Sending Off The Class of 2013
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ECOT teachers, administrators, staff members, and more said goodbye to the class of 2013 on June 9 at the school’s 13th annual commencement.
Thousands pooled into the Schottenstein Center in Columbus to watch the ceremony, which had a very different flavor from previous graduations. Unlike earlier years, students largely populated the stage. Whether they were introducing special presentations or speaking to the crowd, these graduates pulled it off with grace. Three ECOT students also performed two rousing musical performances. Their names are Mick Clouse, Evan West, and Chad Blashford, but many know them better as New Hollow. On top of energizing the crowd with a pre-ceremony concert, the trio also performed the National Anthem for the first time since Thanksgiving Day in 2010 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. Also taking the podium was Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O’Donnell, serving as this year’s commencement speaker. Throughout the entire event, students talked about saying goodbye to ECOT and taking on the next chapter of their lives. Jenna Scarbro, a graduating senior, said she initially came to ECOT to help her find balance between her studies and her medical struggles. “I have epilepsy and it was kind of hard to keep up with school, missing so much school with doctor appointments and having my seizure episodes and not making it to school the next day, so it was just easier to stay at home and do all my work,” she said. She remembered prom as one of the highlights of her time at ECOT. “I took my fiancé and it was like nothing I’d ever seen before,” she said. “It was big!” Before the ceremony officially got underway, she admitted to being nervous. “I’m scared. I have to walk up in front of all these people … it’s huge!” she said. “I’ve never been here before.” Another graduating student, Janna Andrews, didn’t believe her brick and mortar school was giving a solid education. “I wanted to try something different,” she said. She begged her mom to let her switch schools. “After my freshman year, she finally said ‘OK, let’s look into it.’ She found ECOT and then she enrolled me.” Andrews smiled, exuding excitement to graduate. “I’m thankful I’m here,” she said. “It’s been a long process and looking back over everything, just my whole life, it’s one of those closing chapters and I definitely have to give God the glory.” Kelsie Sacra also came to ECOT because she didn’t like her public school system. Additionally, the young woman didn’t feel like she connected or fit in with those other students. ECOT was a much better fit for her. She cited being “really nervous” as one of the main emotions running through her just prior to the beginning of the ceremony. “It’s all the people and just the fact
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