Ronan graduates greet success through challenges
Linda Sappington
Ronan graduate Jenna Janssen said she nearly quit school due to family and personal issues, but made it to the end, earning the “Big G” award for overcoming the odds.
Linda Sappington
Graduate Andrew Clary
Linda Sappington
valedictorian kendra starkel
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Linda Sappington
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
RONAN — High school years offered an abundance of success and struggles for 62 Ronan students who celebrated during Sunday’s graduation ceremony.
Brittney Gaceta was surrounded by family and a plethora of balloons and leis, but her senior year was hardly a party as the graduate moved from California to Ronan just as school started.
She faced adversity with a new school system, but her teachers helped her “every step of the way,” Brittney said. “I wouldn’t have made it without the faculty … I cried to them, and they cried with me.”
She ended the year strong with ambitions to get her masters degree in creative writing. But first she’ll head to training with the National Guard.
“Moving to Montana really changed my life,” Brittney said. “I learned discipline and focus.”
Difficulty nearly derailed Jenna Janssen from getting her diploma. Yet on Sunday she was presented the “Big G” award from principal Kevin Kenelty. The award, in honor of longtime principal Dick Gallagher, is presented to a student who has succeeded and overcome adversity.
“Getting the Big G award was really great,” Jenna said. “It really was a struggle. So many times I thought I wouldn’t make it through because of family and personal issues.”
Graduating with honors, she’s on to “bigger and better things” as Jenna heads to the University of Montana for a pre-law degree.
Business is the career choice for graduate Andrew Clary, who said he’s going to North Idaho College. At Ronan High, Andrew said it was challenging to get everything in on time, but learned to “pay attention — to everything. I enjoyed high school, and I’m going to miss it a lot.”
During the ceremony, the Honors Song was drummed by Pondray with Stephen Small Salmon before the Honors Choir performed the National Anthem. The Ronan board of trustees presented diplomas and then heavily-decorated mortarboards were flung toward the gym roof. Finally the school band signaled it was time for graduates to head to the south lawn to greet well-wishers.
Kendra Starkel was Valedictorian, Hannah McGuyer was Salutatorian and Isaiah Asencio, senior class president, gave the commencement speech.
More than $1,100,000 was awarded in scholarships to the Class of 2015:
• Josie Adams, UM Resident Scholarship, $4,000; CSKT Higher Education Scholarship, $5,000
• Isaiah Asencio, CSKT Higher Education Scholarship, $5,000
• Samantha Ashley, CSKT Higher Education Scholarship, $5,000
• Gabriel Azure
• Madison Barber, UM, $1,000
• Hannah Bird Rattler, UM, $12,000; Northern Arizona University, $12,000
• McKenzie Leigh Cates
• Carson Chisholm, Superintendent Tuition Scholarship, $500
• Lauren Christopher
• Sydnee Clairmont, Muralt’s Scholarship, $1,000
• Andrew Clary, University of Great Falls, $11,000
• Lawson Conklin
• Bryce Cullen, MSU Premier Scholarship, $1,000; Pepsi Scholarship, $500
• Darian DeLaurenti, MSU, $1,000
• Gale Duffey
• McKenzie Dulmes, Pacific University Presidential Scholarship, $76,000; Whitworth University Presidential Scholarship, $72,000; UM, $2,000; St. Luke Community Healthcare Scholarship, $500
• Cedric Earthboy
• Bryant Ferrell
• Samantha Friedlander, Kings College Presidential Scholarship, $40,000; CSKT Higher Education Scholarship, $5,000
• Brittney Gaceta
• Daniel Gainan
• George (Trae) Garcia III, Mission Valley Masonic Lodge #78 Scholarship, $1,000; Golden Hammer Scholarship, $250
• Cole Gerhardt, University of Great Falls, $9,000
• Kaylanna Gustin
• Logan Hakes
• Danny Harris III, American Musical and Dramatic Academy tryout, $10,000
• Cassie Hawkins, CSKT Higher Education Scholarship, $5,000
• Charlie Hedrick III
• Zayna Irish
• Michael Irvine, CSKT Higher Education Scholarship, $5,000
• Jenna Janssen, Montana Academic Achievement Scholarship, $4,000
• Aspen Jore, Great Falls track, $13,000; University of Great Falls Presidential Scholarship, $11,000; Carroll College, $11,000; Rocky Mountain College, $11,000
• Hannah Kiehn
• Braden Kosola, Walmart Foundation Scholarship, $13,000
• Justin Krahn
• Cloyce LaForge
• Kohl Lawson-Voss
• Tate Lipscomb, Montana State Premier Scholarship, $2,500; Carroll College All-Saints Award, $44,000
• Dalton Marmon
• Trevar McAllister
• Micah McClure, University of Redlands, $90,000; Northwest College, Powell, Oregon, $12,000; MSU, $1,000; Montana Tech, $10,000, Northern Arizona University, $12,000.
• Colton McCrea, Whitworth Scholarship, $56,000; Ronan Women’s Club, $500; Valley Bank Scholarship $500; Mission Valley 3 on3 /Steve Woll Family Scholarship, $250; Community Bank Scholarship, $5,000.
• Hannah McGuyer, WUE Portland State, $40,000; Montana Academic Achievement Scholarship, $8,000; Montana Premier Scholarship, $8,000; Pacific University Honors Scholarship, $76,000; RPEA Scholarship, $500; Governor’s Best and Brightest MERIT Scholarships, $8,000
• Micah McKinster, Montana Premier Scholarship, $1,000
• Jesse Melton
• Iris Mara-Ortega, Rocky Mountain Presidential Scholarship, $30,000; Mission Valley Scholarship, $500
• Jayce Nenemay
• Haley O’Hern
• Jamie Olson
• Brittany Oschmann, Montana Academic Achievement Scholarship, $6,000; Mission Valley Scholarship, $500; Ebba Webb Scholarship, $1,000; RPEA Scholarship, $500; Dorrene Darlington memorial Scholarship, $2,000
• Glen Parker, Jr., CSKT Higher Education Scholarship, $5,000
• Danielle Richwine, Pepsi Scholarship, $500
• Laurel Rigby, Frank Rodgers Scholarship, $1,000; Casper College, $26,000; College of Southern Idaho, $34,000; Northwest College, Powell, Wyoming, $25,000; Lake County 4-H Scholarship $500, Casper College, $2,000
• Savahanna Rodriguez
• Timber Schauss
• Alejandro Segura
• Jenna Shepherd
• Cole Snyder, Rocky Mountain College, $27,000
• Kendra Starkel, PEO Sisterhood, Mission Valley Chapter BS, $500; Arizona State University Provost’s Merit Scholarship, $48,000; Barry University Merit Scholarship, $66,000; Purdue Merit Scholarship, $20,000; Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Competition, $250; Mission Valley Power Scholarship, $500; Arizona State University Incentive Scholarship, $1,000; Elks Scholarship Award, laptop and printer; SFI Scholarship, $40,000; Northwest Farm Credit Scholarship, $1,000; Mission Valley 3 on 3/Steve Woll Family Scholarship $250.
• Brook Tobol
• Bria Waldron
• Bryce Wier
