51 seniors receive diplomas Friday

By CHRIS CLINE
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Published: Sunday, May 24, 2009
Updated: Sunday, May 24, 2009 10:37 PM CDT

BISMARCK '” The Class of 2009 will go down as one of Bismarck's largest senior classes. Fifty-one seniors received their diplomas Friday night before a capacity crowd in the Bismarck High School Gymnasium.

Class President Jacob Scott welcomed those in attendance to the graduation ceremony. He told his classmates to remember the times they shared while in high school.

'�Remember the times before high school that were even more fun,'� Scott said. '�I'll remember the things we can come to expect from one another. I am glad I was able to spend 13 years with the people that are sitting in front of me.'�

Salutatorian Caleb Hagerty said his classmates and he had reached the finale of their high school careers.

'�All the lessons we have learned have helped us become the people that we are,'� Hagerty said. '�We are moving from a comfortable atmosphere to something new. Tonight, Class of 2009, we sit here as adults. I can't believe we have made it. Our families are very proud of us.'�

Hagerty then joked, '�This is the most opportune time to ask them for money.'�

On a more serious note, he told his fellow seniors to apply the many lessons they had learned to their futures.

'�Graduation is only a concept,'� he said. '�Graduation takes place every day.'�

Valedictorian Ethan Graham said the road leading up to graduation had been rough and bumpy.

'�High school goes quick,'� he said. '�It seems like our first day was yesterday. Tonight we gather together as a group for the last time. Stand up for what you believe in and don't let anyone put you down. Use our experiences successfully.'�

An addition to this year's graduation ceremony was a 20 minute slide show that depicted the life of each graduate. Principal Jamie Bell said the slide show was the senior class's idea.

'�When they told me it was 20 minutes long, I told them I had a reputation to uphold in keeping these things short,'� Bell said. '�However, if you think as much of this group of students as I do, I think you will agree that it was 20 minutes well spent.'�

The senior class officers included: President Jacob Scott, Vice-president Zac Johnson, Secretary Treasure Marcee and Treasurer Robin Eichenberger.

Those who received diplomas included: Crystal Ann Bass, Lana Jean Bleckler, Marcus�  Dean Bellamy, Holly Megan Blunt, Ashley Lavon Bockenkamp, Jesse Alan Bowen, Trisha Dawn Carter, Shalina Marie Cato, Victoria�  Lynne Counts, Kara Lynne Crane, Joy Darlene Davidson, Robert Michael Dickey, Amber Mae Durbin, Robin Lee Eichenberger, Katherine Alexandria Felty, Cassandra Lee Fenwick, Lauren Jean Flecke, Tyson� � �  Matthew� � �  Fortner, Ethan Todd Graham, Caleb Levi Hagerty, Rebecca Lynn Harris, Victoria�  Jo Henson, Cody James Hill, Brandon Michael�  Herrington, Amber Dawn Johnson, Huey Zachary Johnson, Christopher Jacob Kennon, Jennifer Lynn Ketcherside, Mary Jo Ketcherside, Joyce Marie Ketcherside, Linda Rose Lee, Stephenie Elissa Lynch, Treasure Chariti Marcee, Garrett Lee Mathes, Thomas David Jones, Ronald Lee Morris, Michael Trent Wiley McCallon, Kadee Elizabeth Niehaus, Brandon Michael Pate, Lacey Marie Perry, Jessica Lynn Roberts, Jacob Nathaniel Scott, Joshua Lee Sutton, Courtney Rochelle Talley, Ericka Nichole Wade, Erica Marie Wakefield, Danielle Sue Warren, Brittany Marie Webb, Aaron Jeremiah Wilkinson, Lindsay Marie Young and Rachel Elizabeth Young.

Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at ccline@dailyjournalonline.com.

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