Three County Schools hold Graduations

Dodson High School Graduation

Friday, May 19, 2017

A total of four seniors earned their high school diplomas at the Dodson High School Graduation on Friday, May 19, at the school's gymnasium and joining them in the festivities were eight kindergarten students who will move to the first grade next year and a total of eight eighth grade students who will be the school's freshman class next year.

Class of 2017 valedictorian Serena Cuts The Rope was joined by salutatorian Shawnee KillEagle, Mikaeya RunsAbove and Hannah Kienenberger in receiving their high school diplomas.

The eighth-grade class (the Class of 2021) to receive their middle school certification on Friday were Jeramiah Benson, Ireland Best, Tiffany Cliff, Melony Fetter, Sophia Hebert, Landon James, Zerek Jones, Nellene Messerly and Gabriel Werk.

The kindergarten class (the Class of 2029) to advance to the first grade next year were Xavier Best, Karson Cole, Emily Fetter, Leslie Fox, Danielle James, Ahriana Jaynes, Derek Stiffarm and Tellisa Yarlott.

Prior to the day's speakers, mother and daughter Kayla Messerly and Tova Anderson blessed the audience with a powerful rendition of Andra Day's Rise Up.

During Cuts The Rope's valedictorian speech, she thanked the people who have helped her through her struggles and promised that high school graduation was a beginning, not an end.

"This is the door opening up to bigger and better opportunities that lay ahead of us," Cuts The Rope said. "The world better watch out because four confident and strong women are being unleashed. I am looking forward to seeing each of us becoming successful."

The commencement speaker at Friday's ceremony was Fort Peck Tribal Councilwoman Roxanne Gourneau who said she was honored to be asked to speak by the graduating class and what an amazing community Dodson is.

"Everybody wants to reclaim what they have lost and you have it right here," Councilwoman Gourneau said. "I have driven past Dodson a thousand times and little did I know the great treasures that were behind those little storefronts and homes...you are rich and so blessed.

Following the diploma ceremony, guests lined up to shake hands with three different graduating classes, drop gifts in their baskets and wish them well with their futures.

Saco High School Graduation

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Christian Menge and Jamison Schaaf were honored at the Saco High School Class of 2017 graduation ceremony in Saco on Saturday, May 21, in front of a sizable crowd in the school's gymnasium.

Prior to the two high school seniors being honored, a total of five eighth grade students were honored and received their diplomas as the Class of 2021 will head to high school next year. Those students are Jaydyn Erickson, Randy Gairrett, Alexys Perkins, Chayten Pippin and Brent Yeska. Each year, Saco School honors one child as Top Eighth Grade Student and this year that award went to Erickson.

During each Saco School graduation ceremony, the graduating class from 50 years prior is honored and on Saturday, that was the Class of 1967 which consisted of 18 students. Of those 18, a total of six have passed away and at the ceremony in Saco, the four who were in attendance were Bill Bryson, Mike Erickson, Fred Hammond and John Rock.

Prior to the day's speakers, the Saco Choir - Devin Salveson, Chandler Pippin, Josh Salveson, Christian Menge, Chris DePuydt - sang Rainbow Connection, a cappella.

The Saco Class of 2017 Valedictorian was Menge and during his speech he thanked the school's facility and student's parents for the many important skills they have taught him and the great work ethic they have helped instill as he and Schaaf head into their futures.

"As graduated, we face many uncertainties right now and in the distant future," Menge said. "However, uncertainty is another word for opportunity. Saco has groomed us for this opportunity."

Commencement Speaker Chris Pippin diverted from the regular type of speech, and used slides of the comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes, to draw some of life's lessons, including following rules, mortality and character building and fresh starts.

"I saved the best advice for last that I could glean from the pages of Calvin and Hobbes," Pippin concluded. "To quote Calvin, 'it's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy, let's go exploring'."

Menge received $3,100 in scholarships, which were from the Saco Music Booster's Appreciation, the Stiles, Iverson and Sudbrack Memorial Scholarship, the Jane Kober Memorial Scholarship and the Phillip Sudbrack Memorial Scholarship.

Schaff received $3,200 in scholarships, which were from the Saco Teacher's Scholarship, the Saco Music Booster's Appreciation, the Ken and Dawn White Memorial Scholarship, the Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship, Phillip Sudbrack Memorial Scholarship and the Joye Pewonka Memorial Scholarship.

Following the graduation ceremony, guests were asked to the school's multi-purpose room for refreshments.

Malta High School Graduation

Sunday, May 21

Thirty-six seniors turned their tassels last Sunday at the Malta High School Class of 2017 Commencement Exercise held at the school's gymnasium.

The event was started with the Malta High School Concert Band performing Pomp and Circumstance as the graduates entered the gymnasium. Then an octet of senior women sang the National Anthem.

The 2017 class featured many awards and accomplishments in their high school years, which gave weight to their motto, "You come to this planet with nothing and you leave with nothing, so you better do some good while you are here," a quote from Alex Van Halen.

The Malta High School Band performed Bill Wither's Lean on Me before Salutatorian Blake Sjostrom gave his speech. Sjostrom's speech had an emphasis on the class's' talents and abilities, also giving thanks to the community for it's support.

"They each taught us valuable life lessons that we can take with us and apply to the real world," Sjostrom said. "Along with the many lessons, we learned many skills that helped shape who we are today."

Valedictorian Cru Darrah followed, likening the class to the many cottonwoods that he has seen each morning on his way to school.

"As I look upon my classmates, I do not see any weeping willows, I see successful people," Darrah said. "It is time for us to reach high, branch out and grow. And, by all means... avoid Reed Veit, he has a chainsaw."

Following Darrah's speech the MHS Concert Band performed James Brown's, I Feel Good followed by Bill Conti's Gonna Fly Now, also known as the Rocky Theme. The graduates were then handed their diplomas.