Fifty Graduate from PHS
Fifty seniors received diplomas at the graduation ceremony in the Pierce High School gymnasium on Saturday, May 14. The Pierce High band, led by student director Zachery Halsey, opened the ceremonies with the traditional processional music. Seniors marched around a large crowd seated in chairs, and in front of an even larger crowd in bleachers on both sides of the gym.
Senior class president Kellon Ronspies gave the welcome and introduced class first vice presidents Brock Schroder and Megan Gerteisen; second vice president Tad Fuchs; secretary Briana Adams; and treasurer Logan Sudbeck; who presented class T-shirts to their chosen teacher Mrs. Brenda Fleecs and to secretary Mrs. LuAnn Prahl.
The choir then took the stage with a vocal selection, directed by Mrs. Constance Jessen. After that Principal Mark Brahmer presented academic letters and honor graduates.
Academic letter winners are Briana Adams, her fourth academic letter with distinction (all A’s); Brady Bretschneider, his second; Jordan Brus, his first; Eva Chavez, her second; Tyler DeGroff, his fourth; Tad Fuchs, his fourth, with distinction; Megan Gerteisen, her second; Cierra Jensen, her first; Brock Schroder, his fourth; Connor Schultz, his second; Brittany Spieker, her fourth; Logan Sudbeck, his fourth, with distinction; and Emily Taylor, her fourth, with distinction.
Honor graduates must have at least a 3.7 out of 4.0 grade average and four academic letters, and must be in the top ten percent of their class. Because of a tie for valedictorian, there were six honor graduates: Briana Adams, Tad Fuchs, Brock Schroder, Brittany Spieker, Logan Sudbeck, and Emily Taylor.
Brahmer introduced Pierce’s Presidential Scholars, who have to be in the top fifteen percent in the nation on the ACT test and achievement tests and have a 3.5 grade point average or better. Those are Briana Adams, Brady Bretschneider, Tyler DeGroff, Tanner Dickey, Tad Fuchs, Kellon Ronspies, Brock Schroder, Connor Schultz, Logan Sudbeck, and Emily Taylor.
Briana Adams and Logan Sudbeck received recognition as scholar-athletes of the year.
Class valedictorian awards went to Emily Taylor and Logan Sudbeck, and salutatorian award went to Tad Fuchs. Fuchs said in his speech: “ Our road has been smooth and bumpy, and we have had great losses in our lives, but we have overcome them.” Valedictorian Logan Sudbeck thanked all of the teachers and staff and said good luck to seniors, and Emily Taylor said, “Instead of saying I hope you succeed in the future, I will say ‘I know you will.’” To the delight of the seniors, she quoted Billy Madison and then talked about the laughter the class of 2011 has shared.
Mrs. Mary Birch spoke and then presented the class with scholarships they had won up until the day of graduation: $660,395 in awards for post-secondary education; $174, 430 in military scholarships.
Samantha Stamp and Megan Gerteisen showed a slide presentation they had created for the senior class; then Superintendent Daniel Navrkal presented the Class of 2011, and school board president Jacque Collison gave each his or her diploma.
The ceremony concluded with the recessional by the Pierce High School band as seniors marched out and to the front of the school to receive congratulations from the community.
The JaysZone, led by Mrs. Crystal Bauermeister, webcast the ceremony.
Junior class ushers were Alyssa Blair, Brandon Freeman, Ashton Johnson, Katherine Lockee, Jarold McWilliams, Amy Venteicher, Laurie Venteicher and Payton Wragge.
The class flower is the rose; colors are royal blue and white; sponsor is Mr. Don Wood.
