By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Joseph Le struggled to come up with an idea for what he would say in his address as valedictorian of the Zeeland West class of 2026.
With less than a week before commencement, he still hadn’t put a word down on paper.
But then one night, Le started writing, and kept writing. He drew from the Greek tragedy of Icarus, who escaped with his father Daedalus from their imprisonment, only to fly too close to the sun, melting the beeswax that held his wings together and falling to his death.
“Much like Icarus, we face a world that seeks to control who we are and what we will become. Instagram, TikTok, and even the news, are filled with these gurus who tell us what goals to chase, what steps to take, and what standards to live by,” said Le, who will study biomedical and chemical engineering at the University of Michigan this fall. “They ask us to fly, not as we are, but as they wish.”
“The truth is, no one lives inside our lives. No one else feels the pull of our dreams or understands our circumstances and abilities as we do … No one is qualified to live your life but yourself – not me, not any adult. Just you. And the fact we are here is proof of that,” Le added.
A total of 226 green-and-gold-clad graduates received their diplomas during the May 21 ceremony at Hope College’s DeVos Fieldhouse. Five foreign exchange students were also honored.
West Principal Travis Spaman said this year’s class was defined by how they showed up for others, got their work done, and did so without seeking recognition. He cited a student-led food drive that collected nearly 6,000 pounds of food for needy families in the community, and students who read to elementary school students.
“That is the true meaning of giving back – showing up, lifting others and leaving things better than you found them,” Spaman said. “As you move forward, please carry that same commitment with you, knowing that the strength of any community is built by people willing to care, connect and contribute.”
Zeeland Public Schools Superintendent Rod Hetherton, speaking to a West graduating class for the first time since he was hired to lead the district last year, encouraged graduates to not only dream big, but also to remember to care about others.
“Remember that success is not just about what you accomplish for yourself. It’s also how you impact the people around you,” Hetherton said.
History teacher Kelly Lepley, whose first day as a teacher at West was the first day of freshman year for this year’s class in the fall of 2022, was selected by the class to speak at commencement. Lepley drew on lessons from serving as an assistant coach for the West football team – that the success of the team comes from every player doing their job.
“You’re going to join new teams, a new workplace, a community,” Lepley said. “And just like football, not every role you have is going to be in the spotlight. Sometimes you are going to be the one leading an organization. Sometimes you’re going to be the one supporting people around you. Sometimes you’ll be doing the work that nobody cheers for. But that doesn’t make your job any less important.”
Lepley encouraged graduates that whatever role they move into, to take pride in it and do it with integrity.
Ninety-six seniors graduated with honors for maintaining at least a 3.5 grade point average. Of that group, 34 graduates finished with GPAs of at least 4.0, led by Le and salutatorian Andrew Stewart.
Le wrapped up his speech by encouraging graduates to trust their own intuition, again drawing on the Icarus story.
“As we spread our wings, I urge you not to bind yourself to one-dimensional precepts,” he said. “Trust the instincts shaped by every challenge you’ve faced, every mistake you’ve learned from, and every moment spent with yourself and those around you. Because these imperfect wings have always been perfect enough to fly.
“Class of 2026, we’ve made it – break the birdcage and be free.”
Zeeland Record
Joseph Le struggled to come up with an idea for what he would say in his address as valedictorian of the Zeeland West class of 2026.
With less than a week before commencement, he still hadn’t put a word down on paper.
But then one night, Le started writing, and kept writing. He drew from the Greek tragedy of Icarus, who escaped with his father Daedalus from their imprisonment, only to fly too close to the sun, melting the beeswax that held his wings together and falling to his death.
“Much like Icarus, we face a world that seeks to control who we are and what we will become. Instagram, TikTok, and even the news, are filled with these gurus who tell us what goals to chase, what steps to take, and what standards to live by,” said Le, who will study biomedical and chemical engineering at the University of Michigan this fall. “They ask us to fly, not as we are, but as they wish.”
“The truth is, no one lives inside our lives. No one else feels the pull of our dreams or understands our circumstances and abilities as we do … No one is qualified to live your life but yourself – not me, not any adult. Just you. And the fact we are here is proof of that,” Le added.
A total of 226 green-and-gold-clad graduates received their diplomas during the May 21 ceremony at Hope College’s DeVos Fieldhouse. Five foreign exchange students were also honored.
West Principal Travis Spaman said this year’s class was defined by how they showed up for others, got their work done, and did so without seeking recognition. He cited a student-led food drive that collected nearly 6,000 pounds of food for needy families in the community, and students who read to elementary school students.
“That is the true meaning of giving back – showing up, lifting others and leaving things better than you found them,” Spaman said. “As you move forward, please carry that same commitment with you, knowing that the strength of any community is built by people willing to care, connect and contribute.”
Zeeland Public Schools Superintendent Rod Hetherton, speaking to a West graduating class for the first time since he was hired to lead the district last year, encouraged graduates to not only dream big, but also to remember to care about others.
“Remember that success is not just about what you accomplish for yourself. It’s also how you impact the people around you,” Hetherton said.
History teacher Kelly Lepley, whose first day as a teacher at West was the first day of freshman year for this year’s class in the fall of 2022, was selected by the class to speak at commencement. Lepley drew on lessons from serving as an assistant coach for the West football team – that the success of the team comes from every player doing their job.
“You’re going to join new teams, a new workplace, a community,” Lepley said. “And just like football, not every role you have is going to be in the spotlight. Sometimes you are going to be the one leading an organization. Sometimes you’re going to be the one supporting people around you. Sometimes you’ll be doing the work that nobody cheers for. But that doesn’t make your job any less important.”
Lepley encouraged graduates that whatever role they move into, to take pride in it and do it with integrity.
Ninety-six seniors graduated with honors for maintaining at least a 3.5 grade point average. Of that group, 34 graduates finished with GPAs of at least 4.0, led by Le and salutatorian Andrew Stewart.
Le wrapped up his speech by encouraging graduates to trust their own intuition, again drawing on the Icarus story.
“As we spread our wings, I urge you not to bind yourself to one-dimensional precepts,” he said. “Trust the instincts shaped by every challenge you’ve faced, every mistake you’ve learned from, and every moment spent with yourself and those around you. Because these imperfect wings have always been perfect enough to fly.
“Class of 2026, we’ve made it – break the birdcage and be free.”
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