Brookfield East Senior Calls Graduation an "Iconic Moment"

• Click here for a of Brookfield East's graduation. A video of the graduates processing into the Field House and a PDF of the program are attached to this story.

Comparing high school to the Star Wars' "Empire Strikes Back" might seem like a stretch, but East High senior Joseph Springer pulled it off.

In a speech that drew laughs from his fellow graduates, Springer explained the "Empire Strikes Back" initially was derided for being just a big set up to the main event, the next and final film in the trilogy. Years later, critics looked back and said Empire was better than the film that succeeded it.

High school also is a big set up to post-graduate life, Springer said. But someday it may rank as some of students' best memories for decades to come. 

"We're just getting to the good part of the story," he said, but added: "Always remember the set up where you fell in love with the story in the first place." 

Springer spoke before his 304 fellow graduates Sunday afternoon at the . Of them, 96 received honor graduates, meaning they finished in the top 10 percent of their class or had a 3.5 grade point average, and completed six credits of Honors courses.

David Frank, president of the Elmbrook Education Foundation, recognized 12 East High seniors chosen to each receive $1,500 scholarships. 

The packed crowd gave a standing ovation to East's six seniors who are entering the military, including the Marines, Navy Seals, Navy Diving Team and Air Force ROTC.

They also applauded the Boys Track and Field team for — the 13th state sports championship East High teams have won in the school's 48-year history, according to Principal Dan Pavletich.

"All your hard work pays off today," senior Scott Memmel told his classmates. "It is an iconic moment in our lives."

Adapting a quote from Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker, Memmel said, "Students became achievers. Achievers became leaders. And leaders became graduates."

Valedictorian Reem Elorbany encouraged the graduates to "face every challenge unflinchingly."

Elmbrook Schools Superintendent Matt Gibson said the students will face a challenging future, as they seek jobs in the face of high unemployment and an uncertain economy.

But Gibson said the graduates would succeed if they not only prepare, but improvise well, to react to life's curve balls.

"You have absolutely unlimited futures," he said. "Congratulations."

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Miss the ceremony or want to see it again? The Elmbrook School District will broadcast East's graduation at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily on Time Warner Cable channels 13 and 96, starting on Friday and continuing through July 1.