By Janine Davis Record Staff Writer If joy was a color, it was Wildcat Blue Saturday night. The Wright City Class of 2014, along with family and friends, celebrated the school’s first outdoor commencement on a spectacular spring evening. While joy overflowed, the occasion was bittersweet since, as several speakers observed, this would be the last gathering of all classmates, many of whom grew up together. “Together, we’ve come a long way on a journey that’s ending on a beautiful night in May,” Wright City High School Principal Shawn Brown told graduating seniors and the crowd that filled the athletic field bleachers. Brown recounted his journey with a class that began their freshman year in August 2010, coinciding with his first year as principal. He noted both he and the class were nervous on that first-day meeting in the cafeteria. Now, four years later, Brown said, there was only pride in what the students had accomplished. “I commend each and every one of you for your dedication to the pursuit of success each and every day at Wright City High School,” Brown remarked, highlighting some of those successes. Academically, he said, the class has helped Wright City High School achieve dramatically improved test scores on all of the end-of-course exams, state assessments and Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Brown announced that more than $200,000 in local and college scholarships were awarded to graduates for college and career training. “The Class of 2014 pursued success athletically, too,” Brown noted. “This talented group of student-athletes led our cross-country team to chase a conference and district title. Together, the team qualified for state. They helped also to propel our boys basketball and track teams to great seasons.” He noted that a number of seniors would be competing at the sectional track meet the next day for a chance to move on to state. “I can stand here tonight, proud that the Class of 2014 has proven itself as capable leaders who have not let me down in doing all things in their life ‘The Wright Way,’ ” Brown said. Classmates Look Back, Cheer on the Future In her address to graduating seniors, Class President Brittany McPike urged her classmates to continue to step out of their comfort zones to gain well-roundedness and a diversified world view that will equip them to excel. Following McPike as second student speaker, Brendan Gierer strode up to the podium and coolly took out his written notes from beneath his mortarboard. He advised his classmates to take advantage of their youth. “We’ve got years still before we have to be boring and settle down, so let’s use those and forgive ourselves and each other for our slipups and our slights,” Gierer said. “For while we’re getting closer, we’re not yet grown up.” Final student speaker Joe Durand basked in the moment in front of his classmates, pausing before his remarks, to take a “selfie” with the Class of 2014 in the background. “It’s a graduation of the 21st century, people!” Durand exclaimed. His speech took the audience through a five-minute review of his 688-day learning arc from first day of high school as a freshman to the present. “It’s seems like yesterday was the first ring of that first school bell,” Durand concluded. “I wouldn’t choose any other class to graduate with.” Faculty Keynote “I want to thank the Class of 2014 for asking me to speak on one of the most important days of their lives,” said Susan Wright, who was chosen by students to give the faculty keynote. Wright drew from Dr. Seuss’ “Oh The Places You’ll Go” in inspiring graduates to fully explore the world that awaits them. “Explore the world and let the world know the new you,” Wright urged. “Now it’s time to choose, and I know you’ll choose well. “On your journey, don’t forget to be yourself; don’t try to hide who you are,” Wright said. “You’ve been blessed to grow up in a small town that possesses strong, small-town values, and you’ve forged lifelong relationships – teachers, principals, coaches, friends you’ve known since Kindergarten. We’ll all be here for you,” Wright added. Cum Laude Recognition Honored during the ceremony were seniors who had graduated cum laude. Those meeting the requirements of maintaining a minimum 3.5 GPA all four years of high school, completing one full-credit Advanced Placement (AP) class and participation in at least two extracurricular activities were Levi Box, Thomas Holstien, Kyle Lang, Austin Marsh, Brittany McPike, Zachary Murri and Shawn Nitchman. Magna cum laude graduates — those who held a minimum 3.7 GPA all through high school, achieved two full AP credits, and participated in three high school activities — were Jackson Bruening, Sara Hale and Jennifer Kleinkemper. Graduating summa cum laude with a minimum 4.0 GPA through high school, three full AP credits and four high school activities were Katy Adair, Joseph Durand, Chelsey Gawedzinski, Brendan Gierer and Benjamin Randolph. Students of the year were Brittany McPike and Benjamin Randolph. During the presentation of diplomas, class members and audience stood in recognition of classmate Chad Lewis as his father and brother walked to receive his diploma. Randy Lewis, Chad’s father, raised the certificate to the sky. As they lined up to walk in earlier, some graduating seniors expressed a giddiness that comes with the finality of years of study and a significant pause before moving on to new studies in college or career learning. Summa cum laude graduate Chelsey Gawedzinski chuckled about the prospect of having her name mispronounced when called to the podium (it was not) and described the next chapter of her life as “an adventure” as she goes on to study accounting and Japanese. Jasmine Bradshaw said she felt the gamut of emotions about the evening, including pride in herself for reaching this finish line. Bradshaw will study to become a registered nurse.
Wright City graduate Steven Soltysiak high fives high school principal Shawn Brown after receiving his diploma during the commencement ceremony held on Friday, May 23. Alvin Chenoweth hugs R-II school board member Laura Marsh. Derrick Forsythe photos.
