Advice Commencement speaker Tammi Samuelson gave to the B-OHS Class of 2014
Tammi Samuelson, who has served as K-12 school counselor at Butterfield-Odin Public School for the past 14 years told the Butterfield-Odin Public High School (B-OHS) graduates at their Friday evening, May 23 Commencement exercises in the large gymnasium that, “You are not in Kansas anymore. You are beginning a journey that will change your life forever.”
She built on “The Wizard Of Oz” movie theme by sharing with the seniors three lessons that can be learned from the film.
The opening lesson stressed to them that in their lives they have had – and will have – lead characters that love them, teach them and guide them. “Then there are the supporting characters; those who apply direction and wisdom – or – be people who will be obstacles.
“Lions, tigers and bears . . . oh my!,” Samuelson exclaimed. With those words, she presented that the graduates will face challenges – but that they are to use resources so they do not have to go it alone.
Her third lesson drawn from Oz was to tell the students that they already have within them what it takes to get where they are going. “In the end, the characters in Oz learned they already had what they were wanting – the scarecrow, a brain; the tin man, a heart; the lion, courage and Dorothy, a home.
Her final piece of wisdom – “Stay calm and carry on” – is taken from a poster from the World War II era – encouraging England to maintain hope and keep moving forward – during – and after wartime.
She then presented a medal to each graduate, noting just one quality that each possesses:
Trista Andersen – overcomer.
Katrina Bischoff – optimism.
Jennifer Boyd – spirit.
Jonathon Clipperton – valor.
Tedra DeBates – perseverance.
Austin Friedrich – believe.
Jenika Hanson – dream big.
Sabrina McFarlin – imagination.
Monica Munning – confidence.
Bryanna Nelson – courage.
Lesley Perez-Tomas – faith.
Magaly Martinez – strength.
Manuel Rodriguez – potential.
Miranda Thurston – determinatioin.
Aaron Wollschlager – heart.
Elida Zaldivar – drive.
Recognized by Butterfield-Odin Public School Superintendent Lisa Shellum as valedictorian was Monica Munning, and Lesley Perez-Tomas as salutatorian.
The high school choir and high school band also presented selections, the audience viewed the Class Video and heard Class Responses from Aaron Wollschlager, Magaly Rodriguez, Sabrina McFarlin, Magaly Rodriguez and Lesely Perez-Tomas.
Presenting the graduates from their diplomas as Butterfield-Odin Public School Board Chair Kristy Haseman.
Below are some photographs from the exercises:
THE BUTTERFIELD-ODIN Public High School Class of 2014. Front, from left, Miranda Thurston, Lesley Perez-Tomas, Sabrina MacFarlin, Miranda Munning, Elida Zaldivar, Jennifer Boyd and Bryanna Nelson. Back, from left, Trista Anderson, Katrina Bischoff, Jonathon Clipperton, Austin Friedrich, Magaly Martinez, Tedra DeBates, Jenika Hanson and Aaron Wollschlager. Not pictured, Noel Gomez Andrade and Manuel Rodriguez.
