NEWS

River View students ready for the next chapter

Cameron Teague Robinson

WARSAW –

Don Rushing Stadium was full of cheering men and women Sunday evening for the 157 River View high school graduates at the 50th annual commencement ceremony.

Dawn King and her husband Gail shake hands with River View faculty after receiving their daughter’s diploma. Jessica Sivik died in a crash on May 11.

They cheered for the accomplishments of the graduating seniors and in honor of a classmate no longer with them.

Those in the stadium rose to their feet and applauded as the name of Jessica Sivik was called and as her parents, Dawn and Gail King received flowers and Jessica's diploma. Jessica, a member of River View's class of 2015, died in a car crash on May 11.

"We have nothing but pride," Dawn said. "(Jessica's) entire time at River View has been so wonderful ... she really made so many friends."

"I don't have enough good things to say about River View High School," Gail added.

Two graduating seniors, Jacob Eick and Heather Maxwell, also spoke during the commencement.

"Today is about more than just receiving a piece of paper, it is a celebration," Eick said. "We are celebrating the final time that the class of 2015 will be together, unified, before being released into the real world." Eick will major in chemical engineering at The Ohio State University.

River View Class of 2015 celebrates by tossing mortarboards in the air and spraying silly string after forming the traditional RV on the field following the 50th commencement ceremony Sunday evening.

Maxwell, who will attend Muskingum College where she will play soccer while majoring in physical therapy, said, "The reality is, that it is our time to go out and make something of ourselves."

Class president Kennedy Webb said it is a bittersweet feeling to leave.

"River View is one of the greatest school districts in Ohio, and I absolutely love it, and can't say enough about it," she said. "But at the same time we are ready for the next chapter in our lives."

cteaguerob@gannett.com

740-295-3442

Twitter: @cj_teague

River View graduating senior Mackenzie Holbrook celebrates after receiving her diploma by giving a peace sign to family and friends in the bleachers during the 50th commencement ceremony Sunday evening.