The Bridge Senior Edition May 12, 2016 Final words from the class of 2016

Nati Alemu: EKU Jordan Cochran: EKU Austin Gatza: Gap Program

“Don't let your past affect your future” “Don’t give up, focus and keep your priorities “To accomplish great things we must not straight” only act but also dream, not only plan but Redeat Amare: also believe.” Travis Combs: Jared Geremew: BCTC “It’s not what lies behind us or before us but what lies within us.” Kay Cooper: “A person must be willing to go forward Alex Assa: University of the Cumberlands alone” “Ahhh” “If you don’t fight for what you want, don’t Eric Grant: Jamark Cox: University of Houston cry for what you lost” “I don’t even go here.” “Life isn’t about how many breaths you take, Kaleab Atnafie: EKU it’s about the moments that take your breath Chinonso Ibe: Alice Lloyd College “Wisdom is knowing what path to take next; away.” “Let go and let God” integrity is talking it” Bereket Degefa: EKU Sean Jackson: Sullivan University Tyler Bishop: EKU Manchester “Believe in yourself” “True friends last forever.” “Don’t ride a roller coaster with Mrs. Meti Deyasa: University of Arkansas Yonni Kebede: Undecided Barnes.” “Whatever you do, don’t give up, even “Same thing just different day.” Kaleab Bitew: BCTC though it’s hard” Madi Kehler: EKU “This is only the beginning” Autumn Dollarhide: Morehead State University "Life is a movie but will never be a sequel" Ashley Booher: University of Pikeville “I’m not becoming a veterinarian because I Sam Kelsey: Getting a job “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it like animals, it’s because I want to get away happened” from people” “Even though I have only been here for two years, it’s been the best two years of my life” Talina Brown: Undecided Autumn Dunzweiler: Southern Advent- ist University Stanley King: Alice Lloyd College “Work hard, play hard” “Don’t count the days, make the days “Bring Mrs. Barnes chocolate.” Bryce Carroll: Internship in HVAC count!” Everett Kirkman: Bryan College Benson Chan: Purdue College Tobi Ebgonwon: Columbia University “You are who God wants you to be not who “Complete the challenge and you will be- “Hold your own hand.” others try to confined you to be” come successful” Daniel Fonseca: Undedcided

Jung Choi: College "For those with a strong mind, the impossi- ble is a question of opinion" “I don’t want a perfect life, I want a happy life” The Bridge 2 Senior Edition

Kiley Lyons: Plans to go college and be- Simon Robinson: College undecided come a nurse. "One thing you should know is that there will always be rabbits in a hole, yellow “Do your homework!” pudding on Wednesdays and leaves fall off trees when they're sad." Caleb Lamp: University of Chicago Amelia Smith: Undecided “This is one small step in the walk of life “ "Being normal is boring" Robbie Legese: EKU Maria Stamatis: BCTC

“Small beginnings, great journey “ "If you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep Deborah Mboma: BCTC moving forward." “Lit lit” Trey Stout: BCTC "The art behind, defines your personality" Nathaniel Miller: Asbury University Nick Switzer: Morehead StatePhoto courtesy of OBI Publications “Life with God is not immunity from diffi- culties, but peace in difficulties” C.S. Lewis "I'm out" Jarmaine Wally: Flinders University Dagmawi Negesse: EKU “If you stand for nothing, you will fall for “Stay strong” anything.” Olivia Nelson: Alice Lloyd College William Yang: University of

Psalm 46:5 “ God is within her, she will not “I don’t speak English” fail.” Noble Zika: Western Tammy Ogunkale: Undecided but plans to go into architecture "Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard." “The tassel is worth the hassle” Grant Zika: Sharon Ogunyemi: BCTC "It would take a nation of millions to hold “Hard work pays off” me back” Dami Olowoye: Western Kentucky "Don’t wait for the perfect moment, make the moment perfect."

Tyler Parr: EKU

“Never let the things of this world bring you down”

Wintley Raim: Las Seirra University

“It always seems impossible until it’s done”

Alex Reed: EKU “Two paths diverged in a wood, I took the one less traveled and that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost

Richard Reyatijiang: University of Ken- tucky

“Work hard to get better” The Bridge 3 Senior Edition

Meet three members of 2016 who have attended OBI the longest

Ashley Booher

by Posi Asaolu

Ashley Booher came to OBI seven years ago from Phoenix, Arizona. She located OBI through the inter- net. She says her favorite memory is 2015-2016 blue and white game. She has participated in basketball, soccer, softball, tennis, FCA, Girls’ Dorm Devotions, FFA, and BCM. She has been greatly influenced by her coaches and is sad to leave them but is excited to move on into her next chapter of life. Eric Grant

by Mianna Baker

Eric Grant arrived at OBI for the first time on March 8, 1998— his birthday. He has lived in Oneida for 18 years. He is graduat- ing this year, and he says that he’s “so shocked.” One person that has had an impact on Eric’s life is Mr. Darwood Santmier. His favorite thing about OBI is the diversity. When asked what he’ll miss most about OBI when he leaves he said, “The whole place.” Jordan Cochran

by Aisha Biyo

Jordan Cochran is one of the few members of the class of 2016 that graduated at Oneida. While being here, he partici- pated in Track, Cross Country, Choir, Ensemble, Swimming, Tennis, and Drama. His favorite thing about Oneida is no cuts of the sports teams. “I’ve been able to participate in sports teams that I never would have anywhere else. I like that I’ve had more opportunities in high school,” he explained. He also shares what he’s going to miss the most, saying his underclassmen friends as well as new programs and facilities coming to the school. “I’d like to see the inside of the new boys’ dorm when it’s finished.”

Some advice that Jordan has for people who have been at Oneida and are planning to graduate here is to keep your priorities straight. “Focus on school and God and you’ll succeed. If you don’t focus on those two things then you won’t succeed.” He plans on graduating and attending college at Eastern Ken- tucky University. The Bridge Staff Spencer Montgomery- Kirsten Frazier Editor-in-Chief Talia Geerlings Aisha Biyo - Assistant Edi- Mrs. Noel tor Cordle~adviser Ola Onitiri - Sports Editor

Posi Asaolu

Photo courtesy of OBI Publications Mianna Baker

The Bridge 4 Senior Edition

A Letter to...the class of 2016 Dear Seniors, Wow. I can't believe it's finally happening. You guys are graduating. Seems like just yesterday you guys were fresh- men and I was in the seventh grade thinking, "I wish I was just like them,” and now, you're seniors. Your time at Oneida has been filled with good times, like winning (and possibly cheating) Spirit Week, and bad times, like the loss of fa- vored class members. Through it all, you guys have managed to come together and form a beautiful bond with one an- other. You practically grew up together! Though what lies ahead is unknown, the path behind you has been filled with memories and glorious moments. As you trek through the journey of life, remember these days. The days spent proudly parading and boasting on how lit your class is. The days when you came together and helped lift one another up after a horrific loss, whether it be a soccer game or the departure of a close friend. Class of 2016, you have set an example and raised the bar for the rest of the classes to come. You remind us that no matter how tough it gets, what matters the most are the people who stick by your side. You will be missed tremendously.

Good luck In the real world Aisha Biyo