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Saturday, May 10, fifteen seniors graduated from
Hartsburg Emden CUSD 21.
As the ceremony began, class president Sadie Williams welcomed and
thanked everyone for being there saying it meant a lot to have so
many there. Williams told her fellow seniors it was the finish line
of years of hard work, late nights, early mornings and everything in
between. She said we have grown a lot not just academically but also
as people and today we get to recognize that. Williams thanked
teachers and staff for “guiding and believing in us” and said, “the
support of neighbors and friends helped get us here.” It is the end
of high school, but also the beginning of the next chapter in our
lives.
HartEm Princsipal Adam Wherley then presented the following twelve
awards scholarships:
The Ed and Beulah Schmidt Scholarship, which was awarded to Addie
(Adeline) Briggs, Zoe Miller and Kylie Starcevic.
The Emden Sons of the American Legion Post #506 Scholarship, which
was awarded to Zoe Miller and Avery Rohlfs.
The Hartsburg American Legion Post #1146 Scholarship, which was
awarded to Zoe Miller.
The Heartland Trustee Scholarship, which was awarded to Logan
Palladini.
The Rudy Klokkenga Scholarship, which was awarded to Kylie Starcevic.
The Rudy Klokkenga Medical Scholarship, which was awarded to Avery
Rohlfs.
The Rudy Klokkenga Scholarship for athletics, which was awarded to
Addie Briggs.
The Lifesaving Scholarship, which was awarded to Avery Rohlfs and
Zoe Miller
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Scholarship, which
was awarded to Sadie Williams.
The Logan County Liftoff Scholarship, which was awarded to Sadie
Williams.
The Folkman Work-Study Scholarship, which was awarded to Addie
Briggs and Zoe Miller.
The Scott Brown Memorial Scholarship, which was awarded to Zoe
Miller and Kylie Starcevic.
Those receiving Senior Beta Club member recognition for growth in
achievement, character, leadership and service included Addie
Briggs, Isabella (Bella) Grabowski, Zoe Miller, Logan Palladini,
Avery Rohlfs, Kylie Starcevic and Sadie Williams
Wherley then read the list of students receiving Scholastic keys
recognition for making the high honor roll or honor roll three of
the four nine weeks in the same school year. The following students
were recognized:
Aliya (Jay) Marcum was the recipient of the Bronze
Key for one academic school year with high honors or honors.
Abbigail Anderson was the recipient the Silver Key for two academic
school years with high honors or honors.
Bella Grabowski and Carson Zinser were the recipients of the Gold On
Silver Key for three academic school years with high honors or
honors.
Mitch Mason, Zoe Miller, Logan Palladini, Avery Rohlfs, Kylie
Starcevic and Sadie Williams were all recipients of the Gold Key for
all four academic school years with high honors or honors
Zoe Miller, Logan Palladini, Avery Rohlfs, Kylie Starcevic and Sadie
Williams were all recipients of the Bronze Stag. This award was for
all four academic school years and a minimum of 28 high school
credits receiving Gold Key recognition. They each received a bronze
stag statue with their name engraved on it.
Before diplomas were handed out, Salutatorian Logan Palladini,
Valedictorian Sadie Williams, class sponsors Jon Hodel and Carter
Collins and Principal Wherley each offered some remarks.
Palladini told everyone it is an honor to stand here,
calling it a momentous occasion made possible by teachers and
parents. He reminded his classmates they did the work and never gave
up even as they weathered many ups and downs. Though Palladini said,
“some days were full of dread, it was all worth it to be right here
in this special moment.”
Saying they would not be sitting here without the
help of some amazing faculty members, Palladini expressed special
appreciation to Mrs. Hilgert, the guidance counselor and Mr. Westen,
the Physical Education teacher for all they did. High school would
not be the same without friendships. Palladini said classmate and
friend Mitch Mason, who has been with him since kindergarten, always
had his back and was the biggest reason high school was so
memorable. He will always remembers quotes from teachers like Mr.
Robinson and Mr. Hodel.
In closing, Palladini said today we celebrate because we finally
made it and crossed the finish line. He wished all his classmates
the best of luck telling them not to be afraid to be adventurous.
In speaking to her classmates, Williams said today we
stand at the edge of something new and are gathered here not just to
celebrate the end of our high school journey, but to honor the
countless moments that brought us here. High school has taught us
more than just the standard curriculum as we learned how to ask for
help, take responsibility and shake it off when we make mistakes. We
have learned success doesn’t always come quickly, but it doesn’t
mean the end. It means you are trying.
Williams then acknowledged her teachers, parents, fellow students
and families for all the support. She said her classmates were a
great group who supported one another. Williams reminded her
classmates to “not forgot who you are and dream big” even in a scary
and unpredictable future.
Finally, Williams thanked Mr. Collins, her liftoff
mentor, her stepdad Chris parents, brother Kyler, boyfriend Ryan,
best friend Zoe and her mom for all they said and did for her.
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Hodel was a class co-sponsor this year and has
watched the students grow and transform into the individuals they
are today. Hodel said the seniors had dedication, perseverance and
strength that testified to their hard work. What had stood out to
Hodel about the students was not just their academic abilities, but
also their sense of purpose and commitment to each other. He has
seen these students tackle challenges with determination, celebrate
one another’s success with genuine joy, learn from experience and
adapt to change.
Moving forward, Hodel said this resilience “will serve you well in
the next chapter of your lives.” He said you have proved the true
meaning of success is not just the grades you’ve earned or the
accolades you’ve received, but the way you have treated others and
the way you have carried yourself. You are capable of more than you
realize and have the tools to create the life you deserve and
desire.
Hodel thanked the families, friends for unwavering support and
fellow faculty members for their dedication to the students. Hodel’s
final lesson was “as you move forward, take the lessons you have
learned here not just in the classroom, but in life: be kind, brave
and be yourself. Remember you are a character in your own life
story, so live it well.”
Collins has taught these students since eighth grade,
but said it feels like he just met them yesterday. The first year
with the students was during the pandemic, and it was a crash course
for all of us with masks and social distancing. During that year,
Collins did not even know what their full faces looked like because
of their masks. For Collins, hearing their take on current events
made every challenge worth it.
These students have a special place in Collin’s heart. He said they
are funny, curious and endlessly engaged. Collins called the
students outspoken, hilarious and unafraid to stand up for what they
believe. They tease each other for good fun but always look out for
one another. The students have an unmistakable bond. Simply put,
Collins said they are good people.
Because Collins has been their class sponsor all throughout high
school, he has formed a great bond with the students who have made
him a better educator. They jumped into all the events like
homecoming, and Collins said this class had the best homecoming
class of any class ever. These students have a special place in
Collin’s heart. He shared some stories about the fun times they had.
One of Collin’s favorite parts of being their class sponsor was
being a sounding board for the students. Collins enjoyed working
concessions with the students to raise money for their senior class
trip and loved taking the trip with them to the Mall of America in
Minnesota. Collins loved spending the first five years of his
teaching career with these students. If he had the chance Collins
said he would miss these times and would relive the experiences with
the students all over again.
Before Principal Wherley addressed the class, a class video set to
music was shown. The slideshow had photos of each student and their
plans for the future, plus collages of the students at various
events from preschool through high school. Many of the students have
been going to school together for the past thirteen years, so there
were numerous photos of them together.
Wherley congratulated the class of 2025 and said we
are celebrating thirteen years of accomplishments. Wherley began
serving as principal this school and has only known these students
for the past several months, but said the beauty of being at a small
school is that it allows him to get to know the students’ passions,
personalities and goals.
As Wherley addressed each of the students personally, he talked
about their plans and dreams. He wished each one well and hopes they
all achieve what they strive for.
In closing, Wherley said, “class of 2025, we are so proud of you.
Congratulations. You have earned this moment. Now go make your mark
on the world.”
Finally, Wherley recommended the students for graduation.
School board vice president Kent Cross handed out
diplomas to the students, who included: Abbigail Anderson, Adeline
Briggs, Emma Cordray, Cage Crumpler, Isabella Grabowski, Aliya (Jay)
Marcum, Mitchell Mason, Zoe Miller, Logan Palladini, Avery Rohlfs,
Karter Ross, Tyler Sadowski, Kylie Starcevic, Sadie Williams and
Carson Zinser.
Wherley then presented the class of 2025 to everyone
and Williams led her classmates in moving their tassels.
After the graduation ceremony was over, the seniors formed a line
outside to receive congratulations from families and friends.
We wish the members of Hartsburg Emden class of 2025 well as they
begin a new chapter of their lives.
[Angela Reiners]
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