Eighteen Westview School students entered Westview gymnasium on Thursday as eighth graders and left as graduates, heading for high school in either Neosho or Seneca.

After an introduction from Westview Superintendent/Principal Jan Cox and an awards presentation, Martina Wilson gave her salutation address.

“This is a very important and special time for all of us,” Wilson said addressing the audience. “We’ve all had a very interesting time together, and I hope that as we each go our separate ways, we never forget each other.”

Through the years, there has been some special times for the eighth grade graduates.

“We will always remember the special times we’ve had together as a class,” Wilson said. “We’ll never think of Silver Dollar City without remembering all the fun that we had there together.”

Wilson also thanked her teachers from elementary to middle school and even Cox.

“I would like to thank Mrs. Cox for making sure our school is a good place to learn,” added Wilson. “I would also like to thank my parents, without all their love and support, I wouldn’t be standing here tonight.”

But there was one person that could not be there Thursday night with her: her brother.

“I would like to give a special thank you to my brother, I know that even though he’s not here tonight physically, he’s watching over me,” said Wilson. “He taught me to be strong and to never give up.”

After her ending remarks, it was Westview valedictorian Pollyanna Paul’s turn.

“During my time here, I have made many friends that I will miss greatly,” Paul said. “As the years have gone by, we have become a big family. We’ve made many fond memories together that no one will ever be able to take away.”

Crediting the teachers, Paul said it was time to go on.

“Thank you teachers for the foundation that you have given me,” Paul said. “Because of their hard work and dedication to us, we are all now ready to move on to our next step in life – high school. Like the eagle that raises its young until it is time for them to fly on their own, the teachers have prepared us fully for our chance to spread our wings and fly off into the next step in our life.”

With all of her class and the audience listening, her final comments involved congratulations.

“You are wonderful friends and I hope that each of you fulfills all of your hopes and dreams,” said Paul. “This may be the end of one journey, but it is the start of a new adventure for all of us where we will have endless opportunities to make a difference.”

After recognizing the class of 2008, the class threw their hats into the air and walked out as graduates.

“I am pretty excited about graduation,” Whitney Gray said, who will be attending Neosho High School. “I will treasure everything from Westview.”