Valedictorian sings through St. Ignatius high school years
Karen Peterson photo
Karen Peterson photo
Valedictorian Carley Elverud walks across the stage to get her diploma after singing the graduates through four years of high school.
Karen Peterson photo
Students listen as recording artist Tim Ryan Roullier tells graduates that coming from a small school gives them an edge.
Karen Peterson photo
Students listen as recording artist Tim Ryan Roullier tells graduates that coming from a small school gives them an edge.
Karen Peterson photo
Karen Peterson photo
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
ST. IGNATIUS – During the 2014 Mission High School valedictory address, Carley Elverud didn’t want to give the same “today is a stepping stone” speech that she gave during her eighth grade graduation. Instead she sang lines of famous pop songs while outlining the last four years of high school.
She said as freshman, “We were living a teenage dream. As sophomores, we realized we are amazing and I was wishing I was one of those kids with the pumped up kicks. Then we got caught rolling in the deep and we told our friends, I won’t give up on you.”
As seniors she said, “We sang what, what, what, what.” She continued with “we scream and shout and let it all out because after 13 years we are finally done, and although we will never be royals, we can shoot for the stars.”
Patrick Eichert gave the salutatory address saying he learned a lot from teachers, including how to give a speech like the one he was giving. He thanked his class for “never a dull moment” and wished them luck in whatever they do next because “we can’t stay in the basement eating Cheetos and posting ‘selfies’ on Facebook.”
Tim Ryan Roullier, recording artist and 1981 Mission graduate, was invited back to his hometown to give the graduation address. He talked about his success in the music industry and his first job interview. He said he was nervous sitting in front of high-powered people in the music industry until he reminded himself of the things he’d done living in St. Ignatius.
“These two cats from New York City couldn’t last a day where I’m from,” he said. “They couldn’t buck bales, change pipes or hike to the top of the Garden Wall.”
Roullier explained that living in Montana gives people an edge and a strong work ethic.
“Living here creates a stubbornness and a toughness. How are you going to use your edge?” he asked of the graduates. “You can be as successful as you want to be.”
Retiring teachers were recognized during the ceremony for their years of teaching. Middle School History Teacher John Fleming was thanked for 40 years of teaching and Music and Art Teacher Dixie Daniels for 35 years.
“Keep a song in your heart,” Daniels said.
The St. Ignatius Class of 2014 includes: Briar Holly Ahlborn, Kayla Ann Billette, Mariam Lewellyn Branson, Jarred Ellis Brown, Courtney Summer Charlo, Karl Erik Daniels, Cierra Joy Dougherty, Kaylie Nicole Durglo, Patrick Nikoda Eichert, Carlene Nichole Elverud, Stuart Charles Grant, Tanner Scott Hart, Michael Richard Heath, Ryce James Hegwood, Katelyn Brianne Hogge, Aaron Conner Johansen, Gina Summer Linsebigler, McKenzie Rose McElderry, Dalton L. O’Hern, Leon Richard Ochs, Timothy Lee Ranel, Morgan Sage Schultz and Brandon Lane Wilber.
Scholarship recipients received a total of $303,360.
Briar Holly Ahlborn – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant, $500 Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative and a $3,000 Salish Kootenai College Tuition Waiver.
Kayla Billette – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant and a $250 Fayler Family Memorial scholarship.
Mariam Branson – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant, $20,000 from CSKT Higher Education and a $3,000 Salish Kootenai College Tuition Waiver.
Jarred Brown – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant, UM Resident Scholarship and a $3,000 Salish Kootenai College Tuition Waiver.
Courtney Charlo – $20,000 from CSKT Higher Education and a $3,000 Salish Kootenai College Tuition Waiver.
Karl Daniels – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant and an $8,000 UM Resident Scholarship.
Cierra Dougherty – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant.
Kaylie Durglo – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant, $10,000 MSU Premier, $1,000 Mission Valley Masons and a $3,000 Salish Kootenai College Tuition Waiver.
Patrick Eichert – $22,600 Gear Up Pathways Scholarship, $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant, $10,000 MT Tech Chancellor’s Award and $1,250 from Missoula Plan Exchange.
Carlene Elverud – $50 American Legion Civic Scholarship, $500 Rosemary Miller Memorial, $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant, $4,000 MSU Premier, $1,000 St. Ignatius Honor Scholar, $550 George and Faye Harris and an $8,000 Governor’s Merit.
Stuart Grant – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant and a $3,000 Salish Kootenai College Tuition Waiver.
Ryce Hegwood – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant, $1,000 St. Ignatius Parish Scholarship and $2,760 Flathead Valley CC Area Waiver.
Katelynn Hogge – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant, $250 Fayler Family Memorial and $50 Daughters of the American Revolution.
Aaron Johansen – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant.
Gina Linsebigler – $20,000 CSKT Higher Education and a $3,000 Salish Kootenai College Tuition Waiver.
McKenzie McElderry – $500 Beverly Hamel, $500 Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative, $1,000 Muralt Family Foundation, $500 Mission Valley Scholarship, $8,000 UM Resident Scholarship, $500 St. Ignatius Honor Scholarship, $250 Verne and Amelia Harris and a $300 PEO Scholarship.
Leon Ochs – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant and an $8,000 UM Resident Scholarship.
Timothy Ranel – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant and an $81,000 Montgomery GI Bill.
Morgan Schultz – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant and $50 from American Legion.
Brandon Wilber – $1,500 Gear Up Achievement Grant, $16,000 UM Resident Scholarship and a $500 St. Ignatius Honor Scholar award.
