie with the graduates.

Wineburner's closing remarks to the 27 graduates was not to have regrets as they get older. Too many times, Wineburner explained, he has heard older people begin conversations with the words, "I wish ..."

So, Wineburner urged the graduates to, "not wish. I want you to go and do."