Minooka students graduate

MINOOKA – With the stadium seats full and the fence around the perimeter of the football field lined with family and friends, more than 600 students graduated Sunday night from Minooka Community High School.

Principal Ron Kiesewetter led the graduation address, telling students that Minooka is a wonderful place where people extend simple acts of kindness to one another.

“MCHS embodies the true sense of the word ‘community,’ ” he said. “That sense of community will be with you for a lifetime.”

The graduation ceremony was held Sunday evening for the second consecutive year. Last year’s afternoon graduation was rescheduled to the evening after a rain delay.

The timing worked so well, it was decided to keep the evening ceremony, MCHS Superintendent Jim Blanche said in an interview after Friday’s graduation rehearsal.

Blanche called the 2016 graduating class “a very talented group [of students].”

“I am amazed at the caliber of young people that walk in our doors,” he said. “That comes from home-supportive parents and the community. That makes our jobs easier.”

The MCHS senior choir led the crowd at graduation in singing the national anthem.

Kiesewetter recognized Sydney Arlis and Conrad Goffinet as the school’s two National Merit Scholarship finalists; Bradley Hodorowicz, Joshua Sauerbier and Kara Thorne for perfect attendance; and nearly a dozen graduates who have committed to serving in the armed forces.

As salutatorian, Goffinet talked about the obstacles he faced during his high school years, adding that there will be more obstacles on every path.

“High school has taught us that sometimes our work requires a bit of effort and sometimes it requires a great deal,” Goffinet said. “Challenge yourself in all that you do.”

Valedictorian Morgan Scholtes spoke of the friendships she made along the way, from grade school through high school.

“Down the road we will remember not the classes and schedules, but the friends we had and the times we shared together,” Scholtes said. “I will miss my time here, but I will enjoy every memory I have made because I know it’s time to reach beyond the walls of MCHS and expand our potential into our future.”

While graduation marks the beginning of the future, it also celebrates the individual history of each student who has journeyed the halls of MCHS, School Board President Mike Brozovich said. Perhaps there was a special teacher who made an impact, a coach who motivated or a friend who helped on a bad day, he said.

“I hope your story is one written with beautiful memories,” Brozovich said.

“We look forward with excitement and confidence to the next set of life experiences awaiting you.”