Class of 2016—

The Cook County High School gym was crowded with friends and family on Saturday, June 4, 2016 for the commencement exercises for the Class of 2016. Among the happy graduates leaving the gym after receiving their diplomas were Sam Kern (left) and Frankie Miller.

The 106th commencement exercises at Cook County High School got under way on Saturday, June 4, 2016 with the traditional playing of Pomp and Circumstance by the CCHS band. After the graduates had entered, Principal Adam Nelson welcomed all in attendance and introduced them, noting that the word that comes to mind when he thinks of the Class of 2016 is leadership.

Before the CCHS band played a fantastic musical selection Bond…James Bond, Director Kerri Bilben took a moment to thank the 16 seniors who had been with her for seven years. She too, noted their leadership and said they would be greatly missed.

The leaders of the class in scholarly achievement— Valedictorian Madison Roy and Salutatorian Sara Carman—took turns at the microphone sharing some last-minute thoughts with their classmates. But first, Valedictorian Maddy asked the audience to join the class in singing “Happy Birthday” to Dylan Works, who was celebrating not only graduation, but also his birthday on this momentous day.

Above left: Valedictorian Madison Roy was all smiles at the podium during her address. Above right: Salutatorian Sara Carman gave sincere thanks to her classmates for the memorable experiences they have shared.

Madison shared a few “lessons” she had learned from teachers Mitch Dorr and Tim Dennison—“Important Life Lessons from Dorr and Dennison”—some serious, some silly. She summed things up by noting that with all that their teachers had taught them—on syllabus and off—the Class of 2016 was ready. She said, “I hope the world is ready for us, because ready or not, here we come!”

There was more music then, the lovely The Last Goodbye, sung by graduate Linden Sutton, accompanied by Tim Dennison on piano and Linden Figgie on cello.

The guest speaker selected by the Class of 2016 was Sue Nelson, the Cook County Middle School speech and language instructor, who started by saying this was the third time she had been honored to be the commencement speaker. “And let’s be honest, the first time was to your parents, 20-some years ago,” she said.

We did it! After Cook County High School Principal Adam Nelson declared that the 44 members of the Class of 2016 had fulfilled the requirements to earn their degrees, the graduates celebrated.

Nelson also spoke of leadership. She shared a message from a current eighth-grade student who had dedicated her autobiography to the class. The student wrote, “If I turn out half as successful as they are, I will have succeeded. If I become as determined, I will have accomplished another goal. The seniors this year have inspired me…”

Nelson gave each graduate a little gift bag filled with things symbolizing things they should remember as they go forward. And, she said, “Just wait. You’re going to meet so many cool people in your life. I’m so excited for them, because they get to meet you!”

The High School choir sang a final song with its graduating members, Things That Never Die, by Lee Dengler.

The Class of 2016 paused to remember a classmate who is no longer with them, Dylan Marshall, who was killed in an alcohol related crash on June 13, 2013. Before the Senior Slide Show, which included all of the graduates as well as a poignant vignette of photos of Dylan with his classmate through the years, slide show producer Trace McQuatters called forward the Marshall family. Representing the class, Trace presented his parents—James and Christy and sister Dakota— with a beautiful bouquet and said tearfully, “Dylan will always and forever be in our hearts.”

Above: Seniors Isabel Wahlers (left) and Shae Morawitz, in cap and gown, sang with the Cook County High School choir one last time. Left: Receiving special recognition for completing the welding program through Lake Superior College were (L-R) Frankie Miller, Leo Johnson, Jaret Baker. Presenting the certification was Jeremy Leffelman.

After the slide show and before diplomas were presented,

School Counselor Kris Hoffman also congratulated the graduates and noted that the 44 students of the Class of 2016 had already earned over 500 hours of college credits. Three seniors were called forward for special recognition of their work in the Tech 360 program. They each had completed 30 hours in the welding program at Lake Superior Community College and had earned welding certification. Coming forward to accept their certification from Jeremy Leffelman were Leo Johnson, Timothy “Frankie” Miller and Jaret Baker.

 

Teacher and commencement reader Ivy Church called students forward to accept their diplomas from Counselor Hoffman, Principal Adam Nelson, School Board Member Chris Goettl, Grand Portage Tribal Chair Norman Deschampe, and Faculty Member Mitch Dorr.

After diplomas were presented, tassels were turned, caps were tossed and the CCHS band played the recessional as the Class of 2016—the class of leaders— headed off into the world.