SOME 232 GRADUATE FROM FHS
By S. ROBINSON,
Farmington Press - May 29, 2008

With his hand to his forehead, Farmington High School instructor Jay Springstead stated “I salute you” in his concluding remarks to the graduating class of 2008. A packed house filled the Farmington Civic Center as the 232 students took part in the Commencement ceremonies on Friday night.

The students had selected Springstead, a history teacher at the school, to deliver the Commencement address. He told the students “four score and seven years ago, minus four score and three” they entered Farmington High School as freshmen.

Springstead told the students they’ve been a part of a “great school” in a school system that “strives for excellence” in its students.

“You’ve received a top dollar education that will serve you wherever you go,” he added.

Springstead also told the graduates that a great deal of life’s mysteries “are ahead of you — you should welcome them.”

“The questions we ask enlighten us,” he said, “not the answers. Be ready to pose the right questions.”

Before Springstead spoke to the crowd, the students filed into the auditorium while the Farmington High School band — under the direction of Kurt Bauche — performed “Pomp and Circumstance.” The Farmington High School AFJROTC Color Guard presented the colors for the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

The welcome for the evening was given by Student Council President Ayla Chadbourne. She recognized the long journey the class had made to this night and how the students were “blessed” to share the event with family and friends in attendance.

Senior Class President Parks Peterson gave the senior challenge to the Class of 2009, saying they should stay focused, be patient and never be swayed by the status quo.

“Be true to who you are and honor your beliefs,” he stressed.

Before he began his speech, Peterson asked the crowd to observe a moment of silence for classmate Drew Killion, who died in 2002.

Junior Class President Chelsey Lappe said the class would accept the challenge set for them and is “ready to take control.”

Also during the ceremony, Principal Matt Ruble told the crowd it was “only fitting on this Memorial Day weekend” to pay special tribute to those graduates entering the military. The standing-room only crowd rose to their feet as those students gathered on stage.

The evening also featured special recognition for student accomplishments. Lauren Bird was given an award for four years of perfect attendance. Kelsey Winch, Joey Henry and Casey Hagan were recognized for successfully completing the College Now program — earning either an Associate of Arts degree from Mineral Area College or transferable credit hours.

Ruble introduced Holly Russell as the Knight of the Year, telling the crowd of her many scholastic and athletic accomplishments during her time at Farmington High School.

The top 10 students for the class of 2008 were also introduced. Beginning with the third ranked student, they were Leiren Jarvis, Russell, Mitch Reidt, Lauren Westrich, Ashley Rhodes, Ayla Chadbourne, Simip Patel, and Haley Kennedy. Kaleb Sutherland was named Salutatorian, with a GPA of 16.664 and Danielle West was named Valedictorian with a GPA of 16.957.

During her speech, West said it “hardly feels like so much time has gone by” referring to their school years. She told her classmates to not let high school determine who you are in the future. “Everyone gets a blank slate,” she said. She recognized that the years have “shaped the person you have become” and that they are “all equipped to go out and make a difference.”

West thanked a number of instructors who had guided her through her school years and the many family and friends who helped her as well.

Quoting from the Dr. Seuss book “Oh, The Places You’ll Go,” she said “you are the one who’ll decided where to go.”

“Go out and be great,” she told her fellow graduates.

The A Capella Choir, under the direction of Sue Bauche, performed the Senior Song “Here’s to the Night,” which was arranged by graduate Claire Minnis. The Choralier men performed “I Will Never Pass This Way Again” — a graduation tradition for a number of years.

Following the presentation of diplomas and A+ Medals, Superintendent Dr. W.L. Sanders congratulated the class on the $3 million in scholarship money awarded the senior class for college scholarships. As a father of a soldier, he also expressed his gratitude for those entering military service after graduation.

This year’s graduates included Chelsea Elizabeth Amsden; Benjamin J. Anderson; Joshua Steven Anderson; Tracie Marie Armoneit; Isaac Christian Armstrong; Justin Lloyd Arnold; Justin Louis Arnold; Thomas Baasnes; Aaron Kyle Baker; Michael Steven Ball; Andrew James Phillip Steven Barnes; Lindsey Ann Barton; Jessica Nicole Bayless; Billy Joe Beard II; Tianna Lee Beason; Chase Christopher Beedie; Patrick Owen Berg; Ashley Dawn Berghaus; Lauren Alyssa Bird; Sara Nicole Biri; Adam Blum; Nicholas Wade Boggs; Dennis James Boland; Marissa Rose Bradley; Stephen Wayne Bradley; Elizabeth Anne Brann; Cynthia Nicole Bridgeman; Angela Marie Bridgewater; Kelly Thomas Burch; Betsy G. Butterworth; Rikki Lynn Campbell; Ho Yoo Cha; Ayla Michelle Chadbourne; Piotr Cichostepsk; Randall P. Clim; Rebecca Eileen Clubb; Brad T. Cluck; Andrea Lucia Contreras; Amanda Nicole Couch; Jaimie Ann Crabtree; Jacob Thomas Crannell; Jeremiah Eugene Crites; Robert Samuel Dahlberg; Trey Randall Danieley; Kelsey Marie Davault; Aaron Matthew Davis; Shannon Day; William Henry Denkler; Carrie Joann Dennis; James L. Derr; Kelsey Detring; Tabitha June Dickey; Megan Alexandra (Dugal) Lawson; Amanda Lynn Duncan; Heather Michelle Elkins; Ashley Marie Elledge; Brianna Marie Finch; Tasha LeeAnn Finch; David Leroy Fischbeck; Sara Ann Forsythe; Tonnie Marie Franklin-Tucker; Alexander Lee Freund; Megan L. Garrett; Raven Leigh Garrett; Joseph Lee Gillam; Ryan Dale Gilliam; Morgan Gilmore; Amanda Rae Glaze; Alexis Anne Gordon; Nina M. Gordon; Kylie Lynn Gower; Katherine Marie Grechus; Travis Austin Greenwood; Nicholas Justin Grobe; Luke Jess Gutches; Justin Lyle Hafner; Casey Rose Hagan; Cody William Halbrook; Rebecca Emily Hall; David A. Hamblin; Brandon Scott Hampton; Ashley Hankins; Cecilia Lena Hansson; Jamie Renee Harrington; Danyelle Anne Harris; Mary Page Hartenberger; Elizabeth Hartmann; Ashley Dawn Harvey; Allison Michelle Hatch; Robert Hawkins; Charles Bertrand Hayden; Kyle David Haywood; Ryan Spencer Helms; Heath R. Hennes; Joseph James Henry; Kristen Ann Henson;  Joshua Paul Hickman; Abbey Jane Hill; Jessica Ann Hinkebein; John Hitson; Marty Lee Hodge; Nicholas Andrew Hoehn; Dwayne Anthony Hopkins; Kelsey Marie Hopkins; Stephanie Renee Howlett;  Justin Eugene Ivester; Stormie Dawn Ivey; Leiren Danielle Jarvis; Amanda Marie Johnson; Cody Dewayne Johnson; Michael Wayne Jones; Kelbie M. Joyce; Kristopher Lee Kappler;  Zachary Kyle Kavanaugh; Haley Nicole Kennedy; Devin Paul King; David Michael Klingensmith; William Knapp; Derrick Everett Lacey; Kaylynn L. Lancaster; Ross W. Ledbetter; Lauren Ann Lee; John William Libby; Christine Luedecke; Brittany Nicole Maize; Colin Phillip Martin; Joseph Martinez; Jeffrey “Andrew” R. Maurer; Kendall Charles May; Anne Elizabeth Mayfield; Sarah Renee Mayfield; Katie Lynn McClanahan; Sara Renee McDaniels; Cody Lee McGill; Alicia McMullan; Richard Powell Meister; Emily Ann Mell; Shelby Lynn Mercer; Flavio Mericio; Cari Elizabeth Merz; Mitchell Steven Miller; James Paul Minks;  Claire Elizabeth Minnis; Carlton Minor; Cody Montgomery; Jacob Wayne Montgomery; Vanessa L. Morgan; Stephen Wayne Mosier; Franci L. Mund; Joseph Aaron Nelson; Jakob Edward Newhouse; Ethan Daniel Nicholson; Douglas Ryne Noble; Kylie Suzanne Nute; Steven Kyle O’Neal; Krislyn Jean O’Sullivan; Shannon Denise Orrick; Tabitha Jane Parrott; Jackie Wayne Parson; Samip Ashvin Patel; Brady Alan Michael Payne; Parks Gregory Peterson; Caleb R. Petrie; Taylor Michelle Pirtle; Devin Marcia Pope; Adam Portell; Kevin L. Pothetos; Amanda Jean Prasuhn; Whitney Ann Preiss; Kristina Quade; Amanda Ragsdale; Mike Ragusa; Lyndsey Ratcliff; Ashley Marie Rawson; Steven Christopher Reeder;  Mitchell Reidt; Bradley Joseph Resinger; Colton Michael Reynolds; Ashley Catherine Rhodes; Travis S. Richardt; Bradley Wayne Roberts; Donnie W. Roberts; Cynthia Elaine Robison; Dennis Wendell Roper; Evan Phillip Rowe; Thomas James Rudasill; Michael J. Rudroff; Holly Renee Russell; Ryan Michael David Sales; Hannah Belle Schwalenberg; Lauren Scism; Erik Michael Seago; Sarah Elizabeth Shadowens; Derek Wayne Smallen; Timothy John Speer; Emilie Louise Stowers; Kaleb Aron Sutherland; Shaylen Renae Sutton; Garry Wayne Swanguarim; Nikki-Ann Tafaro; Christopher Hailey Thomas; Brock E. Thompson; Loren Louise Thompson; Sarah Renae Thompson; Andrew Lee Thurman; Cody Duane Tilley; Corey Uptegrove; Chelsie Lynn Vanness; Trevor Michael Walker; Jenika Michele Walsh; Christopher Dean Wampler; Jaimie Nicole Wampler; Rebecca Nicole Wann; Caleb Wayne Ward; Tasha Renea Warren; Herman Lee Webers; Danielle Elizabeth West; Lauren Michelle Westrich; Ashley Lynn Wheeler; Amanda Jo White; April Ann White; Samatha Jean White; Madalyn Diane Wichman; Kelsie Lee Wilkins; Alvin Eugene Williams; Craig Arthur Wilson; Jonathon Eugene Wilson; Kelsey Nicole Winch; Haley Alexandra Wulfers; Patrick Weston Wulfers; Brooke Marie Young;  Sabrina Dawn Young; Leandra Zwemer.