Crestwood Graduation

CRESCO - Graduation was about a month later than usual [because of restrictions in regards to COVID-19], but members of the Class of 2020 finally got the opportunity to celebrate their graduation on Sunday, June 21. The students already received their diplomas at a drive-through ceremony on May 17, which included a parade afterwards.

Family and friends were allowed to bring lawn chairs and set up in the football field. They faced the visitor bleachers, while the class was seated in chairs on the track.

Seniors met at the old bus barn, entering the stadium from the east, walking around the track. Chris Rogne, 7-12 principal, welcomed the crowd and introduced the first student speaker, D’Oviion Dixon.

She told the crowd she didn’t know what to think when she found out there would not be anymore class after the schools were closed on March 16.

She quoted Andy Bernard of The Office, “I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days before you actually left them.” She wondered, “What are the good old days? Are they the games we attended, the locker room, eating lunch, school projects, dances? For me it was taking part in speech and choir.” 

A person never knows what’s going to happen, which is what took place this year.  “Unfortunately our last day wasn’t May 13, it was March 13.” She ended by telling the seniors to “do the things you enjoy.”  

Rogne recognized gold cord students, those who attained a grade point average of 3.5 or above. He then announced the three salutatorians — Madison Brace, Emma Cotant and Tyrone Grant — and valedictorians — Nicholas Braun, Wyatt Curtis and Sharon Goodman.

Curtis then gave his address. He joked, “I hate to give a long speech on a hot day, but here goes!”

He mentioned the sorrows of missing the last quarter of high school but also the triumph of making it through.

 

 

 

 

The valedictorian then joked with Mrs. Steffen. “In class she said, ‘With only missing a single snow day, you’ll be the smartest seniors yet.’” And then COVID took out the rest of the year.

He quoted Hellen Keller: “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." He said, “Find a different door.”

Supt. Ted Ihns introduced the school board members — Alison Holten, Duane Bodermann, Toni Johnson, Shirley Sovereign and Andy Ludeking.

Rogne told the crowd, “These students have met the requirements for graduation,” and named all the Class of 2020.

After waving to their families, the graduates then walked around the track to surround the football field. Usually the students are asked not to throw their hats in the air because of the crowd, but spaced apart, they were given the go-ahead to toss them. It was a fitting end to a roller-coaster year!

 

2020 Graduates

Logan Matthew Albert

Brandi Nicole Allison

Keelee Nicole Andera

Kael Anthony Anderlik

Kevin Michael Barnhart

Matthew J.D.P. Bauer

Alex James Blankenship

Jenna Sue Bolson

Katlin Ann Born

Madison Renee Brace

Nicholas Joseph Braun

Austin David Buls

Chase William Burke

Shane A. Burke

Ezekiel John Church

Emma LaDeane Cotant

Marshall Nolan Cotton

Wyatt Ward Curtis

D'Oviion Laurence Dixon

Ellana Kimberly Eide

Kailyn Madison Erickson

Kamryn Jungkun Erickson

Sydney S.J. Erickson

Kacey Foltz

Ryan Dean Fortney

Colby James Frazer 

Veronica Lee Fuentes

Sharon Gabrielle Goodman

Jaycee H. Gordon

Donavyn Lynn Gosch

Tyrone Michael Grant

Josie Claire Hageman

Lydia Rose Harvey

Dylan Michael Hauber

Angelina May Hayek

Braden Bruce Hayes

Dalton Wyatt Heit

Dalton Davidson Hubka

Eduardo Jimenez-Tzompaxtle

Bryden Del Juelsgaard

Niklaus Alan Knobloch

Kala Mae Kriener

Libby Lorraine Labosky

Erika Elisabeth Lake

Daniel Lares

Angel M. Lebherz

Isabella Grace Lehmkuhl

Laken Kelby Lienhard

Hailey Drake Mackenburg

Hunter James Mackenburg

Jamie A. Maly

Lucas John McGee

David Jonathon Meinecke

Mitchell Ryan Melaas

Autumn Dawn Nolan

Cameron Ivy Ollendick

Garret Francis Donald Ollendieck

Robert David Ostrom III

Hailey Justice Panos

Joshua Daniel Pavlovec

Josephine Pearl Pinter

Shelby Joyce Pisney

Kelly Anne Rahlf

Meika Rose Regan

Riley C. Reis

Chloe Elizabeth Rice

Krista Rae Riley

Emma Nicole Rissman

Conner Griff Roberts

Katherine Ann Roethler

Kryslynn Emilee Ruppert

Erin Elizabeth Ryan

Wyatt Lee Scheidel

Delaney Jaylyn Scholbrock

Caleb M. Shea

Annaleigh Carol Shileny

Mattie Mae Slavin

Matthew Max Slifka

Kayla Ann Smoltz

Walker Lynn Sobolik

Rachel Leanne Steffen

Brooklyn Jo Stevenson

Kelsey Marilyn Stortz

Memphis James Sweeney

Tyler N. Teslow

Mason K. Theis

Bryer Frederick Thompson

Michaela Marie Walton

Hanna Jo Ward

Taylor Marie Waterbeck

George Wilkie Watson

Megan Ann Watson

Tristan James Wetherington

Reece Jeffrey Wilson