Ewen-Trout Creek graduates recall many fond memories

By P.J. GLISSON

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Ewen - Sixteen students at Ewen-Trout Creek School in Ewen celebrated their graduation from high school on Friday evening.

The night included a variety of class memories, as well as a class video and scholarships presented by Sandra Maki, who runs the school library and academic resource center.

Superintendent Dave Radovich welcomed the crowd and presented the class, after which four class representatives gave speeches.

After recounting events and personal growth the students had shared in successive grades, student council president Selena Marie Caroline Dix concluded, "We have molded each other all these years without even realizing it."

She advised her fellow graduates, tearfully, not only to "flourish," but also to "fight for your dreams," and concluded, "A person without something to truly care about is like a painter without a paintbrush."

Class president Brooke Ann Perttu kidded about sharing classrooms with her brother, Hunter Lee Perttu, who also was present as someone who spent an extra year attending high school while also achieving a degree from Gogebic Community College.

Although he participated in last year's graduation ceremony, he is listed as the 17th member of this year's class.

"After today, we can go anywhere, do anything," said class president Perttu. "We've been dreaming of this moment for years."

Salutatorian Acadia Laura-Renee Schaad remembered how she and her classmates were excited to count in kindergarten and ultimately moved on to fractions and variables.

Schaad described herself as "quiet all throughout high school and now standing in front of a large audience."

She reminded the audience that everyone has his or her own unique skills.

As the final speaker, valedictorian Kaitlyn Marie Brady said to her teachers, "Thank you for challenging me to be the best person I could possibly be."

While addressing her classmates, she added, "If you want to reach a goal, no matter what it is, you have to work hard."

In recalling how they played "cops and robbers" on the playground when they were young, she added that fellow graduates now represent "a second family that I'll hold in my heart."

Board of education president John Pinkerton presented diplomas, followed by a class video that included images of the graduates at various ages and while experiencing fun events such as class trips together.

The high school choir sang under the lead of music director Brad Besonen, who also guided the high school band in playing both the processional and recessional.

The class threw their hats in the air at the end of the ceremony.

Later in the evening, the students planned to participate in an Operation Graduation event, during which they would be able to celebrate safely at a party sponsored at the school.

The last day of school for the district is on June 7, with an early dismissal at 1:10 p.m.