Inspiration from MLHS 2017 Commencement speaker Stephen Funk
THE MLHS CLASS of 2017 as they prepped for their Commencement. Front, from left, Brook Ann Sunderman, Lily Tian Yan Kauffman, Jaden Jo Hoek, Merel Fleur Caminada, Chandra Bailey Pfeiffer, Kalley Lorraine Rempel, Karen Soutthivong, Liana Marie Blomgen and Joshua Vorasane Mychackavane. Second row, from left, Alex Mathew Sunderman, Katherine Ann Hofmann, Rebekah Ann Klassen, Kenna Nicole Gardiner, Lexia Kay Peters, Yahayra Lizbeth Sanchez, Meredith Margaret Suess, Kassandra Abigail Tellez, Samantha Nicole Stahl, Ruben Fentanez Sifuentes and Samuel Japheth Grev. Third row, from left, Jared Jay Suderman, Ricardo Demetrio Garcia Jr., Shadrick Dennis Hoek, Jacob Daniel Suess, Hamlock Kitoy Tanyavong, Dylan Richard Krueger, McKenley Hayes Bryan, Cutter Jon Garloff, Julio Cesar Gutierrez Jr. and Jacob Alexander Wahdan. Back, from left, Isaac Nathaniel Quintero, Jordan Dean Suderman, Hunter Riggs Dahna, Samuel James Hirsch, Nathan John Regier, Aaron Isaac Fast, Thomas David Kraemer, Jack Michael Wendt and Andrew John Fast. (Photo courtesy of MLHS Class of 2017)
“The world needs you – just the way you are,” Commencement Speaker Stephen Funk told the 113th graduating class of Mountain Lake Public High School (MLHS) during exercises held Friday evening, May 26, in the school’s auditorium.
Funk, who is completing his fourth year as an Agriculture teacher and as one of three Mountain Lake FFA Chapter Advisors at MLHS shared with the 39 graduates of the Class of 2017, “Each and every one of you has a special plan crafted just for you,” at times fighting back tears,
He encouraged the young men and women to take risks in life, “Even in spots where you could bet ‘burned.’ You never know, things could also get snowballing in a positive direction.”
Funk impressed on the grads that, “Each of you are full of unlimited potential. The only thing holding you back is yourself. I am so proud of the Class of 2017. Every one of you was put here for a purpose.”
And, like a proper ag instructor, Funk closed his remarks by quoting the advertising slogan of John Deere – “The power of imagination . . .”
Graduation exercises opened with prelude music by the MLHS Senior High Band, under the direction of Mountain Lake Public School Instrumental teacher Kurt Jahnke. They also welcomed the Class of 2017 to the auditorium with the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.” During the program, the instrumentalists performed “Joy In All Things,” by Brian Balmages.
Mountain Lake Public School Vocal teacher Andrea Brinkman led the MLHS Senior High Choir in the selection, “Fly Away Home,” by Pinkzebra, as well as the Senior Class Choir’s number, “The Verge,” by Owl City.
Each of the class officers played a role in the evening’s program. Thomas Kraemer, secretary/treasurer, provided Words of Inspiration; Liana Blomgren, vice-president, introduced the Commencement speaker and Samuel Grev, president, gave the Class Response.
David Grev of the Mountain Lake Area Scholarship Program, distributed a number of scholarships to class members. Paul Metcalf awarded the “Bradley Behrends Memorial Award” to Liana Blomgren and Samuel Grev.
MLHS Principal Michelle Larson and MLHS Counselor Jody Lepp presented the class for graduation.
Awarding of diplomas was completed by Mountain Lake Public School (MLPS) School Board Treasurer Pamela Hoek and MLPS School Board Director Thomas Fast, along with MLPS Superintendent William Strom.
The new MLHS alumni exited the auditorium to Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind.”
The Class of 2017 selected as their Class Motto a quote from the lyrics of McGraw’s “My Little Girl” – “Chase your dreams, but always know the road that will lead you back home.”
Class colors were the traditional maroon-and-silver.
Senior Class Advisors are Brenda Feil, Shawn Naas and Kim Syverson.
Below is a photo gallery from the Frriday evening Commencement:
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY members from this year’s graduating class. Front, from left, Kalley Rempel, Liana Blomgren, Karen Soutthivong, Rebekah Klassen and Lily Kauffman. Back, from left, Thomas Kraemer, Samuel Hirsch, Samuel Grev and Katherine Hofmann.
TWENTY-THREE MEMBERS of the Class of 2017 earned recognition as Honor Students. Front, from left, Katherine Hofmann, Chandra Pfeiffer, Kalley Rempel, Karen Soutthivong, Rebekah Klassen, Lily Kauffman, Kassandra Tellez and Jaden Hoek. Middle, from left, Samuel Grev, Liana Blomgren, Meredith Suess, Brook Sunderman, Lexia Peters, Kenna Gardiner and Yahayra Sanchez. Back, from left, Jordan Suderman, Thomas Kraemer, Samuel Hirsch, Nathan Regier, Aaron Fast, Andrew Fast, Jared Suderman and Shadrick Hoek.
THE FINAL APPEARANCE of the MLHS Class of 2017’s five sets of twins. From left, Jaden Hoek, front and Shadrick Hoek, back; Meredith Suess, front and Jacob Suess, back; Andrew Fast, front and Aaron Fast, back; Brook Sunderman, front and Alex Sunderman, back and Jared Suderman, front and Jordan Suderman, back.
ONE OF THE three advisors for the senior class, Shawn Naas, pedaled in a special graduation gift for Karen Soutthivong.
THE GIFT WAS actually an old memory for Karen, a bicycle she had brought to school to use in her sophomore phy ed class with Naas – and had just left at school – until now. Class members gathered around for one final class meeting before taking to the auditorium and their graduation ceremony.
AS THE SENIOR High Band, under the lead of Mountain Lake Public School’s Director of Bands Kurt Jahnke, presented the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” processional, Liana Blomgren, front and McKenly Bryan, back, began their entrance into the auditorium. Bryan wore an unusual cord under under his gown – a red cord – along with a pin from the American Red Cross on his gown saluting him for his consistent donations, including double-red, to the Bloodmobile.
JULIO GUTIERREZ, RIGHT, gave one last hug as a student to MLHS English teacher and one of three Senior Class advisors, Kim Syverson, left. The next time he saw her, Julio was an MLHS alumnus.
THIS TRIO OF trumpeters performed one final number with the Senior High Band on “Joy In All Things,” by Brian Balmages. From left, Aaron Fast, Shadrick Hoek and Nathan Regier.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER STEPHEN Funk, MLHS ag teacher and one of three advisors for the Mountain Lake FFA Chapter.
A FAREWELL SONG with the Senior High Choir. Katherine Hofmann, left and Kassandra Tellez, right, joined Kayla Vonk, second from left and Emma Stade, second from right, along with the rest of the choir, as they shared “Fly Away Home,” by Pinkzebra. Mountain Lake Public School Director of Choirs is Andrea Brinkman.
ALL 39 MEMBERS of the MLHS Class of 2017 gathered to present the Senior Choir number, “The Verge,” by Owl City. “Out on the verge of the rest of our lives tonight. Top of the world and we’re dressed to the nines tonight. Edge of the earth and we’re touching the sky tonight. Out on the verge of the rest of our lives.” Font from left, Kassandra Tellez, Brook Sunderman accompanying on guitar and Samuel Hirsch, accompanying on saxophone. First row on risers, from left, Yahayra Sanchez, Samantha Stahl, Chandra Pfeiffer, Lexia Peters, Katherine Hofmann, Karen Soutthivong, Liana Blomgren, Kenna Gardiner, Rebekah Klassen, Kalley Rempel, Meredith Suess, Jaden Hoek and Lily Kauffman. Middle, from left, Jack Wendt, Andrew Fast, Jacob Suess, Alex Sunderman, Joshua Mychackavane, Julio Gutierrez, Ruben Fentanez, Shadrick Hoek, Hamlock Tanyavong and Merel Caminada. Back, from left, Aaron Fast, Nathan Regier, Jordan Suderman, Hunter Dahna, Cutter Garloff, Jacob Wahdan, McKenly Bryan, Dylan Krueger, Thomas Kraemer, Isaac Quintero, Jared Suderman, Ricardo Garcia and Samuel Grev.
MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC School (MLPS) School Board Director Thomas Fast, right, awarded Ruben Fentanez his diploma. At back, from left, MLHS Principal Michelle Larson, Ricardo Demetrio Garcia Jr., Kenna Gardiner, Cutter Garloff and Samuel Grev. Fast additionally had the honor of presenting diplomas to his twin sons, Andrew Fast and Aaron.
JOSHUA MYCHACKAVANE, RIGHT, was all smiles as he received his diploma from MLPS School Board Treasurer Pamela Hoek, left. At back, from left, Dylan Krueger, Nathan Regier and Chandra Pfeiffer. Hoek was also able to personally award diplomas to her twin daughter and son, Jaden Hoek and Shadrick Hoek.
MEREDITH SUESS, RIGHT, received her diploma from MLPS School Board Director Thomas Fast, left. At back, waiting her turn in the spotlight, is Brook Sunderman.
MLPS SUPERINTENDENT William Strom, left, congratulated Kassandra Tellez, right, one of 39 new MLHS alumni.
A PROUD AND excited Kalley Rempel exited the ceremony – diploma in hand – to the Tim McGraw song, “Humble and Kind.”
A CONGRATULATORY HANDSHAKE between classmates – now MLHS graduates – Hamlock Tanyavong, left and Lily Kauffman, right.
THIS THREESOME STRUCK a Heisman Trophyesque pose before leaving the stage. From left, Jack Wendt, Jacob Wahdan and Thomas Kraemer.
YES – SAMUEL GREV’S ever-present fanny pack (this one, gray; one of eight different colors he has in his assortment) “participated” in the ceremony. Sam had it snapped around his waist and tucked under his gown – at least until the recessional.
GRANDMA CHERYL DICK, center, was always there to serve as a taxi driver in order to get the Sunderman twins – Brook, left and Alex, right – to school on time (until they were old enough to drive themselves, that is).
NEW MLHS ALUMNA Rebekah Klassen, right, received congratulations from her young friend, Yessenia Fentanez Sifuentes, left. Yessenia’s brother, Ruben Fentanez Sifuentes, was also one of the graduates.
MOM KARLA WENDT, left, beamed with pride that her son, Jack Wendt, right, was now a graduate of her alma mater – MLHS.
SAMANTHA STAHL, LEFT and Dylan Krueger, right, basked in their achievement.
THE CLASS OF 2017 posed for one more photo op before ringing “The Bell” 17 times in recognition of their graduation year. The bell, at home in front of the high school, was relocated years ago from its original spot in the bell tower on top of the 1904 school building. It was saved, restored, and for decades has been used by graduates to ring out their glad tidings.
