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Charlo community honors graduating seniors

Issue Date: 5/27/2010
Last Updated: 4/28/2014 3:45:58 PM | By Kate Haake  

CHARLO — Charlo’s 27 seniors dressed in purple gowns and expressing a mixture of cheerful smiles and tearful goodbyes, proudly crossed their high school stage for the last time on Sunday afternoon.

The graduation started at 3 p.m. with a slide show, portraying the seniors in various stages of life — from infants to graduating adults. 

When the graduating class walked down the center aisle in the gymnasium, mothers, fathers and grandparents maneuvered closer to snap pictures of their graduating senior. Some of the seniors planned poses and choreographed little jigs to celebrate their special day.  

Two underclassman, Deondra and Sienna Brown sang “Don’t Forget to Remember Me,” by Carrie Underwood. The sisters sang the song acapella to honor the graduating class, impatiently waiting to receive their diplomas.

Salutatorian Victoria Jensen gave the first speech followed by the two valedictorians, Kristi Fullerton and Stephanie Maughan.

Kristi Fullerton, daughter of Kent and Lynn Fullerton, was the happy recipient of 11 scholarships, including the Concordia College Presidential Distinction Award for $56,000. 

Stephanie Maughan, daughter of Ben and Melodie Maughan proudly received 11 different scholarships, while Victoria Jensen, daughter of Dawn Atchley and Roger Jensen was the recipient of 12 scholarships. 

Other noteworthy scholarship winners included Courtney Couture, who received the Mark K. Ulmer Memorial Native American Scholarship for $16,000 and Jesse Kingery, who received the Concordia College Excellence Scholarship for $36,000.

Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Kingery gave the commencement address. In the speech he advised the students on achieving success in life. Explaining that the principles for success are no secret but not well-practiced, he listed morality, ethics, integrity, respect and service as principles to live by. He reemphasized that the graduates were about to begin a new journey in their life and would need the five principles in their next journey and throughout their lives. 

“But you see graduates, when you cross this stage for the last time,” Jeff Kingery said, “you will start a new chapter in your life.”

Following the commencement address, seniors Makenzie Merwin, Jesse Kingery, Jaris Kelley, Kristi Fullerton, and Amber Rodgers sang a touching rendition of “Hallelujah.” The girls were accompanied by Wendy Sanders on the piano and Charlo student Spencer Shafter on the guitar. 

The students then lined up to receive their diplomas from school board chairperson Dianna Kelley, and Charlo Superintendent Paul Jenkins assisted the students by turning their tassels from the right to the left side, signifying the transition from candidate to graduate. 

“I’m just so proud of them,” Kelley said. “They are all good kids.” 

Kelley also noted that watching all the students cross the stage brought tears to her eyes and she expressed joy at seeing all of the students, especially those who struggled, graduate on Sunday. 

When Charlo’s graduating class of 2010 was presented by Charlo principal Steve Love, they tossed their graduation caps into the air in one great sigh of relief, happiness and anticipation of starting the next chapter of their young lives.

Charlo High School class of 2010 graduates:

Anderson, Jessica
Grandparents:  DeLyle & Cindy Paulsen
Shamrock Services LLC (Pat & Dianna Kelley) — $200
Lions Club Scholarship — $250
Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative Scholarship — $500
Clayton DeVoe Scholarship — $1500