On the following pages you’ll find spotlights on graduates ranging from preschool to high school. We thank the seniors and their parents who returned the information so that we could make this issue a little more special.
Congratulations to all graduates. Whether you’re moving up to kindergarten, advancing to a larger class, leaving the safety net of high school to enter college or get a job, or beginning a new career, we wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.
Brady Seuntjens
![]() |
Dallas Knudsen
![]() |
Caeden Colbert
![]() |
Emmett Dirksen
![]() |
Destiny Roling
![]() |
Chris Craig
![]() |
Joseph Hopkins
![]() |
Collin Lansink
![]() |
Noah Oberreuter
![]() |
Morningside College conferred 144 bachelor’s degrees and 147 Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degrees during its 110th spring commencement exercises held Saturday, May 10.
In addition to the 291 spring graduates, degrees were conferred upon August and December 2007 graduates, as well as students expected to graduate in August 2008.
Outstanding graduates were recognized with special awards in their fields of study. Sammy Wenger of Danbury received the Dr. Tom Curry Outstanding Business Student Award, given in memory of the late Tom Curry, who was associate professor of business administration and economics at Morningside from 1991 to 2005.
Toni Lacey and Sammy Wenger, both of Danbury, received their Bachelor of Arts degrees. Wenger graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Melissa Flanigan of Sioux City received her Bachelor of Science degree. Flanigan graduated Cum Laude.
Sara Schrank of Mapleton and DeRae Bettin of Odebolt received their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees. Bettin graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Tara Devlin of Anthon is expected to graduate in August 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She participated in the commencement exercises.
Kristen Westergaard of Mapleton will graduate in August with a Bachelor of Science degree. Westergaard will graduate Summa Cum Laude.
Renee Uhl of Danbury graduated earlier this school year with a Bachelor of Science degree. She participated in the May commenement exercises.
Tova Jessen is the daughter of Karen and Tim Jessen of Mapleton. She has five siblings, Eli, Isaac, Tira, Zoe, and Rayna. She is the granddaughter of Roger and Marlene Jessen of Danbury and Wayne and Zola Kafton of Mapleton.
Tova has been a student at Hosanna Hall for her educational experience so far in her life.
A wrestling fan, Tova was a manager for the MVAO wresting team. She is a very active 4-H member and a church youth leader.
Tova plans to go to the Siouxland College of Massage Therapy in South Sioux City.
Tova,
It has been a privilege to homeschool you for 13 years. You are a blessing to all of us.
Much love,
Mom and Dad
These students have made their way through sixth grade at Danbury Catholic and will be moving up to seventh grade at AOMV next year.
Karly Treiber
![]() |
Drew Boysen
![]() |
Charlie Nelson
![]() |
Cameron Sexton
![]() |
Hayley Seuntjens
![]() |
Sixty students were honored during graduation exercises on Sunday afternoon, May 18th in the Maple Valley-Anthon Oto High School gymnasium in Mapleton. Attired in maroon robes and black robes and wearing their class flower, the maroon hocus pocus rose, the class received their diplomas from Dale Wimmer, president of the Maple Valley Board of Education and Robert Clausen, member of the Anthon-Oto Board of Education. MVAO Superintendent, Dr. Steve Oberg, presented the class to the school board representatives. The class of 2008 selected the class motto, “Arise, go forth and conquer, for today is the first day of the rest of your life.”
The senior address was given by Derek Dougherty. The MVAO High School band, under the direction of Dennis Freking, played prelude music, the processional, and recessional. Eight juniors, selected by the senior class, served as ushers. Head users were Justin Hazard and Stephanie Allen. Other ushers included Alex Drea, Stephanie Jessen, Kristi Crilly, Sam Hanson, Cody Maynard, and Bryan Livermore.
Dan Dougherty, high school principal, presented the following awards:
Students graduating Magna Cum Laude, which is an overall grade point average of 3.5 or better: Jared Boyer, Bryan Boyle, Matt Boyle, Jessica Bruning, Derek Dougherty, Blaine Remmick, and Alex Wimmer.
Students graduating Cum Laude, which is an overall grade point average of 3.0 Ð 3.49: Chelsee Bumann, Kristin Carlson, Kyle Deeds, Aaron Dose, Beau Hanson, Tyler Maynard, Stephen Phillips, Nathan Rodenburg, Chris Sadler, Nate Sadler, Brett Schrank, Adam Seuntjens, Jamie VanCleave, and Jennifer Wilson.
State of Iowa Scholar: Jessica Bruning, Blaine Remmick, and Alex Wimmer.
Omaha World-Herald Academic Team Nominees: Blaine Remmick and Alex Wimmer.
Des Moines Register Academic Team Nominee: Jessica Bruning.
Governor’s Scholar Recognition Award: Blaine Remmick.
WIMECA Scholarships: from Mapleton Ð Blaine Remmick; from Anthon Ð Jared Boyer.
Iowa Federation of Women’s Club Voc/Tech Scholarship: Beau Hanson.
Maple Valley Education Association Scholarship: Derek Dougherty.
Gayland and Mary Sadler Memorial Scholarship: Jessica Bruning and Matt Boyle.
Alex Parker Family Memorial Scholarship: Elizabeth Berning.
S.T. Ranch Trail to Success Ð given by Jack and Pat Tatum & Family: Bryan Boyle.
Cargill Community Scholarship: Matt Boyle.
Lloyd and Rachel Olson Scholarships: College Students Ð Amy Bruning, Kristina McGrain, Michele Pierce, and Preston Pierce. High School Students Ð Bryan Boyle, Matt Boyle, Jessica Bruning, Chelsee Bumann, Laci Huck, Blaine Remmick, Nathan Rodenburg, and Alex Wimmer.
Bob Peterson Ð Helping Young Adults Be All They Can Be Scholarships Ð given by the Bob and Ginny Peterson Foundation: Bryan Boyle, Matt Boyle, Wes Burkhart, Beau Hanson, and Jennifer Wilson.
PEI Teacher of Tomorrow Scholarship: Derek Dougherty.
Siouxland Community Blood Bank Gift of Life Scholarship: Bryan Boyle.
Masonic-Eastern Star Scholarships of Anthon Scholarships: Bryan Boyle and Jennifer Wilson.
Vesper Lodge #223 Scholarship: Laci Huck.
Bill Ferns Anthon Alumni Scholarship: Jared Boyer, Zach Gothier, and Jennifer Wilson.
Maple Valley School Foundation Scholarships: Kallie Clausen, Derek Dougherty, Kyle McBride, and Matt Boyle.
Danbury Nuns on the Run Scholarships: Bryan Boyle and Aaron Dose.
Monona County Community Partners Foundation Scholarship: Alex Wimmer.
First State Bank of Danbury, Battle Creek, Ida Grove, and FSB Bank PLUS+ of Mapleton Scholarships: Tyler Maynard, Jessica Bruning, Aaron Dose, Kyle McBride, and Kallie Clausen.
Heritage Bank of Anthon Scholarship: Wesley Burkhart.
Valley Bank & Trust, L.A. Amundson Scholarship Fund: 2nd Year College Students: Seth Anderson, Tabby Allen, Angie Flanigan, Laura Hoaglund, David Trimpe, Andy Wray, Travis Cameron, Jared Clausen, and Steffany Treiber; 1st Year High School Seniors: Beau Hanson, Abbi Bendixen, Lindsey McGrain, Chris Sadler, Nate Sadler, Jordan Schoenfeld, Jamie Van Cleave, and Alex Wimmer.
Western Iowa Telephone Scholarship: Wesley Burkhart and Laci Huck.
Oto Alumni Scholarship: Bryan Boyle and Laci Huck.
Monona County Farm Bureau Scholarship: Beau Hanson.
Geri Johnson Farm Bureau Scholarship: Jessica Bruning and Alex Wimmer.
Monona County Cattlemen’s Scholarship: Jessica Bruning and Beau Hanson.
Mapleton Rotary Scholarship: Matt Boyle.
Burgess Health Center Auxiliary Scholarship: Matt Boyle.
Cleo Tippery Memorial Scholarship: Janessa Rhode (current college student).
Air Force Outstanding Math and Science Student: Blaine Remmick.
National Honor Society: Bryan Boyle, Matt Boyle, Jessica Bruning, Aaron Dose, Derek Dougherty, Beau Hanson, Jennifer Wilson, and Alex Wimmer.
Current Gold Club Members: 1 Year Members: Chelsee Bumann, Beau Hanson, Tyler Maynard, Kyle McBride, Lindsey McGrain, and Adam Seuntjens. 2 Year Members: Kristin Carlson. 3 Year Members: Jared Boyer, Bryan Boyle, Matt Boyle, Jessica Bruning, Aaron Dose, Derek Dougherty, Blaine Remmick, Nathan Rodenburg, Jamie VanCleave, and Alex Wimmer.
President’s Academic Excellence Awards: Jared Boyer, Bryan Boyle, Matt Boyle, Jessica Bruning, Derek Dougherty, Blaine Remmick, and Alex Wimmer.
Bernie Saggau Award: Derek Dougherty.
MVAO Citizenship Award: Kallie Clausen and Tyler Walsh.
D.A.R. Good Citizen Award: Alex Wimmer.
Iowa Bar Association Citizenship Awards: Maple Valley: Alex Wimmer; Anthon-Oto: Bryan Boyle.
Other Scholarship Recognition:
Abbi Bendixen: Monona County 4-H Scholarship, College Now Scholarship from Western Iowa Tech.
Jared Boyer: Presidential Scholarship, STEM scholarship, College Now Scholarship, Isadore Rocklin Annual Campaign Scholarship from Western Iowa Tech.
Bryan Boyle: George Rhea Jackrabbit Guarantee Scholarship from South Dakota State University.
Matt Boyle: Woodbury County REC Scholarship.
Jessica Bruning: Iowa State University President’s Award for Competitive Excellence, Monona County 4-H Scholarship.
Chelsee Bumann: Mass Communications Award, Mustang Co-Curricular Award from Morningside College.
Kristin Carlson: College Now Scholarship from Western Iowa Tech.
Aaron Dose: Woodbury County REC Scholarship.
Derek Dougherty: Connections Award, Morningside Alumni Grant, Mass Communications Grant, Creative Writing Grant, Achievement Award, President’s Scholarship from Morningside College, St. John’s United Methodist Church Endowment Scholarship.
Zach Gothier: In-State Tuition Academic Award from Wayne State College.
Beau Hanson: Monona County 4-H Scholarship.
Jeremy Heizelman: Promise Plus Coyote Grant, Preliminary Scholarship Award from the University of South Dakota.
Ashley Hill: College Now Scholarship from Western Iowa Tech.
Courtney Holton: Western Iowa Tech Board Scholarship, College Now Scholarship from Western Iowa Teach.
Kalana Mauch: College Now Scholarship from Western Iowa Tech.
Stephen Phillips: President’s Scholarship, Art Scholarship from Morningside College.
Blaine Remmick: UNO Advantage Scholarship from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Nathan Rodenburg: Dean’s Scholarship, Computer Scholarship from Morningside College.
Chris Sadler: Music Participation Grant, Academic Scholarship, McGowan Iowa Endowed Scholarship, Men’s Wrestling Scholarship from the University of Sioux Falls.
Nate Sadler: Nebraska Legacy Scholarship from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Jordan Schoenfeld: Academic Achievement Scholarship from Briar Cliff University, St. John’s United Methodist Church Endowment Scholarship.
Brett Schrank: Deacon’s Scholarship from First Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek.
Adam Seuntjens: Electrician’s Scholarship, Albert and Dorothea Hansen Annual Campaign Scholarship, Board Scholarship, a College Now Scholarship, Skills Competition Day Scholarship from Western Iowa Tech.
Cameron Tollufsen: College Now Scholarship from Western Iowa Tech.
Jamie VanCleave: Dean’s Scholarship, Connections Award from Morningside College, Monona County 4-H Scholarship.
Jennifer Wilson: Dean’s Scholarship, Athletic Grant from Morningside College.
Alex Wimmer: Bishop’s Scholarship, Connection Scholarship, a Music Scholarship, a Leadership Scholarship, and an Academic Achievement Scholarship from Briar Cliff University, Monona County 4-H Scholarship.
Kevin Zimmerman: Football Scholarship from Briar Cliff University.
Arise, go forth and conquer, for today is the first day of the rest of your life.
Tyler Maynard![]()
Tyler Maynard is the oldest son of Tracey and John Maynard of Smithland. His brothers, Cody and Dylan, are in high school at MVAO. He is the grandson of Dennis and Pat Petersen of Danbury and the late Ron and Margaret Maynard. |
Hallie Seuntjens![]()
Hallie Jo Seuntjens is the daughter of Jack and Marla Seuntjens of Mapleton. She has two older sisters, Katie and Emily. She is the granddaughter of Bette and the late Pirk Koenigs and Wayne and Mary Seuntjens. |
Justin Yockey![]()
Justin Yockey is the son of Scott and Connie Yockey of Anthon. He has an older brother, Chris. He is the grandson Marg Roark and the late Rich Roark, Fritz and Dorothy Yockey, and Al and Sandy Schreiber. His great grandmother is Lorraine Bottjen. |
Abbi Bendixen![]()
Abbi Lee Bendixen is the daughter of Ken and Deb Venteicher and Jim and Rachel Bendixen. Her siblings are Bridget, Courtney, Megan and Rachel Venteicher and Shana, Mandi, and Kelton Bendixen. She is the granddaughter of Ed and Diane Lampe, the late Sandra Schmidt, Jerry Bendixen, Rita Dirksen, and Chuck and Sybil Rounds. |
Jeremy Schmidt![]()
Jeremy Scott Schmidt is the son of Scott and Kelly Schmidt of Danbury. He has a big brother, Colt, and a little sister, Robin. He is the grandson of Glen and the late Marian Isom and Norman and Leona Schmidt all of Danbury. |
Dallas Heath![]()
Dallas Heath of Anthon is the son of Brian Heath and Dana Wendt. He has 3 siblings, Jenny, Kristin, and Kolton. He is the grandson of Richard and Dolores Heath, Jervae Downing, and Dan and Pat Deeds. |
Kevin Zimmerman![]()
Kevin Zimmerman is the son of Scott and Christy Zimmerman of Mapleton. He has a brother and a sister, Torey and Katie. He is the grandson of Bob and Pat Zimmerman and Mike and Donna Golden. |
Cameron Tollufsen![]()
Cameron Gene Tollufsen is the son of Lisa and Buzz Hinrickson of Battle Creek and Todd and Tammy Tollufsen of Battle Creek. His siblings are Kalvin Hinrickson and Ty, Teah, and Tanay Tollufsen. He is the grandson of Punky and the late Artie Schumacher and Lexie and the late Art Tollufsen. |
Sean Meyer![]()
Sean Meyer is the son of Troy and Lynn McCormick of Anthon. He has 3 siblings, Brandon, Cody and Keaton. He is the grandson of Carolyn Meyer and the late Francis Meyer. |
Josh Sargent![]()
Josh Sargent is the nephew of Pam Prell and Mike Keating of Ute. He has 2 brothers, Alex and Jed. His grandparents are Glen and Lola Wood (deceased). |
Stephen Phillips![]()
Stephen Phillips is the son of Holly Phillips of Anthon. He is the grandson of Barb and John Brockelsby, Donna and Ron Cholka, Shirley and Jack Brockelsby, and Eleanore Miller. |
Steven Gotto![]()
Steven Alan Gotto is the son of Steve and Sherry Gotto of Oto. He has four siblings, Stephie Gotto, Nick Gotto, Robbie Gotto, and William Gotto. He is the grandson of the late Nick Gotto of Oto, Lucille Gotto of Oto, and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Youngberg of Salina, KS.. |
Adam Seuntjens![]()
Adam Seuntjens is the son of Doug and Debbie Seuntjens of Mapleton. He has two older brother, Jason and Albert as well as a younger sister, Jenny. He is the grandson of Wayne and Mary Seuntjens and Eugene and Alice Wimmer. |
Blaine Remmick![]()
Blaine Bilsten Remmick is the son of Jim Remmick of Mapleton and Cindy Remmick of Mapleton. He is the younger brother of Adam and older brother of Megan. He is the grandson of Carroll and Rena Skarin of Denison and Elvin Remmick of Lake View. |
Kallie Clausen![]()
Kallie Lynn Clausen is the daughter of Jackie and the late Paul Clausen of Anthon. She has a younger brother, Alex. She is the granddaughter of Wilma Clausen and the late Norman Clausen of Danbury and Babe and the late Tom Halterman of Mapleton. |
Derek Dougherty![]()
Derek A. Dougherty is the son of Dan and Mary Joan Dougherty of Mapleton. He has two younger brothers, Tim and Ryan. He is the grandson of Bob and Suzanne Dougherty of Bedford, IA; Willy and Vivian Morfitt of Nevada, IA; the late Vernon Wilhite. |
Kalana Mauch![]()
Kalana Marie Mauch is the daughter of Stephen and Penny Mauch of Mapleton. She has two big brothers, Kyle of Carroll, Daniel of Carroll, and a sister, Marissa at home in Mapleton. She is the granddaughter of Joan Butler of Soldier and Darlene Snow of Castana. |
Alex Wimmer![]()
Alexander Wimmer is the oldest son of Dale and Brenda Wimmer of Mapleton. His brother and sister are Jon and Megan, students. He is the grandson of Gene and Alice Wimmer and Russ and Carol Curry. |
Chelsee Bumann![]()
Chelsee Lee Bumann is the daughter of Wendy and Steve Bumann of Castana She has a younger sister, Kylie. She is the granddaughter of Richard and LaDonna Bumann and Juanita and the late Ronnie Burke. |
Courtney Seuntjens![]()
Courtney Kay Seuntjens is the daughter of Becky Seuntjens of Danbury and Stan Seuntjens of Correctionville. She has two older brothers, Sam and Dylan; and two younger brothers, Mac and Tanner. Courtney is the granddaughter of Ron and Marilyn Seuntjens of Mapleton and the late Lois Seuntjens and Jim Spaulding. |
Stacia Sorenson![]()
Stacia Lynn Sorenson is the daughter of Mike and Carolyn Sorenson of Castana. She has a brother, Steven. Her grandfather is Darrell Sorenson of Onawa. |
Trevor Venteicher![]()
Trevor Joe Venteicher is the youngest child of Leon and Sandy Venteicher of Danbury. His siblings are Trudy, Terry and Tami. He is the grandson of Rita Dirksen of Danbury and Lois Smith of Ida Grove. |
Jeremy Heizelman![]()
Jeremy Jonathan Heizelman is the son of Dale and Cathy Heizelman of Mapleton. He has 2 older brothers, Rory and Todd. His grandparents are Melvin and the late Lois Heizelman of Sawyer, North Dakota, and Burt and Ellie Schultz of Minot, North Dakota. |
Beau Hanson![]()
Beau Hanson is the son of Brad and Mary Jo Hanson of Castana. He is the oldest of 4, with brothers Sam, Ted, and Glen in the MVAO and AOMV school systems. He is the grandson of Brady and Cathy Hanson of Castana and Bud and Bonita Kane of Mapleton. |
Zach Gothier![]()
Zachary Jeff Gothier is the son of Jeff Gothier and Jacque Griebel-Gothier of Anthon. He has 3 younger brothers, Austin, 14, Brady, 9, and Drew, 6. He is the grandson of Marlo and Arlis Griebel of Sioux City and Calvin and Joyce Gothier of Anthon. |
Kyle McBride![]()
Kyle McBride is the son of Rick and Marcene McBride of Danbury. He has a big sister, Rochelle McBride-Maynard. He is the grandson of Charles and Irene Uhl of Ida Grove and the late Walter and Mary McBride. |
Chris Sadler![]()
Christopher Michael Sadler is the son of Todd and Jill Sadler of Mapleton. He has a twin brother, Nate, and a younger brother and sister, Hannah and Ben. His grandparents are the late Mary and Gayland Sadler and Kay and Dave Koenigs. |
Aaron Dose![]()
Aaron Dose is the son of Steve and Cathy Dose of Mapleton. He has an older brother, Corey. He is the grandson of Leo and the late Norma Jean Dose and Wilma and the late Norman Clausen. |
Wes Burkhart![]()
Wesley Daniel Burkhart is the son of Dan and Nancy Burkhart of Oto. He has two younger siblings, Brandon and Katie who are both MVAO students. He is the grandson of Merlyn and Ruth Smith of Newell, Ed and Sandy Burkhart of Smithland, and Nancy and Roy Grothaus of Ida Grove. |
Stephanie Heinse![]()
Stephanie Heinse is the daughter of Kurt and Sue Ann Heinse of Danbury. She has a younger brother, Ethan, a sophomore at MVAO. She is the granddaughter of Ed and Lucille Heinse of Anthon and Howard and Irene McCrady of Fort Dodge. Steph's love of her life was her boyfriend, Colt Baldwin. |
Matt Boyle![]()
Matthew John Boyle is the son of John and Ellen Boyle of Danbury. He has a younger brother, Alex, sixth grader at AOMV. His grandparents are Vince and Dorothy Boyle and the late Paul and Bernice Gahan. |
Nate Sadler![]()
Nathan Sadler is the son of Todd and Jill Sadler of Mapleton. He has a twin brother, Chris, and a younger brother and sister, Hannah and Ben. His grandparents are the late Mary and Gayland Sadler and Kay and Dave Koenigs. |
Tyler Walsh![]()
Tyler Donald Walsh is the son of Jody and Michelle Walsh of Mapleton. He has two little sisters, Maddie and Ellie. He is the grandson of Wayne and Dodie Johnson and the late Don and Donna Walsh. |
Lindsey McGrain![]()
Lindsey Jo McGrain is the daughter of Dave and Karla McGrain of Mapleton. She has two older brothers, Nate and Phil, and a younger sister, Abby. She is the granddaughter of Mary Woodward and great granddaughter of Blanche Woodward. |
Jordan Schoenfeld![]()
Jordan Schoenfeld is the son of Deb Schoenfeld of Mapleton and the late Larry Schoenfeld. He has 6 siblings, Dan, Devon, Kelly, Rheanon, Zach, and SiAnne. His grandparents are Elaine Collins of Mapleton and Fred and Rita Schoenfeld of Battle Creek. |
Jessica Bruning![]()
Jessica Bruning is the oldest daughter of Mike and Lisa Bruning of Castana. Her siblings are Andrea, a freshman at MVAO and Kevin, a seventh grader at AOMV. She is the granddaughter of Tim and Sue Bruning of Castana and Rosemary and the late James Cox of Dubuque. |
Jared Boyer![]()
Jared Boyer is the son of Randy and Charlene Boyer of Anthon. He has 2 brothers and a sister, Dustin, Joshua and Cierra. He is the grandson of Elsie and the late Charles Damisch, Sr. and Judith and the late Keith Boyer. |
Justin Kafton![]()
Justin Daniel Kafton is the son of Joyce and Terry Kafton of Mapleton. He has two sisters, an older named Tammy and a younger named Toni. He is the grandson of Jim and Irma Sokolowski and Arvin and Carole Kafton. |
Elizabeth Berning![]()
Elizabeth Berning is the daughter of Mike and Lori Berning of Anthon. She has a sister, Sarah Beery, and 2 brothers, Matt and Jake. Her grandparents are Wilfred Berning of Mapleton and Dolores and Richard Heath of Anthon. |
Nathan Rodenburg![]() |
Jamie VanCleave![]() |
Sam Mesenbrink![]() |
Bryan Boyle![]() |
Kendra Perkins![]() |
Courtney Holton![]()
Courtney Marie Faye Holton is the daughter of John and Kyla Holton of Mapleton. Her siblings are Johnny, Jennifer, Cody, Cole, Cassidy, Shawn, Travis, and Jordan. She is the granddaughter of Jack Coombs, David and Georgia Rounds, and Jack and LaVon Holton. |
Kyle Deeds![]() |
Jon Hookham![]() |
Ethan Wolf![]() |
Jake Berry![]() |
Brittany Bowen![]() |
Kristin Carlson![]() |
Daniel Wulf![]() |
Kyle Livermore![]() |
Chad Hamilton![]() |
Brett Schrank![]() |
Joey Hopkins![]() |
Jennifer Wilson![]() |
Brett Utterback![]() |
Laci Huck![]() |
Tyler Bollig![]() |
Tucker Bieler![]() |
Nicole Rhode![]() |
Ashley Hill![]() |
Stephanie Parr
Stephanie died tragically in her early years. She would have graduated with the Class of '08. Her parents are Keith and Marlene Parr of Castana. |
The First Day of the Rest of Our Lives
“Arise, go forth, and conquer. For today is the first day of the rest of your life.” This is the motto of the Maple Valley-Anthon Oto Class of 2008. My fellow classmates, today is the first day of the rest of our lives. Today is the day that we have waited thirteen LONG years for. We have all worked extremely hard to get here today, to Commencement Sunday.
I would like to welcome all of you today to the commencement exercise, and right now I would like to talk about my class, the Class of 2008. Now, I know we may seem like “big-time” seniors, rulers of the school, but believe it or not, we were not always like this. I know, I know, it’s hard to believe. But we started off as small innocent kindergartners at either Maple Valley or Anthon-Oto, and some of us at different schools. We learned the ropes of elementary school, gradually moved up the ranks and were all thrown together for the first time in sixth grade at Anthon-Oto Middle School. That was interesting. After the first awkward week, we became less segregated and by the end of the year, we became one class: the class of ’08. Our journey carried us through 7th grade to 8th grade, where we were finally rulers of the middle school. Needless to say, we had pretty big heads by then and were confident as we entered the unknown world of high school. Our big heads shrunk instantly when we realized that we were no longer big fish in a little pond. As freshmen at MVAO, we were more like a goldfish in the Pacific Ocean. But we persevered, and as a class we have been through a lot these past four years.
From freshmen hazing to the deadly sophomore biology class with Mr. Stodola, then just when we thought we’d escaped Mr. Stody, we were bombarded with chemistry. We have celebrated together through conference championships and state appearances in sports to state drill team, BPA Nationals, choir and band contests and many FFA projects, as well as countless other activities we have all been a part of. We also stuck together through the passing of two friends and classmates, one we lost early in our elementary careers, Stephanie Parr, and a friend and classmate we lost this past winter, Stephanie Heinse. Through all of this, we have carried each other, supported each other, and we’ve done it as a class.
When I was first selected to give the senior address, I was pretty excited. I thought I had a million things I could say about my friends, my class, and my time here at Maple Valley-Anthon Oto High School. But when I sat down to prepare this speech, I could find no words to accurately describe my feelings toward all of you. I simply cannot put into words how much MVAO means to me, how much my classmates mean to me, as well as all of my teachers, coaches, mentors, and anyone else who has helped us to get to this point in our lives.
Classmates, this may very well be the last time we are all together. Next year, we will all be heading our separate ways. Some of us will go to college and further our education; others may get a full-time job. Some of us will join the military and defend our country through these times of peril. But no matter where our paths lead us, we will always have our memories. In our minds and in our hearts will be biology, the new school, prom, choir, band and FFA trips, study halls that we never studied in, sporting events, yelling at sporting events, getting in trouble for yelling too specifically at sporting events (we know who we are J), Homecoming games, and our senior skip day that we just had. These memories will never leave us. Even ten years from now I will probably think of some dumb thing that a classmate said to me in high school and laugh out loud and all the “grown-ups” around me will stare at me like I’m an idiot. But it’s ok, I’ll understand.
Wherever we go in life, we will always be the Maple Valley-Anthon Oto Class of 2008. We will always bleed maroon and gold. We will always be Rams. Thank you.