Commencement speakers Julie Tatro, Nathan Fast, throw out that challenge for action to the B-OHS Class of 2015
Joining forces for a Commencement address “duet” were Butterfield-Odin Public High School (B-OHS) teachers Julie Tatro and Nathan Fast. Both Tatro, a science instructor and Fast, an English and English as a Second Language teacher, are leaving the school district following this school year.
The pair shared with the 24 graduating seniors that, in life, there are many opposites – liberal-conservative, right-wrong, sweet-sour, devil-angel, success-failure, thin-fat, beauty-the beast. They presented the idea that there are lessons to be learned from “opposites;” those who have differing views.
Tatro and Fast pointed that fact out to the Class of 2015 by telling them, “There are opposites among you; opposites that blend well together.”
Then, tossing a basketball to the graduates, Fast challenged them, “The ball is now in your court. What are you going to do?”
Welcoming the audience to the graduation ceremony were Jordyn Connell and Alicia San Miguel, salutatorians.
Introducing the speakers were Emmanuel Herrera and Edvin Perez Ambrocio.
Recognized by Butterfield-Odin Public School Superintendent Lisa Shellum as valedictorian was Stephanie Trejo, claiming a perfect 4.0 grade point average; with Jordyn Connell and Alica San Miguel named salutatorians.
The Senior High School Band, under the baton of David Stordalen, shared the traditional processional, “Pomp and Circumstance,” as well as “Carry On My Wayward Son. Director of Choirs Sarah Cartwright led the Senior High Choir in “By Your Side and in Your Heart.
The audience and members of the graduating class viewed the Class Video and Class Responses were shared by Harley Connell and LeMar Sengsouvanh.
Presenting the graduates from their diplomas as Butterfield-Odin Public School Board Chair Joel Penner, along with Butterfield-Odin Public School K-12 Principal Barry Schmidt, with Superintendent Shellum offering congratulations.
The Class Farewell was given by Stephanie Trejo, valedictorian.
The class selected as their Class Motto this quote from C. S. Lewis – “Isn’t it funny how day-by-day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different.”
As the Class Verse, the students chose 1 Timothy 4:12 – “Don’t let anyone look down on because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
The Class Song is “Swing Life Away,” by Rise Against. The trio colors of black, purple and silver are the class colors, with the class flower mirroring those colors – the silver-tipped purple rose.
The pair of white roses onstage were in memory of the brothers of Arely Anaya and Colton Nelson.
Chelsea Sykes and Dylan Hovdet were the Junior Attendants.
Below is a photo gallery from the ceremony:
THE 24 MEMBERS of the B-OHS Class of 2015. Front, from left, Alicia San Miguel, Katie Currier, Kathy Zarate, Harley Connell, Jordyn Connell and Arely Anaya. Second row, from left, Mia Rodriguez, Rogacion Martinez, Emanuel Herrera, Calvin Miller, Kayla Wallert and Stephanie Trejo. Third row, from left, Kevin Vue, Kenneth Vue, Jeremy Menssen, Jordan Clark, Glenda Hector and Edvin Perez Ambrocio. Back, from left, Edgar Ortiz, Colton Nelson, Cody Steinbrink, William Fast, LaMar Sengsouvanh and Trevor Davis.
CLASS OF 2015 Honor Students. From left, Arely Anaya, Stephanie Trejo (Valedictorian), Harley Connell, Jordyn Connell (Salutatorian), Alicia San Miguel (Salutatorian), Glenda Hector and Kayla Wallert.
SALUTATORIANS JORDYN CONNELL and Alicia San Miguel share the welcome to the Commencement exercises.
WITH A BIG smile, Jordan Clark returns to his seat onstage after fixing the sound system – for the last time – as the school’s official sound man.
ONE FINAL SONG with the Saints Senior High Choir for graduating senior Rogacion Martinez.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS JULIE Tatro, left and Nathan Fast, right, brought words of wisdom – punctuated with humor – for the gradautes’ use.
THE MEMBERS OF the graduating class enthusiastically engulf Tatro and Fast after the two completed their address to the students.
MIA RODRIGUEZ PLAYS the bass drum for a final song as percussionist for the Senior High Band.
THE CLASS RESPONSE was given by LaMar Sengsouvanh, left and Harley Connell, right.
DURING THE PARENT/Guardian Appreciation video, an emotional Glenda Hector is squeezed in a big bear hug by her dad, Robert.
HIS LEFT HAND full of red roses for family and friends who have special meaning in his life, Edvin Perez Ambrocio begins handing out the flowers, teamed with many hugs of gratitude and appreciation.
CODY STEINBRINK, LEFT, HAS one of his roses earmarked for his dad, Randy Steinbrink, left.
SHARING A SPECIAL moment are graduate and grandmother. At right is Kayla Wallert, with her grandmother, Doris Wallert, left.
ARELY ANAYA, RIGHT, receives her diploma from Butterfield-Odin Public School’s School Board Chair Joel Penner, left.
CALVIN MILLER, RIGHT receives from Board Chair Joel Penner, left, a handshake, an eye-to-eye look and hearty congratulations.
VALEDICTORIAN STEPHANIE TREJO, right – a perfect 4.0 grade point average student – receives a congratulatory handshake from Board Chair Joel Penner, left.
AFTER RECEIVING HER diploma, Kathy Zarate, left, combines a congratulations from Butterfield-Odin Public School Superintendent Lisa Shellum, right, with a photo op – those duties completed by her sister.
AND THEN – IT was THE moment – time to move from high school students to school alumni. Turning his tassel is Jeremy Menssen.
DIPLOMA IN HAND, Emanuel Herrera leaves the stage as a Butterfield-Odin Public School alumnus.
