By Elaine Rassel
Sunday, May 23 had arrived for the Seniors of MMCRU. It was the day they were graduating! A quote from C.S. Lewis tells the graduates, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” For some, it had been 13 years since they began their educational journey. Now, they had reached their goal!
Gathering in the Commons Area, they were getting ready for their walk to the gym where friends and relatives were waiting for this moment. As usual, there were mothers and others who were there to take pictures of this moment. There were graduates themselves who were taking “last” pictures of themselves with some of the classmates. As with all farewells, emotion played its part with some.
Back in the Commons Area, I had gotten their class sponsor, Mrs. Peters to line up the necessary ones to have their picture taken for the newspaper. This year was a different situation with Valedictorian and Salutatorian_there was not just one of each but, two of each!
Rather than have the whole class picture taken and avoid having to stand way back to take it, we usually have the girls and then a separate picture of the boys. Last we did have a class picture taken! It was time to head for the gymnasium where people, unlike last year, were waiting for this big event to take place.
A hush went over the crowd and then we heard the familiar Processional, “Pomp and Circumstance”. There were two Junior attendants who led the graduates to their place in front of the stage.
Principal Travis Sprague welcomed all those attending. On stage were some of the School Board members from MMC and RU and were introduced by Superintendent Dan Barkel.
“Lights out”! It was time for the Senior Slideshow where each graduate is shown as an infant/or younger child and then their graduation picture. They also showed clips of games, sport events, concerts, and other interesting events the class members had been involved in their last year.
A white rose tied with a purple ribbon was given to each mother.
The High School Choir under the direction of Ms. Emma Davis, sang, “We Won’t Stop Dreaming”.
Mr. Sprague presented Caitlyn Evans and Miller Staab, Salutatorians, and Kaitlyn Goth and Cade Pepper, Valedictorians, to address their classmates. All four of them gave interesting advice. (I have asked to have each of their addresses so they could be printed _with credit given to the writer. These writers have gone to great lengths to prepare their address. At the time of the speech, people either can’t hear some of it or else what was said is not always remembered. That is why I feel if it is printed, the address is there, forever! If I haven’t received their speeches at graduation time, I will still have them printed in the next newspaper.)
Mr. Sprague presented the Senior Class and presented diplomas to each as Superintendent Barkel read off their names. A short minute was given to each one for a picture to be taken as he/she received their diploma.
A final farewell to the class on sending them out into the word that this school had prepared them for was given by Mr. Sprague. Then the familiar quote was given to the graduates, “Graduates, switch your tassels from right to left!”
They walked out to the Recessional, “Coronation March.! They left their diplomas in the Commons Area and came back into the gym in front of the stage to throw their caps up into the air and then be congratulated to all
All too soon, the gym was quiet again. Another class had left to find their way in the world. We wish all of them the best of which ever road they choose to follow.
Their Class Officers were: Kristina Goth, President; Caitlyn Evans, Vice President and Paige Gergen, Representative.
Their class colors were Lavender & Silver. The Class Flower was a White Rose.