MLC teacher Scott Raabe addresses Class of 2017’s trio of graduates
“Said Conrad Cornelius O’Donnell O’Dell, my very young friend who was learning to spell, ‘The A is for Ape, the B is for Bear, the C is for Camel, the H is for Hair, the M is for Mouse, the R is for Rat . . . I know all letters like that. Through to Z is for Zebra, I know them all well,’ said Conrad Cornelius O’Donnell O’Dell. ‘Now I know everything anyone knows from beginning to end, from the start to the close, because Z is as far as the alphabet goes.’
“Then he almost fell flat on his face on the floor when I picked up the chalk and drew one letter more. A letter he had never dreamed of before. And I said, ‘You can stop if you want with the Z, and most people stop with the Z, but not me. In the places I go, there are things that I see that I never could spell if I stopped with a Z . . .
. . . “There’s no limit to how much you’ll know, depending how far on beyond zebra you go.”
Scott Raabe, Mountain Lake Christian (MLC) High School Bible/History/Literature teacher opened his Graduation Address to the Class of 2017’s trio of graduates quoting the author Dr. Seuss from his book, “On Beyond Zebra.” Commencement Excercises were held this afternoon (Saturday, May 27), in the Alliance Missionary Church in Mountain Lake.
The three graduates included Danica Dick, Katelyn Fast and Levi Stoesz.
Basing his address on the words of Seuss, Raabe tied them with the “on beyond zebra” moments can – and does – provide.
Life experiences provided the students through MLC, especially on mission trips, pulled each of the three out their comfort zones; these were their God-provided going “on beyond zebra” moments.
In addition, Raabe noted that God sees “the whole parade. God sees the from beginning-to-end. He know where you fit in – and where you are going. Because of this God does not have words such as despair, hoplessness or dead end. He knows deliverance, new beginnings and grace-beyond-grace.
Lastly, Raabe acknowledged that all three soon-to-be graduates have made great plans for their futures. “But,” he continued, “don’t be surprised if at some point God reaches out – in an ‘on beyond zebra’ moment – with something new, to take you into the unknown.”
Presenting “Pomp and Circumstance” was another MLC teacher, Brittany Siebert.
The husband-and-wife duo of Aaron and Nikki Petersen shared the vocal selection, “All The Way My Savior Leads Me,” with Nikki on keyboard and Aaron on guitar. Aaron is the K-12 MLC Vocal and Instrumental Music director.
Dr. Michael James, MLC Administrator, presented the welcome and prayer.
The MLC Worship Team, comprised of graduating seniors Danica Dick and Katelyn Fast, along with Aaron Petersen, Nikki Petersen and Slade Harder, led in Praise and Worship music.
Two staff members, Rachel Knutson, Acacia (Grades 1 and 2) teacher and Dee Ann Stoesz, administrative assistant, were each recognized by Dr. James for 20 years of service to the school.
Dr. James also honored the Class of 2017’s Levi Stoesz as valedictorian, the senior with the highest academic achievements of the class, as well as Danica Dick, salutatorian, the senior with the second highest academic achievements of the class.
The three seniors shared a reflection on their 13 years at MLC, noting that, although the class is small, each of its members is so different. They also acknowledged that MLC had helped them grow, and had given them a safe place to succeed and achieve, as well as to fall – and get back up again.
The diplomas were presented to the graduates by Wayne Klassen, MLC Board Chair.
Wade Nelson, MLC High School Science teacher, closed the exercises with a Prayer of Dedication.
Following is a photo gallery from the graduation ceremony:
