The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG – Friends and family members stood as the traditional strains of 'Pomp and Circumstance' marked both an ending and new beginnings for the Waitsburg Class of 2017 on Friday. Thirty-three seniors made the traditional walk down Kison Court at Waitsburg High School's 121st commencement ceremony to receive their diplomas.

Kelsey Alleman and Karlie Pettichord-Mathews, siblings of graduating seniors, served as class marshals, and 2016-17 ASB President Jacob Dunn led the flag salute. Dr. Carol Clarke welcomed guests and introduced honor speaker Selina Mercado.

Mercado, daughter of Jose and Carla Mercado, who had a GPA of 3.749, thanked teachers and especially retiring faculty before sharing some of the lessons the class has learned over the years.

"The first is a lesson that many of us learned in elementary school; and that would be that it might not be the best idea to make people laugh in the lunch room because a result is someone might just end up with food in their hair or all over everything. I unfortunately know that first hand. Someone made Dylan laughed so hard and he spit his mashed potatoes on Taylor Spoonemore and me, which caused us to then spend ten minutes in the bathroom picking potato out of each other's hair.

"The second lesson is that one needs to be cautious in what they do because it can result in injury. That was proven when someone punched a wall, even though it was padded. It resulted in a broken hand. Skylar was the unfortunate person to learn that. Those are just two of the most memorable lessons learned that most of us can look back on and laugh about now that some time has passed," she said.

Mercado reflected on the closeness of the class and shared the ways they have supported each other through the years before sharing inspirational quotes from Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, Oprah Winfrey, Tupac Shakur and Joe Dirt.

"I hope that everyone will remember the friends they made here and carry them in their hearts and minds for a long time to come as we all make our ways in this would," she said, before introducing honor speaker Skylar Wood.

Wood is the son of John Wood and Dena Wood, and holds a 3.959 GPA. He got the crowd laughing with a lighthearted opener, stolen from speech given by his older brother, Brad Huffman, in 2005. Wood used his plagiarism as a segue to share how WHS is a link between generations and community members.

"I used my brother's opening because it represents something in my family that is unique to Waitsburg High School. My family has been going to this school for generations. It's almost impossible for me to walk down a hall without seeing the graduation pictures of a sibling, a cousin, an aunt, an uncle, a parent, or a grandparent. One could say that Waitsburg High School is a part of my family.

"This relationship between myself and this school highlights a very important aspect of the school and its relationship with the community. Waitsburg High School serves as a bridge between generations. Graduating from here is something that is shared among many of the town's citizens and is something that links people generations apart," he said, before introducing Salutatorian Taylor Hays.

Hays holds a 3.971 GPA and is the daughter of Chad and Heather Hays. She looked back warmly at the welcoming atmosphere she experienced when she moved to Waitsburg in seventh grade, and reflected on how her classmates had become like family over the years. She shared several memories and tied them to the class motto: "Sometimes you'll never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."

"As we've grown, we've all been asked the same dreaded question: 'What are your plans after high school?' What amazes me is how diversified all of our answers are. Some of us want to be a dentist, a famer, or a veterinarian. We have some nurses, and architect, and a physical therapist. And of course, don't forget the military . . . I'm waiting to hear a 'GO Navy!' from the crowd," Hays said as audience member Jack McCaw quickly obliged.

"Overall, it's been said that after high school, you won't see 80% of your class ever again. That's probably true, but however sad it may be, I will always remember that it is not an end. We've learned so much from each other; and now it's time to go find our new beginning.

"One thing I want to say to my family, classmates, and this amazing community and everyone in it who raised me: 'If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire universe would be in the palm of my hand," Hays said. She then introduced class valedictorian Jacob Dunn.

Dunn holds a 3.984 GPA and is the son of Marty and Becky Dunn. He referred to the class motto saying, "It is my belief that the memories we have made over our years together will never be forgotten; however, beginning tomorrow we will all make new memories as we continue our journeys in life."

Dunn looked back at specific memories such as lunch table laughs and Monster Cookies in elementary school, eating grasshoppers at Camp Wooten and awkward voice changes in middle school and the fear and excitement of driver's licenses, dances and sports in high school. He spoke to the fear of an unknown future as he admonished his fellow graduates to remain brave.

"These are my thoughts of how we step forward into our futures. Let's not forget to live, love, and enjoy the little moments of life. We, as individuals and collectively, have experience and will continue to experience many challenges in our lives. We each must continue to push forward even when times get difficult and when we are struggling. Through adversity we can find success and rewards by staying positive and focused," he said.

He encouraged his classmates to keep their relationships strong and continue to support one another through the difficult times and struggles that will undoubtedly lie ahead.

"As another graduate once said, 'Now is the time for us to shine, the time when our dreams are within reach and possibilities vast. Now is the time for all of us to become the people we always dreamed of being. This is your world. You're here. You matter. The world is waiting.' Now go and be courageously and fabulously you!'" Dunn said, in closing.

High School Principal Stephanie Wooderchak then recognized the honor graduates.

Those wearing National Honor Society white collars were Emily Adams, Jacob Dunn, Jared Farley, Taylor Hays, Nicolas Kitselman, Selina Mercado, Aislynn Pope, Gillian Pope, Taylor Spoonemore, and Skylar Wood.

Graduates wearing the FFA medallion included Emily Adams, Tyler Brooks, Sydney Fowble, Tyler Hoffman, Laramie Mathews and Devin Newman.

Graduates wearing gold honor cords denoting a GPA of 3.25 or higher, and red and white Cardinal Honor Cords, were Jacob Dunn, Taylor Hays, Skylar Wood, Selina Mercado, Gillian Pope, Aislynne Pope, Haley Akes, Emily Adams, Jared Farley, Nicolas Kitselman, Taylor Spoonemore and Joseph Leamy.

Scott Kirk

High School Principal Stephanie Wooderchak presents future military enlistees (l to r) TJ Morrison, David Just, and Joe Leamy

PEO member Carol Clarke presented the PEO Citizenship Award given for outstanding citizenship, character, and service to Jacob Dunn and Selina Mercado. She also presented the Fancuillo-Douglas Scholarship to Jacob Dunn. John Watts presented the Waitsburg Firemen's Association Scholarship to Jacob Dunn and Taylor Hays.

Special presentations were made to T.J. Morrison, David Just and Joe Leamy, who received a standing ovation for their plans to join the military following graduation. Just will join the U.S. Navy while Morrison and Leamy are planning a future in the U.S. Air Force.

Scholarships were awarded (see list on Last Page, followed by the presentations of the valedictorian and salutatorian. The class was presented by Class President Timber Frohreich, and diplomas were presented by school board member Marilyn Johnson.

The new graduates exited the gym to Norman Greenbaum's 'Spirit in the Sky' before lining up on the high school lawn to receive congratulations from friends and family.