Commencement speaker for the Mountain Lake Public High School (MLHS) Class of 2014, Mitchell Schroeder, quoted the good doctor – the late “Dr. Seuss” – from book, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,!” as a send-off message to the 40 class members.
The 110th MLHS Commencement Exercises were held Friday evening, May 16, in the school auditorium.
Schroeder, a 2003 grad of MLHS, a 2007 graduate of South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, and now a loan officer at United Prairie Bank in Mountain Lake, used the lines from Dr. Seuss to assess – and stress – to the graduating seniors all they already have – and all that lay ahead of them. “Where do you see yourself in 10 years? How do you get there?” Schroeder questioned the students.
“Whether you are going on to further education, into the work force or entering the military, oh, the places you’ll go – if you’re willing to work for them. Life is a balancing act. You have choices to make. It’s important to step outside your comfort zone. The risks are worth it – even if they don’t always lead to success as you see it.”
“Congratulations!
“Today is your day.”
Schroeder extended to the soon-to-be alumni.
“And then,” Schroeder emphasized, ‘You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!'”
Responding for the class was Christian Pfeiffer, Class President. Pfeiffer stated that his main job was to provide the audience with a better understanding of his class – member-by-member. He noted that, “We have a remarkably-balanced array of talents and personalities in our class – the Class of 2014.”
The Senior High Band presented the prelude and the traditional processional, “Pomp and Circumstance,” as well as the selection, “Havendance,” by David R. Holsinger. Kurt Jahnke is the band director.
The Senior High Choir, under the direction of Andrea Brinkman, shared the number, “Another Bridge to Cross,” by Carl Strommen, while all members of the senior class – which together created the Senior Choir – presented “Lean on Me,” by Bill Wirthers/GLEE, with arrangement by Adam Anders and Tim Davis.
In addition to Pfeiffer, Andrew Hempeck, Senior Class Secretary/Treasurer, shared Words of Inspiration, while Mikayla Falk, Class Vice-President, introduced the Commencement speaker.
Deborah Wallert of the Mountain Lake Scholarship Program presented scholarships to seniors, and Shawn Naas awarded the “Bradley Behrends Memorial Scholarship” and the “Ellyn Quiring Memorial Scholarship.”
High School Principal Pamela Anderson presented the graduating class to the audience. Douglas Standerwick, Chair of the Mountain Lake Public School Board of Education, awarded the diplomas, and were congratulated by Mountain Lake Public School Superintendent Bill Strom.
The new MLHS alumni exited the auditorium to their recessional selection, “Hall of Fame,” by The Script.
The Class Motto selected by the seniors is: “Our lives are before us, our pasts are behind us, but our memories are forever with us.”
Class Colors are the traditional Maroon-and-Silver.
Senior Class Advisors include faculty members Brenda Feil, Shawn Naas and Kim Syverson.
Fifteen members of the class earned the distinction of being named an Honor Student. In order to achieve this honor, students must have maintained a 3.0 or “B” average in their high school years in all classes taken.
This year’s Honor Students, listed alphabetically, are:
* Rachel Dukes, daughter of Douglas and Martha Standerwick.
* Anna Engstrom, daughter of John and Tamara Engstrom.
* Mikayla Falk, daughter of Larry and Julie Falk.
* Brooke Fast, daughter of Curtis and Tammy Fast.
* Joshua Fast, son of Thomas and Marilyn Fast.
* Zachariah Fredericksen, son of Jeffrey and Heather Fredericksen.
* Joshua Grev, son of David and Kendra Grev.
* Andrew Hempeck, son of Larry and Jody Hempeck.
* Andrew Hirsch, son of Alan and Wendy Hirsch.
* Carter Kirk, son of Timothy and Sheila Kirk.
* Cheyenne Narber, daughter of Valerie Henao.
* Christian Pfeiffer, son of Wade and Janese Pfeiffer.
* Hannah Stoesz, daughter of Jerome and Marilyn Stoesz.
* Jordan Syverson, daughter of Steven and Kim Syverson.
*Aracely Zarate, daughter of Aracely Sifuentes.
Nine students were also recognized as National Honor Society members. These include Anna Engstrom, Mikayla Falk, Brooke Fast, Joshua Fast, Joshua Grev, Andrew Hempeck, Andrew Hirsch, Christian Pfeiffer and Jordan Syverson.