Class of 2012 Graduates
Sixty-five seniors graduated from Pierce High School on Saturday, May 12. They marched into the high school gymnasium, accompanied by music from the Pierce High band and Mr. Michael Sindt.
Class president Mason Rohrich said a welcome, and seniors Alyssa Blair and Payton Wragge presented Class of 2012 tee shirts to three staff members who had been a benefit to their class: activities director Mr. Gary Timm, senior class sponsor Mr. Don Wood, and maintenance supervisor Mr. Steve Dolesh.
The Pierce High choir under the direction of Mrs. Constance Jessen sang “Blue Skies” as a tribute to the seniors, with scat solos by Amy Fleer and Ethan Valverde.
Principal Mark Brahmer presented academic letters, presidential scholars, honor graduates, and announced the scholar-athlete award winners: Payton Wragge and Brandon Freeman.
Laurie Venteicher gave the salutatorian’s address, assuring classmates that in spite of challenges and stress, these were the best years of their lives–so far. Emily Steffensen and Payton Wragge had tied for valedictorian honors, and each had a short address. Steffensen spoke of celebrating yesterday, today, and tomorrow, when the class of 2012 will be adults with power to change the world. Wragge characterized the class of 2012 as “fortunate.” She mentioned specifically the good fortune of having Shelton Dvorak among the graduates and having had the teachers they had in PHS. She wished continued fortune for future senior classes.
Mrs. Mary Birch challenged the class of 2012 to “hero up,” and announced that to that day, class members had been awarded $899,485 in scholarships and grants.
Ashton Johnson had created a slide show of senior pictures with baby pictures, set to music, and she showed that to the assembly.
Superintendent Kendall Steffensen presented the class, and school board president Jacque Collison gave the graduates their diplomas. Then the class marched out of doors to receive congratulations as the band played the recessional.
In addition to class president Rohrich, other officers were Alyssa Blair, first vice president; Payton Wragge, second vice president; Ashton Johnson, secretary; Ellie Pytleski, treasurer. The class motto was, “Each of us has different talents, different dreams, and different destinations, but we all have the same power to make a new tomorrow.”
