Commencement exercises for the Cook County High School Class of 2009 included a number of goodbyes. Top: Few of the speeches given at graduation were more heartfelt than Kostya Senty’s brief message of appreciation to his adopted community. He finished with a wave and a simple, “All right!” Lower left: Valedictorian Leah Laky and Salutatorian Leah Sobieck wait for their turn to speak. Lower right: Jane Gellner gives a smile and a handshake to graduate Vallen Cook.
Commencement exercises for the Cook County High School graduating class of 2009 began on Saturday, June 6, 2009 with the traditional Pomp and Circumstance performed by the award-winning Cook County Band. Principal John Engelking welcomed the parents, grandparents, and community members to the ceremony in the high school gym. Engelking said he had just been interviewed for the Viking yearbook by students who asked him what his favorite memories of CCHS would be. “I had a hard time thinking of one thing. Academic or athletic achievements? Snow sculptures? I think it is this, graduation. This is the crowning moment for the members of the Class of 2009.”
Engelking said the journey to graduation was longer for some. He remembered two students in particular—Losha and Kostya Senty, who came to the United States from Russia. He remembered the two young boys who spoke only a few words of English and he marveled at how well they had adapted to life at CCHS. Engelking said Kostya had asked if he could say a few words at graduation, so Engelking yielded the microphone. Kostya said, “I just wanted to say thank you to my family and to my teachers, especially Mrs. Brandt, who helped me learn English so you can understand me today.”
Staff photos/Rhonda Silence
Thenit was time for the senior band members to join the band for a final performance, Soaring with John Williams. When the stirring performance ended, several seniors paused to give Band Director Bill Tormondsen a hug goodbye, wiping tears away as they returned to their seats.
Engelking said he was honored to introduce the guest speaker, noting that four years ago he also had the honor of being part of the interview process to hire a new English teacher. He said the school district made an excellent choice when it hired Michael McHugh, who, he said, opens his class by stating, “Hello, I’m Michael McHugh and I’ll be your teacher today,” followed by a poem each day.
McHugh stepped to the microphone and said although the community had gathered to honor the graduates, he wanted to take a moment to thank Engelking, who will be leaving the school district at the end of the year. “Thank you, Mr. Engelking, for making CCHS a great place to be and to grow.”
Then, he said Engelking had stolen a line of his speech, as he began, “Hello, I’m Michael McHugh and I’ll be your guest speaker today.”
McHugh then turned to the seniors, thanking them for asking him to be part of their special day. He asked them to look around the crowded gym. He pointed to the tearful parents in the audience, to the friends in the crowded gym, to the teachers and administrators on the dais. “Look at these people,” said McHugh. “These are the people who worked with you, who waited up nights for you, who encouraged you and worried about you.”
He said, “Just because you are graduating, does not mean these people will not stop waiting up for you, believing in you, encouraging you. Remember that.”
AFS students Ida Gulbrandsen (left) and Simone Sebastiano recalled happy days at Cook County High School.
McHugh noted that in a few moments the seniors would receive their diplomas, entering a new phase of their lives. He said some graduates will be off to college; some to the working world. He shared a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson and urged graduates to follow the advice of the famous essayist—to trust in their own intuition and “gut feeling”—as they go onto the next phase of their lives.
Two special seniors then spoke: the 2009 AFS exchange students, Ida Gulbrandsen and Simone Sebastiano. They both brought laughter to the crowd when they recalled that they knew nothing about Minnesota except that it was cold. Theyboth expressed appreciation to their host families and the community that welcomed them. They both said they would always remember their Grand Marais friends.
Engelking introduced the Valedictorian and Salutatorian, noting that every year since he came to CCHS, the speakers have been two girls, or two boys. “This year, we have two girls—and two Leahs!”
Staff photos/Rhonda Silence
Valedictorian Leah Laky and Salutatorian Leah Sobieck came to the microphone together. Leah Laky said her activities had been slowed during her senior year because of a volleyball injury. She said she had learned a lot by the alternatives offered in the community, such as WTIP radio. “My injury led to a different look at life in our small town and the support it offers,” she said, urging her classmates to remember one another and the community that supports them.
Salutatorian Leah Sobieck said she had the opportunity to live away from Grand Marais during high school. She said all the time she was away she felt a “gravitational pull” back to our community and the beautiful wilderness around it. She advised her classmates to “be inspired, to be comfortable in their own skin, and to remember those roots.”
Business Technology Teacher Jane Gellner and Marie Nordahl introduced the traditional senior slide show, compiled by Nordahl and Mary Curtis. For 15 minutes, the seniors were treated to glimpses of their lives together, from preschool to graduation. A music selection, Meaning, was sung by Katy Borud and Leah Laky with Leah accompanying on piano. The song ended with a hug and some more tears.
It was then time for the awarding of diplomas. Principal Engelking introduced English teacher Ivy Church, who he said, “brings out the best in her students.” He said that is why she has been asked, year after year, to read the names of the graduates. With her presenting diplomas was teacher Jane Gellner, teacher Marie Lindgren, School Board Chair Bill Huggins, and Superintendent Chuck Futterer.
When all the diplomas had been awarded, the band played A Joyful Fanfare and the proud graduates marched out after being presented the class flowers—a sunflower and a purple iris. TheClass of 2009 gathered on the lawn outside the school—to greet friends and family—and to share more hugs and tears.
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