Commencement held Friday evening, May 12, in the school gym
Commencement for the 13 members of the Butterfield-Odin Public High School (B-OHS) Class of 2017 was held tonight (Friday, May 12) in the school gym.
Four of the graduates were recognized as Honor Students, with two of those receiving additional academic honors as Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Named Valedictorian, the student with the highest academic achievements of the class, was Brianna Ringen. Tiana Sengchan was presented as Salutatorian, the second highest in academic achievements in the class. Additional Honor Students included Heather Pankratz and Krisana Xayaphonesongkham.
Tiana Sengchan, as Salutatorian, welcomed all to the exercises.
The B-OHS Senior Band, under the baton of Director of Bands and Choirs Joshua Tonkin, welcomed the Class of 2017 into the auditorium with the traditional processional, “Pomp and Circumstance.” The band returned later in the ceremony, this time along with two senior musicians, to share the selection, “ Carry On My Wayward Son,” by Derry Livgren, arranged by Paul Murtha.
The choir, including four seniors in their final performance, presented under Tonkin’s lead “A Blessing,” by Jay Althouse.
Welcoming the seniors, their guests and audience to the Commencement was Butterfield-Odin Public School (B-OPS) Superintendent Ray Arsenault.
B-OPS School Counselor Tammi Samuelson presented to the audience those from the class who had received Senior Scholarships.
Class speakers Brianna Ringen, Krisana Xayaphonesongkham, Tyler Miller, Brenda Rodriguez and Joanna Zuniga shared the goals and ambitions for each of the 13 graduates as they head out into the world to carve out their own individual futures.
Following the Rose Ceremony (a presentation of roses to the special people in each of the graduates’ lives), Brenda Rodriguez and Krisana Xayaphonesongkham played the Class Video.
After the Presentation of Diplomas to the 13 graduates – including the turning of tassels – they became alumni of Butterfield-Odin Public School (B-OPS). The diplomas were awarded by B-OPS School Board Chair Kristy Haseman, along with Superintendent Ray Arsenault. B-OPS School Board Vice-Chair Pam Xayaphonesongkham awarded the diploma to her daughter, Krisana Xayaphonesongkham.
Honored throughout the course of the evening was B-OPS faculty member and senior class advisor, Wendi Anderson, who passed away unexpectedly earlier in the week.
Valedictorian Brianna Ringen closed the graduation ceremony, presenting the farewell.
Junior escorts were Abbey McDaniel and Jorge Herrera.
Below, revisit the Commencement Ceremony through a photo gallery:
THE BUTTERFIELD-ODIN Public High School Class of 2017. Seated, from left, Brianna Lee Ringen, Ruben Ismael Suarez Jr. and Jose Roldolfo Arreola Gomez. Back, from left, Brenda Janeth Rodriguez, Victoria SanMiguel, Joanna Lizbeth Zuniga Ariaas, Tiana Lei Sengchan, Rachel Sarah Joramo, Bruce Wayne Ringham, Tyler James Miller, Krisana O. Xayaphonesongkham, Corey Cowell Jr. and Heather Marie Pankratz.
THE QUARTET OF Honor Students. From left, Heather Pankratz, Brianna Ringen, Tiana Sengchan and Krisana Xayaphonesongkham. Brianna Ringen was additionally recogtnized as Class Valedictorian, the student with the highest academic achievements of the class, and Tiana Sengchan was named Class Salutatorian, the second highest in academic achievements in the class.
BRUCE RINGHAM MAKES his entrance into the gymnasium during the “Pomp and Circumstance” processional. Behind right, his classmates wait their turn to walk. At back left, Butterfield-Odin Public High School English teacher Dawn Johnson, a senior class advisor.
JOSE ARREOLA GOMEZ is all smiles as he takes his first steps in the ceremony to receive his high school diploma.
DURING THE ROSE Ceremony, Krisana Xayaphonesongkham, right, has a red rose – and a huge hug – for her mom, Pam Xayaphonesongkham, left.
BONDS WITH UNDERCLASSMEN become tight over the school years, and leaving is hard to do. Brianna Ringen, right, finds the truth in that, but leaves behind for those younger a path to follow as a role model.
JOANNA ZUNIGA ARIAAS wipes the tears from her eyes when she greets her classmate, Brenda Rodriguez, as they exchange roses during the traditional Rose Ceremony.
RACHEL JORAMO, RIGHT, receives her diploma from Butterfield-Odin Public School (B-OPS) School Board Chair Kristy Haseman, center. Waiting to congratulate Rachel is B-OPS Superintendent Ray Arsenault, left.
A QUICK ON-STAGE photo op as Heather Pankratz, right, is awarded her diploma. Pictured with Heather are presenters, Superintendent Ray Arsenault, left and School Board Chair Kristy Haseman, center.
A TURN OF the tassels – and they are Butterfield-Odin Public High School alumni. At left, Tiana Sengchan, and at right, Ruben Suarez Jr.
TYLER MILLER IS caught up in that moment of realization that high school is now behind him. Tyler is wearing a red-white-and-blue Military Honor Cord, recognizing his service with the United States Army National Guard.
VICTORIA SANMIGUEL EXITS the stage, high school diploma in hand, looking ahead to an exciting future. Each of the students was also presented with a helium-filled white balloon they released outside, sending skyward “Fly High” memories of Wendi Anderson, their senior class advisor and Butterifeld-Odin Public School faculty member.
THE LATE WENDI Anderson, senior class advisor and Butterifeld-Odin Public School faculty member, was remembered with a place of honor during Commencement, alongside the podium – and the diplomas for each of the 13 graduates.
