The time had come for the 38 seniors to say “farewell” to MMCRU High School.
After 13 years of school, May 22 was the date of their graduation. They had received their “wings” and were ready to move_out into the world they had prepared for all these years. Hurrah! They were graduating!
When we arrived in the Commons we found them already in their gowns and wearing their hats. It is always a worry as to how to get them lined up for pictures when they are busy saying goodbye to their classmates. Some were taking pictures as for some, this probably will be the last time they see each other again. Mrs. Peters to the rescue! Thanks to her, it didn’t take her long to get the groups together for pictures. There were no flowers to pin on their gowns as in the past. I found the Valedictorian, Ellie Reuter, and the two Salutatorians, Brayden Dirks and Ellie Hilbrands, and got their picture. I went to congratulate one member, Thien Elijah Goodburn, who has been in Band and Choir for all four years of high school, as well as being the school mail delivery person. Thien is a special needs person who has been accepted by the others in the class. Not going to school anymore, he is going to spend time with family and friends around the community
Then it was time to head for the gym where parents, relatives, and friends were waiting for this moment. A silence fell over the auditorium as the Concert Band, under the direction of Ms. Emma Davis began playing the Processional, “Pomp and Circumstance”. The graduates marched in two by two. They were seated in a row on the auditorium floor facing the stage.
Principal Travis Sprague welcomed the family and friends to this occasion and especially, the graduates. He expressed his farewell to an outstanding class.
Superintendent Dan Barkel introduced the Board of Education sitting on the stage.
Light out! It was time for the Senior Slideshow where there were pictures of “before” and then the “now” picture of each graduate. There were pictures of individual groups as well as field trips that students participated in. The final picture was of the whole class.
Lights back on! Time to find your mother or someone to give a White Gerbera Daisy to. Not everyone receiving the flower was seated in an aisle seat many were in the middle of the row!
The MMCRU G-sharps, a group of eight girls, were on the stage and sang, “For Good.”
Mr. Travis Sprague introduced the Salutatorians (Brayden Dirks and Ellie Hilbrands) individually as each one spoke to their classmates. The Valedictorian, Ellie Reuter, also had an address of advice to those graduating.
Mr. Sprague presented the Class of 2022 and as Superintendent Dan Barkel called out their name, the graduate came forth and received their diploma from Mr. Sprague.
When the last graduate had received his diploma and was seated, Mr. Sprague gave his farewell to this class. “Turn your tassels around, you have graduated.” He did have more to say to this class as far as going out into the world and using what they had learned from MMCRU School.
The MMCRU Band played the Recessional. They once again walked out two at a time and did not walk out with their parents, or whoever had been there for them throughout their school years. I didn’t even see where the usual line of graduates formed after leaving the gym if there was one, I missed it!
Class Officers of the Class of 2022 were Emily Dreckman (President), Ellie Reuter (Vice President), Taylor Harpenau (Representative) and Ellie Hilbrands (Representative). Their class Motto was, “Together we have experienced life. Separately we will pursue our dreams. Forever our memories will remain.”
Their class Colors were Navy & Silver. The class Flower was White Gerbera Daisy.
Their awards and scholarships will be in another future Marcus News.