 | | Photo By John Gervais | | Carissa Kirk gets a hug Saturday afternoon after going through graduation ceremonies at St. Paul High School. |
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By John Gervais
It was a comfortable afternoon, Saturday as students, parents, staff, family and friends filled the St. Paul High School gym for the ceremonial graduation of the Class of 2008. The '08 commencement ceremony was more than three weeks earlier than normal because of construction at the high school.
Abundantly decorated in flowers, bunting, arches, backdrops and a walkway to the stage, all in blue and white colors, the 15 graduates marched in to the sounds of "Pomp and Circumstance" and applause.
Blake Bernhardt's family, many from the state of Washington, formed their own cheering section in the bleachers, complete with bright green matching t-shirts spelling out his name. His family said that two of the cousins in the formation will also be graduating in a few weeks in Washington.
In introducing the class to the audience, Superintendent Bruce Shull thanked them for their performance in their four years of high school.
"Mrs. (Debbie) Eder (principal) and I asked ourselves 'how you replace this class,'" he said. "You don't, you just move on."
Shull congratulated the class for their performance which accomplished many great things, including an appreciative community that voted for a school bond. This vote showed the community's support for the students.
Following Shull's welcome, valedictorian Janelle Drescher and salutatorian Melissa Keightley gave individual addresses discussing various aspects of life and school and what they are looking forward to down the road.
A tradition at St. Paul graduation is parent appreciation and as class members Amanda Britnell and Timothy Andrew read each of the parents' names, each graduate walked off the stage, with flower in hand, for their parent.
The audience was then entertained with a PowerPoint presentation of each student with photos throughout various phases of their youth and a discussion of where they are headed in the future.
Eder then presented students with scholarships, other school-related awards.
"We are graduating so early this year that we have not received notification of many of the awards yet to arrive," said Eder.
Following the awards, Joe Neys, school board chairman, presented the diplomas. An emotional Neys had the privilege of giving his daughter, Emily, her diploma. As Emily approached, she leaped into her dad's arms and gave him a hug.
To end the ceremony, students flipped the tassel from one side to the other and Drescher and Keightley lead their class out under the arch and into the hall for a receiving line.
"Mrs. (Debbie) Eder (principal) and I asked ourselves 'how you replace this class,'" he said. "You don't, you just move on."
Shull congratulated the class for accomplishing many great things, including an appreciative community that voted for a school bond. This vote showed the community's support for the students.
Following Shull's welcome, valedictorian Janelle Drescher and salutatorian Melissa Keightley gave individual addresses discussing various aspects of life and school and what they are looking forward to, down the road.
A tradition at St. Paul graduation is parent appreciation and as class members Amanda Britnell and Timothy Andrew read each of the parents' names, each graduate walked off the stage, with flower in hand, for their parent.
The audience was then entertained with a PowerPoint presentation of each student, with photos throughout various phases of their youth and a discussion of where they are headed in the future.
Eder then presented students with scholarships and other school-related awards.
"We are graduating so early this year that we have not received notification of many of the awards yet to arrive," said Eder.
Following the awards, Joe Neys, school board chairman, presented the diplomas. An emotional Neys had the privilege of giving his daughter, Emily, her diploma. As Emily approached, she leaped into her dad's arms and gave him a hug.
To end the ceremony, students flipped the tassel from one side to the other and Drescher and Keightley lead their class out under the arch and into the hall for a receiving line.
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