The Morrison High School auditorium is nearly always a place of shared joy. So it was on Thursday, May 29, 2014, as 73 eighth grade students were promoted to high school before family and friends. Prior to the 7:00 p.m. exercises, student-produced videos were displayed on a screen above the empty stage. Later, before promotional certificates were presented to the students seated facing the audience, another DVD brought smiles and chuckles from the audience.
It began with snapshots of the boys and girls as grade schoolers, accompanied by Journey’s rock anthem, “Don’t Stop Believin’.” When the music changed to “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts, photos switched to students in multiple groups, class activities, team portraits, and field trips during their junior high years.
This was the 55th annual promotional exercise in Morrison, IL. It took the 8th grade Class of 2014 five minutes to file in and be seated. Lauren Bender, Madison Steines, and Kaleb McCoy played processional pieces and would end with the recessional music. The youths’ apparel indicated it was a special occasion predicated on planning. Many girls wore dressy dresses and heels. Boys wore dress pants/chinos, but no jeans. Some wore a tie with their “button” shirt. Someone had set a standard, and the boys and girls met it.
Retiring Superintendent of Schools Dr. Suellen Girard offered her last introductory remarks. She complimented the class and told them they would have many new opportunities to excel in high school. Choices included various classes, extra-curriculars, sports, and learning to drive. She urged them to become scholars; recent MHS graduates earned $1.5 million in scholarships.
Four students received American Legion recognitions from local Post #328. Member Jerry Brearton gave Honorable Mention certificates to Quinn Sedig and Kaleb McCoy. Isaac Damhoff and Madison Steines, shown at left with Brearton, also received a medal as Award Recipients. The Legion has 127 members, one of which is junior high Principal Darryl Houge. Hogue explained that students are nominated, and he pares down the list. Teachers and student peers vote for those who best exemplify the qualities of honor, courage, scholarship, leadership, and service.
Ashley Vegter was a member of the 2006 junior high class. She currently is studying Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois. In her Main Address, Vegter listed ten things she needed to hear eight years ago, when she sat on this stage.
- Don’t procrastinate.
- Try something new.
- Don’t gossip.
- Social media isn’t your diary.
- Put down your phone.
- Don’t judge a book by its cover.
- Spend time with your family.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- High school is not as scary as you think.
- Be YOU, not what others want you to be.
Art teacher Nick Bonneur stated this was the first class he taught. He then presented them to high school Principal Scott Vance. The latter welcomed the class and offered brief, but appropriate, advice, “Listen to what Ashley said.” This was his last opportunity to welcome a new group of students to MHS, as Vance will become the new Unit District #6 Superintendent of Schools after Friday, May 30.
It was the last time Principal Darryl Hogue officiated at the junior high ceremony. He has accepted the position of Superintendent of Schools in Fulton, IL. He and Cathleen Vegter, Vice President of the Board of Education, then presented promotional certificates to the new MHS Class of 2018.
Grant Abell, Kaleb Banks, Lauren Bender, Grace Berry, Avary Bielema, Benjamin Brackemyer, Blake Bramm, Rachel Burge, Derek Bush, Jacob Callihan, Janessa Callihan, Alexander Cartwright, Zachary Cartwright, Alexis Cassiberry, Kayleen Church, Dannica Connelly, Jordan Cromwell, Isaac Damhoff, Chase DeHaven, Tristan DeMay, Aaron Deter, Ethan Doebler, Reilly Dolan, Griffin DuBois, Carissa Ferry, Jonathan Fulton, Brian Gire, Rylan Hagerman, Randi Heusinkveld, Adam Lindstrom, Clarence Linke V, Samantha Makl, Grace Mayberry, Owen McClain, Kaleb McCoy, Landon McNeece, Allan Meinsma, Brad Miller, Allison Noble, Matthew Norman, Britt Ottens, Kelly Pannier, Seth Peterson, MacKenzie Petkus, Karrigen Pruis, McKenzie Renkes, Victoria Rennie, Kayla Saville, Jarin Schmidt, Corrie Scobee, Quinn Sedig, Linzie Severson, Joy Sipes, Grant Slater, Abigail Smith, Madison Steines, Jacen Stephenson, Mackenzie Stoecker, Morgan Stuhlman, Destiney Sumner, Jessica Todd, Makayla Troutman, Linda VanZuiden, Destinee Vegter, Dallas Wagenecht, Julia Walters, Trace Ward, Brenden Waters, Brayden White, Corbin Wilkens, Luke Wilkens, Seth Workman, and Katlin Zuidema.