Make an impact

SANDUSKY — Before Sandusky's graduates walked across the stage, Dan Rambler, the district's superintendent, reflected on the impact they had on him. On Sunday, 230 graduates received their diplomas from Sandusky Schools. After students took their seats on the track, Rambler told them he was proud of their accomplishments. "Graduates: You worked hard to overcome complex challenges, embraced opportunities for growth and emerged as resilient individuals prepared to embark on the next chapter of your lives," Rambler said. "I'm very excited to see all that you'll do as you move forward from this moment." Rambler said the students' lives are uncertain, but he does not doubt they have what it takes to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. "It's just the beginning of the next journey that is filled with great opportunities to achieve, succeed and impact on others." Rambler told the students they impacted him and everyone else in their lives daily by doing things for others. Ileana Sartor, class president, was the next to take the stand. She used her speaking time to thank those who had gotten her and her classmates to this milestone and reflected on moments the class shared through their time together. "We counted down the months, days, hours, minutes and seconds, and now that the day has finally come I'm still unsure if it's actually happening," Sartor said. "It seems like only yesterday we were watching the big kids walk by in their caps and gowns." Sartor said she and the other graduates may be nervous for their futures, but reminded them that it was acceptable to be scared. "I had to remind myself that it's OK to be afraid of what's to come after high school. It is okay to be unsure of who you are after schooling. It is okay to not know what the rest of your life might be like," Sartor said. The message Sartor was trying to send to her classmates by talking about the past and uncertain future was that they should live in the moment rather than fearing what has yet to happen. Sartor ended her speech by saying she was proud of her classmates and loved them all unconditionally. Before distributing diplomas, the high school principal, Eric Talbot, took the stage to acknowledge the awards the class earned. This included calling on students who were members of honor societies, enlisted into the military and were members of Great Lakes Visual and Performing Arts Academy. Sandusky High School Class of 2024 • 230 graduates — 40% going to college — 34% entering the workforce — 22% heading to trade school — 4% enlisting in the military • $310,000 accepted in scholarship money