By: Daniel Cooley
This year’s high school graduation ceremony from Edgerton High School had 52 graduates, along with 22 who were in the National Honor Society.
This year’s ceremony, which took place in the Edgerton High School gym, also had a high number of valedictorians, with eight co-valedictorians, along with one salutatorian. The ceremony took place on Sunday, May 28.
After the opening procession of the potential graduates, Quentin Blue, one of the Co-Valedictorians and the class vice president, gave the opening prayer. Co-Valedictorian Corey Everetts led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Next, Superintendent Kermit Riehle welcomed the audience and Salutatorian Isaiah Fry introduced the guests, which included Robert Siebenaler, school board president and school employee Amy Lower, Fry’s mother. Lower later presented Fry with his diploma and with it, a warm embrace.
High school Principal Ben Wilhelm recognized the veterans who were in the audience and asked them all to stand up.
Wilhelm then introduced the honored graduates and called the names of the nine award of excellence graduates, Blue, Elissa Bowen, Taylor Dietsch, Everetts, Fry, Ashlee Hug, Kadyn Picillo, Noelle Ritter and Taylor Smith.
Wlhelm also had the 22 national honor society and 20 who graduated with diploma honors, stand up.
Wilhelm then had the two graduates who were going into the military stand up. Blake Flower is going into the Navy and Kaden Geren, the Army.
Two more Co-Valedictorians then spoke. Bowen talked about how her class, as freshmen, experienced COVID quarantines and ended up as the first graduating class to graduate, after experiencing COVID-19 for all four years of high school and overcoming it.
Smith talked about handling adversity during the four high school years, including COVID and some, battling sports injuries.
She discussed growing up walking the halls together and the many lessons that were learned. Smith said to thank those who inspired us and pushed us, to make us better.
After special music played by the band, Co-Valedictorians Dietsch and Ritter then spoke. Dietsch reminded students that they stand today at a crossroads, with choices they make that will influence them for the rest of their lives. However, the decisions that they make will be the first steps.
They will learn from those, and they can then make the right decisions that will put them on the right path.
Ritter reminded the graduates to enjoy every moment that they have had together, as they go through the next chapter in their lives. Ritter also talked about sports achievements.
The baseball team advanced to Districts for the first time since 2015 and the softball team advanced to the regionals for the first time in a decade.
Later, Wilhelm, in giving each student’s achievements while calling them up for their diplomas, mentioned that Ritter set the school softball record this year, with eight home runs.
After special music from the choir, Wilhelm presented the graduates and School Board President Siebenaler presented each student with their diploma.
There was, of course, one exception with Lower presenting Fry, her son, with his diploma.
In closing remarks, Superintendent Riehle congratulated the students on their achievements and the knowledge that they had gained.
He told them to embrace the challenges that lie ahead and that there are endless possibilities ahead of them.
In the farewell address, Co-Valedictorians Hug and Picillo spoke. Hug reminded the graduates to never forget where they came from and to thank the teachers for helping them develop.
Hug also said to thank their parents for helping them achieve, especially by encouraging them in extracurricular activities.
Picillo reminded the graduates to always remember your friends, because you will have them for a lifetime. He said thank your parents for helping you and remember that you are an Edgerton Bulldog for life.
High School Band Director Rachel Krueger then led the band in the recessional.
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
