Mentor's Class of 2013 Receives Diplomas in Cleveland

Only a school graduating 629 seniors can pack a venue like Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center.

That's where the families, friends and supporters of Mentor High School's Class of 2013 gathered Saturday morning to honor graduates. The Wolstein Center was decked out in Cardinal red as faculty members and students reflected on the academic and extracurricular achievements of the students.

Principal William Wade recognized more than 40 students who graduated with a 4.0 grade point average. He then offered several pieces of "Cardinal Advice" from the staff.

Distinguished student speaker Abigail Meinen humored and inspired her classmates when she gave them plenty of responses to a question they will surely have to answer — where are you from?

"We are from a lit-up stadium on a Friday fall night, from white-outs, black-outs and screaming your lungs out for the Cards," she said. "We are from fourth-quarter comebacks, state championships and cheerleaders who truly do sparkle.

"We are from where bands play for the president and for Mickey Mouse. From choirs and orchestras that will break your heart with a song ... Dance-a-Thon-ing for autism, relaying for life and Harvesting for Hunger. We are from Science Olympiad super geniuses and from the upper deck of the Titanic," she continued.

"We are from the home of artists, musicians, athletes and thinkers who have and will continue to change the world. We are from excellence. When they ask us where we are from, we will tell them all of these things simply by saying one thing — that we are from Mentor."

Watch the video above to see students reflect on what they will miss about attending Mentor High School.