Four Phillips County schools graduate total of 47 seniors

A total of 49 Phillips County seniors graduated from high school last at four different ceremonies held on three different days.

n Friday night in Dodson and Whitewater, a total of eight Coyotes celebrated their graduation while in Whitewater, four seniors graduated. On Saturday afternoon in Saco, six seniors concluded high school following their and the last event of the weekend, Malta High School's graduation, featured 31 seniors turning their tassels.

Dodson

A total of eight seniors graduated from high school in Dodson last Friday night in front of a standing only room crowd.

2018 Class valedictorian David Jaynes and class salutatorian Tobias Jones were joined by fellow seniors Donna Dale, Eagle Doney, Paul Doney, Les Jones, Marty Lonebear and Kyla Racine in turning their tassels on the night after receiving their high school diplomas.

"Of course David always has to one-up me," salutatorian Jones joked of his best friend, valedictorian Jaynes.

Jones, who also earned the school's Superintendent's Award, said he remembers the smells of the freshly polished wood floors of Dodson School when he first arrived at the institution years ago and hoped that next year, the schoolmates he leaves behind will remember him for the little things in life.

"I hope they say, 'man, I miss Tobo telling jokes', or 'man, I wish Tobo was here to pop my back' or just the little, insignificant things I say."

A total of nine eighth grade students graduated from middle to high school on the night and they are Kelley Fox, Michael Jaynes, Cash KillEagle, Lane Kirkaldie, Kadin Racine, Tyshawn Shambo, Treyten Stiffarm and Dwight Werk. The first group of students to be honored at the festivities were the kindergarten class who will move on to the first-grade next year and those students are Dallas Baker, Marco Cortez, Jett Doney, Madison Decelles, and Kaydence Stiffarm.

Speaker honors for the night went to DHS teacher Tianna Bloomer who started working at the school the same year as the graduates on the night started middle school and she thanked the students for sharing their journey with her.

"To my babies, my ducklings, my very special seniors, Class of 2018, I love you with all my heart," she said. "Thank you so much for sharing and celebrating the last six years with me."

Whitewater

A few hundred people showed up to Whitewater High School on the evening of Friday, May 18, as the class of 2018 graduated turned their tassels in the Whitewater gymnasium.

After being introduced by Whitewater Superintendent Darin Cummings, Trey Simanton, the class salutatorian was the first to speak.

"I would like to thank my family and friends for encouraging me to get to this point in my life," he said.

Simanton also thanked the staff and teachers at Whitewater High School and shared the post-high school plans he and his classmates had.

Trace Simonson, the class valedictorian, was next to speak. According to his speech, he was the only member of the 2018 class until the final month of his seventh-grade year, in which Cody Scheffelmear joined the school. Simanton was the next to join the class during the group's freshman year and Pewitt joined the class this past fall, transferring from Dodson.

"To my classmates, I want to wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors," Simon-son said.

The evening's guest speaker was Jake Stuart, a Rocky Mountain College alum, who is married to Ashley Stuart, a graduate of Whitewater High School.

"As someone who is not from here but has spent a lot of time here, I have to say that I have always been amazed by the graduation ceremonies in Whitewater," Stuart said. "Graduation is a big deal and it is treated as such here. I have always admired that."

Saco

Saco High School's Class of 2018 was honored at the school's graduation on Saturday afternoon in Saco as class valedictorian Chris Pippin and salutatorian Christopher DePuydt were joined by fellow seniors Bailey Funk, Jada Sudbrack, Challise Young and Sydney Zeller in receiving their diplomas.

Ahead of the diplomas being handed out, however, the SHS Class of 1968 was honored which consisted of Gregory DePuydt, James DeNoma, Kirk Menge, Kenneth Stahl, Ulainee Hartman, Margie Clausen, Mary Yeska, Linda Harlin, Gayle Hammond, Bonnie Nutter, Kerry Minnerath, Ronnie Brookie, Myrna Simpson, Susan McQuillan, and Wanda Berrisford.

Where Saco High School is losing six seniors following Saturday's festivities, the school will gain four freshmen as Dylan Brown, Jaycee Erickson (named Top Eighth Grade Student), Daeson Salveson, and Beau Sudbrack will move to the ninth grade next year.

Commencement speaker for the day was SHS science teacher (and class of 2022 senior advisor) Barry Malone, and though he admitted public speaking was not his favorite activity, he told the graduating class to be tolerant of others as they leave high schools and they head into college.

"Everyone is going to have different opinions," he said. "Your ideas will change and continue to grow as you continue to grow, but one thing I don't think we do very well is tolerate other people's opinions and I think that is one thing that you need to do."

Pippin, giving his valedictorian speech, said that though he doesn't know what the future holds for him and his classmates, he did offer one piece of parting advice.

"Have fun and cherish every moment of your life while you still can," he said. "Our lives are fleeting in the grand scheme of things, and it's important to always remember that."

Malta

Malta High School's graduating class of 2018 - number 31 - were awarded their diplomas on Sunday afternoon in Malta, led by class valedictorian Isabella Mackey and co-salutatorians Konner Kuehn and Joanie Sjostrom.

Joining Mackey, Kuehn and Sjostrom in graduating on Sunday were classmates Maria Brown, TaChante Cole, Jacob Czereda, Samantha Dolphay, Zachary Drabbs, Travis Epperson, Shelby Ferrell, Jon Fox, Caleigh Green, Dawn Jenkins, Tel Jensen, Adessa Judd, Macy Knudsen, Kendall Koss, Taylor Matthews, Ceaton Mears, Sam Mitchell, Kaden Moore, Adam Mummey, Billie Orahood, Emily Robinson, Julio Salveson, Ashley Scheffelmaer, Ella Schye, David Skiff, Jacquoya Stevens, Landon VanWichen, and Monicha Williamson.

Co-salutatorian Kuehn said that of the thousands of possible graduation topics to speak of, he chose to thank people and organizations for the time and leadership they spent and displayed while he was a Malta student - from MHS teachers, coaches and staff to Malta Athletic Club and lastly his classmates.

Each one of you has made my high school career outstanding," Kuehn said. "I am a little different because I enjoyed high school. Most kids cannot wait to graduate finally, but it was not like that for me. Some of that has to do with growing up in a special community like Malta, but most of it had to do with the kids I grew up around. I have so many memories that will stick with me for a long time, like the smell of Taylor's jersey after basketball practice, or Tel's classic pranks of putting his toenails in my shoes."

Co-salutatorian Sjostrom said she thought the day she was to graduate would never arrive and now that 12-years of school are complete, what now?

"I can't say that I know the answer to that for myself," she said, "but I do know that although this may be the last time I see some of you, no matter where you go, I'll always be rooting for you. Graduation is nothing but an end to an old life and a beginning to a new one. The future is in our hands once we leave this building. It begins here, and it begins today."

Valedictorian Mackey, a two-time All-State flute player, read lyrics from a song she felt conveys an important message.

"As many of you know, music has been a major influence in my life, so I would like to leave you with a few lines from a song many of you might know well," she said. "'Lighten up while you still can, don't even try to understand, just find a place to make your stand, and take it easy. That's from the Eagles. But I hope you all take the message to heart. Don't get caught up in the chaos of life and enjoy yourselves. Set your goals high, and find your passion. Malta will always be the town that raised us, but now it's time for us to take everything that we have learned and venture out into the world."

Prior to Kuehn's co-salutatorian speech, 2018 Class President Jacob Czereda spoke about Riley Baublitz who passed away in the summer of 2016 and would have been a graduate on Sunday.

"He had a great personality, a tremendous sense of humor, was a fiercely loyal friend," Czereda said. "We will always remember and treasure the memories of Riley."