Arlee graduates step out into the world
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ARLEE – English teacher Ashley Gaumer decided not to ask the big question of graduates while she delivered the commencement address during the graduation ceremony on Sunday afternoon.
Graduates, she explained, are asked countless times “what are you going to do next?” And she didn’t want to ask that, again. Instead, she asked “what is your passion?”
“Nothing is more important than finding what you love,” she said of their future career choices. She added that passion is what gets people excited about getting out of bed in the morning.
Zach Felsman stood at the podium to give the valedictorian address, a speech he thought about doing since his freshman year. The time, he said, went by quickly until the last two months before graduation, although he added: “I’m going to miss walking through the doors every morning.”
Many students are wondering about the future, so he offered a bit of advice: “When things get too difficult, don’t quit … fight through the struggles.”
Parker Holz delivered the salutatorian address with more words of encouragement for the future.
“We can make it,” he said.
The graduation ceremony was moved into the new gym for the first time in the hopes of utilizing the air-conditioning system and the larger space, but tradition held out. The cooling system was broken, so the ceremony was still traditionally warm.
The ceremony began with a Native American honor song by the Arlee Drum Group, and Katie Revis sang the Star Spangled Banner. Many in the audience couldn’t hold back the tears any longer as graduates presented roses to those who helped them make the day possible.
Scholarships were recognized by the school’s counselor Misty Brien. Diplomas were handed out by Principal Jim Taylor and School Board Chair Rick Desjarlais. Family and Consumer Science teacher Joyce Auer was honored at the ceremony for her 30 years of teaching with a dedication to service award.
2015 Arlee Graduates and Scholarships:
• Alexandra Adams: Gear Up Achievement Grant: $1,500
• Laine Joseph Charlo
• Kyler Austin Clinkenbeard
• Daniel Keith Dunlop
• Zachary Felsman: Valedictorian
Wilhelm Wurst Scholarship for Lake County: $3,000; Blackfoot Telephone Scholarship: $1,000; Muralts Family Foundation Scholarship: $1,000; Brian Bachmier Memorial Scholarship: $500; Arlee Athletic Booster Scholarship: $300; Arlee Community Scholarship: $300; Friends of Arlee Scholarship: $1,500; Grace Ritzman Foundation Scholarship $1,000; Graduation Matters Circle of Success Scholarship $1,000; Gear UP Achievement Grant $1,500; Montana State Premier Scholarship $1,000; Mission Valley Power Scholarship: $1,000; 2015 Montana ACT Student Readiness Award: $500; Grace Ritzman Scholarship: $1,000 Friends Forever Mentoring Big Brother
• Hannah Faith Hall
• Brandon Darin Tyler Hanken
• Kelsey Irene Harris: Friends Forever Mentoring Big Sister
• Paul Haynes: Gear UP Achievement Grant $1,500
• Parker Lee Holz: Salutatorian; Gear UP Achievement Grant $1,500; Friends of Arlee Scholarship: $1,500; Blackfoot Telephone Scholarships: $1,000; Pacific University Presidential Scholarship: $15,000 (4 years renewable); Pacific University Pacesetter Scholarship: $2,000 (4 years renewable); Pacific University Montana Student Achievement Award: 2,000 (4 years renewable); Outstanding Academic Performance of earning a 27 or higher on the ACT test
• Haley Rebecca McCormack
• Elizabeth Morigeau: Gear UP Achievement Grant $1,500; Outstanding Academic Performance of earning a 27 or higher on the ACT test
• Chance Joseph No Runner-Brazill
• Agnes Cecille Nomee: Friends Forever Mentoring Big Sister
• Amelia Marietta North: Montana State University Premier Scholarship: $1,000;AFT Teachers Union Scholarship: $250;Friends of Arlee Scholarship: $1,500; Gear UP Achievement Grant $1,500; Friends Forever Mentoring Big Sister; Jason Waite Memorial Scholarship: $750
• Violet Jeanne Pablo: Gear UP Achievement Grant $1,500;Friends Forever Mentoring Big Sister
• Kaden Joseph Elias Peak
• Katelyn Marie Revis
• Riley Rogers: Gear UP Achievement Grant $1,500
• Kianna Tristian Stotts: Gear UP Achievement Grant $1,500; Friends Forever Mentoring Big Sister
• Blake Carter Woken
• Violet Monique Lewis
• Dylan John Rause
