Red Oak graduates 79 seniors
RED OAK — On a weekend marred by the death of a longtime Red Oak educator, 79 seniors celebrated the completion of their secondary education at commencement ceremonies Sunday.
Red Oak Superintendent Terry Schmidt welcomed the capacity crowd inside the high school gymnasium, while taking time to honor Inman Primary principal Buck Laughlin.
Laughlin died Saturday afternoon after a battle with cancer (see related story).
“Many of you, our graduates, have spent a majority of your school lives in Red Oak,” Schmidt said. “Many of you remember your years as Inman school kids. Today, we remember your school principal, and for many years, a school leader.”
Following a moment of silence, high school counselor John Brabec announced the winners of the Inman award, which is given to the class valedictorian.
This year, Allison Behrens and Matthew Goracke shared valedictorian honors, with Caitlyn Soden named salutatorian.
During her speech, Behrens reminded her classmates life is filled with challenges.
“I hope each one of us finds success in whatever makes us happy. But the road will not always be lined with roses,” she said. “I wish I could stand up here and say and tell you your life will be so much better after high school. But in reality, sometimes life will be rough. My grandma was famous for saying, ‘if life was fair, the horse would get to ride half the time.’”
She also urged her classmates to take stock in what they have.
“Here is my challenge for you all. I challenge you to re-examine your life this summer,” Behrens said. “I want you to find one good thing about your life for every day you have to live. That way, when things take a turn for the worse, it will be easier to remember all the good in your life.”
Goracke reminded the graduates the future is whatever they want to make of it.
“To the class of 2011, I wish you the best of luck,” he said. “We all have the power to do whatever we wish in life, as long as we put in the hard work and the effort that it takes. Go forward class of 2011, and make your own destiny.”
Soden said each graduate needed to look within for the key to their success.
“Whether we are going on to college, taking a year off, going to work, or even going into the military … some of us are looking forward to this, and others are worried about what the future might bring,” she said. “The thing is, we can’t worry about what we have done, or what we might do. What’s inside each one of us is what matters. That’s what shapes everything we have done, or ever will do.”
Soden’s mother, Kay, was elected by the senior class to present the parent address. At the recommendation of a friend, she shared bits of advice with the students like she would with her own daughter.
“Always, always, always use the buddy system,” she said. “Whether it is for personal safety, triumph or tragedy, remember you are not alone. Victory is always sweeter when you can share it, and a heavy burden will be easier to carry with the help of a friend.”
After Soden’s speech, the class of 2011 was presented, with the following students receiving diplomas:
Shane Thomas Adams, Jessy Leigh Adkisson, Megan Nicole Backstrom, Allison Kay Behrens, Emileah Jonene Betts, Kristine Elizabeth June Boatman, Devon Ray Briggs, Sheldon Renee Bright, Torry Dean Brown, Brandon James Bruce, Emily Diane Clark, Sarah Elizabeth Elaine Clark, and Bailey Anne Crouch;
Jordan Michael Davis, John Thomas Dovel, Andrea Marie Elarton, Dillon Jacob Fenn, Zachary Tyler Fenn, Forrest James Fink, Oakley Ray Goldsmith, Matthew Norman Goracke, Joshua Lee Gould, Logan Zachary Harris, Curtis Warren Hilding, Jutta Johanna Hollt, Ashley Anne Horgdal, and Paige Nicole Isaacson;
Hilary Jo Jackson, Alexis Ann Jespersen, Katherine Rose Jardon, Phillip Kenneth Dalton Johnson, Katherine Van Jordan, Thomas Michael Kaimann, Phylip Scott Lee Keat, Mariah Lea Knapp, Troy Dale Kroupa, Jessica Michelle Kruse, Travis Alton Larsen, Austin Jaymes Lathrop, Reb-ecca Lynn Leininger, and McKaela Brianne Magneson;
Justin Lewis Marsden, Cole Francis Meek, Flores Nelida Itzel Mendez, Cameron Sawyer Miller, Micah Leslie Morrissey, Danni Jean Murphy, Kelsey Jane Myers, Cheyanne Marie Nelson, Jill Nicole Norris, Jennie Lee Olson, Arik Ammon Ostler, Cody Lee Pafford, Domenica Josephine Petty, Emily Christine Pierson, Rachel Elizabeth Pierson, Ethan Tolman Powers, Jedadiah Ivan Prokes, Janeese Marie Ranney, and Caitlin Marie Smith;
Caleb Daniel Smith, Stefani Rae Ann Smith, Caitlyn Marie Soden, Chantal Kaye Sperling, Colin Patrick Streicher, Ellaine Jane Sugian, April Marie Tye, Jeffrey Lynne Updike, John James VanLeuven III, Andrea Renee Van Scoy, Brittany Mae Walker, Carly Rebecca Walker, Caleb Lee Walter, Casey James Wenstrand, Dakota James White, Kaleb Christopher White, Brian Trevor Wickam, Daniel Christopher Williams, and Colby William Wise.