TERRE HAUTE —
Amber Quintane admits she didn’t have the greatest motivation or attitude when she began attending McLean High School her freshman year.
But her baby, Caityn, now 13 months old, turned her life around.
“Once I found out I was pregnant, everything changed,” Quintane said. “I started getting straight A’s and I was glad to be at school because it was for a good cause — my daughter.”
On Friday night, Quintane graduated from McLean and is now making plans to attend Ivy Tech Community College, where she hopes to study respiratory therapy.
Her long-term dream is to become a pastry chef and own her own business.
Quintane’s hard work and positive attitude earned her special recognition during the ceremony. She won the first-ever John V. Orr scholarship, which goes to one Vigo County School Corp. graduating senior.
To earn the award, a student must be in the upper 10 percent of his or her graduating class; show strong character and leadership; and have outstanding attendance. Herff Jones donated a $500 scholarship.
Quintane joined 40 other students in crossing the stage during commencement, conducted in the Terre Haute South Vigo High School auditorium. A total of 49 students graduated, but not all attended. Fourteen received a Core 40 diploma.
Principal Rick Stevens told students, “You have come to McLean through many, many different paths, but all of you are here tonight due to your perseverance, integrity and compassion for life.”
He referred to a recent speaker at the school who told students, “It doesn’t matter where you start, but it does matter where you finish.”
Stevens told the graduates, “Tonight, you have finished strong and possess the skill set to pursue your dreams and be successful in life.”
One student speaker said high school wasn’t easy for her, but the McLean family helped her believe in herself educationally. “Any time if I needed an extra push, they were there,” she said. She said she’ll always be proud to call herself a McLean graduate.
Speaker Ken Schuster, who is McLean’s outreach worker, said the school “is all about giving second chances.”
He told graduates to stay focused, prioritize family, treat others as they want to be treated and to “keep dreaming” as they move into the next phase of their lives.
The school also honored the memory of Katelyn Gallagher, a McLean student who died as the result of a car accident last fall. Her grandmother was there to accept a diploma on her behalf.
Among those celebrating graduation after the ceremony was Derick Land, who has attended McLean for three years. He said he felt “pretty good” to be graduating. “I never thought I would.” McLean staff and family helped motivate him, he said.
He hopes to continue his schooling at Ohio Tech and go into racing or a related field.
Other award winners are as follows:
McLean Career Technology award — Harlie Bonine.
State Farm Insurance scholarship — Jordan Tipton.
Breakfast Optimist Club — Ashley Whitesides.
Indiana Blood Center scholarship — Diamond Riley.
Energy Systems Group scholarship — Diamond Riley.
Riley sang the “Star-Spangled Banner” to begin the commencement program, which drew wide applause.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
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Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter Award: McLean High School graduate Amber Lynn Quintane received the John Orr Scholarship during commencement.
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Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter Commencement thoughts: McLean teacher of the year Ken Schuster reflects on the past school year with graduating seniors of the alternative school Friday evening.
Discussion
McLean High School Commencement
'You have finished strong,' grads told
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