(La Porte, IN) - Graduation ceremonies are being held throughout the listening area.

 

South Central High School had its ceremony on Sunday night, while New Buffalo High School had its commencement Saturday night.

 

La Porte High School graduates received their diplomas Thursday night at Kiwanis Field.

 

The LPHS salutatorian was Alondra Pedraza Negrete, a first-generation Hispanic resident of the country who thanked her parents in Spanish for their sacrifices to give her opportunities they never had. Negrete said her family is an example of the success people can achieve through hard work.

 

"I not only represent my family and the Hispanic community but also the people who have come from poverty to prove that we are able to achieve high standing no matter where we came from or who we are. There are no limits on how far you can go in life. The only limit is yourself and how much work you are willing to put forth in what you want to achieve," Negrete said.

 

Negrete plans to study nursing and play soccer at Ancilla University.

 

The Class of 2022 valedictorian was Nicholas Shuble. He said the changes in life each graduate faces would be significant, but change is something that has to be accepted to attain success.

 

"While it is scary, it is something worth getting used to. As Benjamin Franklin once said, 'change is the only constant in life,'" Shuble said.

 

More than 400 students received their diplomas.