Pomp and Circumstance

A SALUTE TO 2020 SENIORS

2020 GRADUATES IOLA • HUMBOLDT • MORAN

EDITORS Susan Lynn and Tim Stauffer The Iola Register, Inc. WRITERS Trevor Hoag Richard Luken Susan Lynn Erick Mitchell Vickie Moss

ADVERTISING & DESIGN TEAM Whitney Ikehorn Morgan Lea Violeta Rodriguez-Stauffer Kylie Taylor-Cromer ON THE COVER: IHS SENIORS GABRIELLA LAMPE MAYTE BREITHAUP PIETER VENTER © 2020 Fox Print & Creative Publishing, LLC, New Orleans, LA All rights reserved Printed in the USA by Fox Print Services (igofox.com)

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POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

A senior send-off In mid-March, area students learned their schools would be shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead of the traditional classroom format, their lessons would continue primarily online.

In no small part, the news rocked their world. High school seniors, especially, were devastated they would miss out on traditional rites of passage such as prom, senior trip and graduation.

As the days passed, little things also began to take on significance.

No more passing classmates in the hallways. No more chances to catch that special someone’s attention across the classroom. No more lines to memorize, notes to hit or pitches to hone.

In a flash, students were forced to learn one of life’s biggest lessons: Take nothing for granted.

For graduating seniors, the abrupt end to their school year also has meant forgoing the traditional sendoffs that not only help them say goodbye to 12 years of education but also help pave the way for what lies ahead.

Without the formality, the end

seems surreal.

In their responses to a survey posted

by The Register, many of the students said the experience has made them realize how much they appreciate their teachers and parents and the interest they took in their success.

Now forced to stay at home, some said it’s made them realize how little time they had been spending with their families, and how it feels good to reconnect.

Others said the experience has made them determined to “start really living,” and that they regretted not getting more involved in school activities when they had the chance.

Perhaps the greatest takeaway was the simple and oft-repeated message, “I will miss saying goodbye. I didn’t know I wouldn’t have the chance to.”

WE SALUTE these 2020 graduates for their courage and resilience in the face of adversity.

Godspeed,

Susan Lynn,

Register editor and publisher

IOLA HIGH SCHOOL

Fired up for BYU

Senior Spotlights

ELLA TAYLOR - VALEDICTORIAN - GOVERNOR’S SCHOLAR

Ella Taylor had her senior year mapped out.

Qualify for the state track meet, intern at the hospital, hone her Forensics talents, keep up on her studies, and then graduate — hopefully as valedictorian.

Little did Taylor know a global pandemic would rob her of many of those goals when

her school was shuttered this spring for the rest of the semester.

One thing, at least. Taylor did qualify as a valedictorian. And she was named a 2020 Governor’s Scholar, representing Iola High.

As could be expected, Taylor hasn’t been coasting through her senior year. For her last semester she’s enrolled in advanced chemistry, physics, college-level English, history and math.

A job shadowing experience at Allen County Regional Hospital helped Taylor decide to pursue the medical field in college.

Next fall Taylor is headed to study medical lab science at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where her two older sisters are also students. Olivia is a junior at BYU and Abigail is in its law school.

The sisters were also IHS valedictorians.

Did that have an impact on Ella’s goals?

“Well, I was aiming for it. But it wasn’t in the forefront of my mind,” she said.

Ella is the daughter of Jen and Ben Taylor. She has a younger brother, Jessie, who’s a freshman at IHS. The effect of the pandemic on her senior year has made Taylor put things in perspective.

“I’ve learned not to take things for granted,” she said.

Taylor can even find the silver lining from the experience.

“I’ve somewhat enjoyed the time being alone. It’s helped build my motivation for college. It’s also helped me get ready for college in the sense that I’m having to do more on my own in terms of work and study.”

Headed to Swarthmore EASON CHEUNG - VALEDICTORIAN Eason Cheung may have trouble procrastinating, he said, but that didn’t stop him from becoming one of this year’s IHS valedictorians.

He even managed to do so while working quite a few hours at his family’s restaurant, China Palace.

And though Cheung devoted himself to getting good grades, he also enjoyed participating in Scholar’s Bowl and chess club.

“I definitely enjoyed playing chess,” he said, and “the competitiveness of Scholar’s

Rachel Bycroft

Bowl is impressive.”

One of Cheung’s fondest memories of high school was attending a leadership camp sponsored by Rotary Club, especially because of how much it challenged him.

“I barely got any sleep,” he said, recalling the excitement of working with others to solve problems, such as unraveling an enormous tangle of string with 20 other people … blindfolded.

Regarding high school, he said he not

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

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Andre Quinn / Carlie Payne / Kelsey Morrison only enjoyed it, but added “I’ll miss the teachers the most … they gave us a lot.”

Cheung said he “really likes to put [his] mind on one specific topic,” focusing intensely in order to gain a deep understanding.

The strategy must be working out, because thanks to great grades and high test scores, he’s earned a $59,000 scholarship to attend Swarthmore College in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Though he admitted being a “little bit scared” of moving across the country — he immigrated to the U.S. from China when he was age 4 — he nonetheless is excited about “meeting new people.”

At Swarthmore, Cheung plans to study philosophy and STEM disciplines like chemistry, with the ultimate goal of getting a degree in medicine.

He was inspired to do so, in no small part, by an internship at Allen County

Regional Hospital, where his favorite departments were surgery and pharmacy.

At college, Cheung is also looking forward to improving his Mandarin, so that he can “talk to [his] grandma in Hong Kong.”

His words of wisdom to other students and the future were: “If you’ve got an activity you can do in less than 5 minutes, get it done now.”

Reaching for the stars ANDRE QUINN - VALEDICTORIAN

Iola High School valedictorian Andre Quinn has a scientific mind.

He’s always questioning. Always testing.

Always examining the possibilities.

Quinn has plans to study astronomy, saying he finds it appealing because it carries so many unknowns.

“There’s so much to learn. The universe is so massive. It’s so awe-inspiring. A major appeal of astronomy is delving into a field that essentially feels like discovering your passion for the beauty of the universe for the first time, every time,” he said.

His public school education has taught him that the same qualities he appreciates about science can apply to all areas of life.

Quinn gives three examples: American History: Teacher Travis Hermstein taught him to evaluate conspiracy theories like the Kennedy assassination from different perspectives.

Was a lone assassin responsible? Are other theories possible?

Question. Test. Examine.

Psychology and sociology: Our interactions with others shape how we view ourselves. Once, when he was a

Adryan Nading 4

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

junior, he wore cowboy boots with shorts during a flood. It made sense. The weather was warm, but he needed shoes that could withstand high water.

“Needless to say, the reaction was interesting. Ultimately, I came to the decision I wouldn’t try that again,” he recalled. “It felt like my own decision, but would I have chosen to stop doing that if not for the influence of other people?”

Music: Band has played an important role in his life. Music, he’s found, is just as worthy of that same systematic, scientific approach as anything else.

“It’s just about figuring out how things work, and it’s not a definite outcome,” he said. “You can play the same musical piece

and interpret it in so many different ways.”

Learning to play a musical instrument paved the road to his future success.

He struggled to force some sort of sound out of his baritone during those first few weeks in band, in sixth grade.

His instructor at the time, Matt Kleopfer, wouldn’t let him give up.

“Up until that point, I was never the most dedicated type of person,” Quinn said. “Usually when an event or activity got too difficult, I’d rather give up than push through.”

But Mr. K wouldn’t let him quit. He told him, “Failure isn’t a bad thing. Just because you’re not succeeding doesn’t mean you’re not making progress. All you have to do is keep putting in the effort.”

Quinn eventually found success with his instrument. He now plays the tuba and is an accomplished musician.

Question. Test. Examine.

“I had proof his philosophy actually worked,” he said. “You can make something really beautiful happen with enough effort.”

Chemistry spurs career choice CARLIE PAYNE - VALEDICTORIAN

Carlie Payne has always thrived at school, as evidenced by her spotless 4.0 grade-point average.

She credits her parents and teachers, as honors students are wont to do.

“My parents have a high work ethic, and they inspired me over the years to keep pushing through to do the best I could,” Payne said.

But some of her most lasting lessons came not in the classroom, but the tennis court.

The mental preparation for tennis matches was invaluable, she said.

“Every opponent you play is different,” Payne said.

Are they left- or right-handed? Do they respond differently to lobs or ground

strokes? Can they move laterally?

“They have different strengths and weaknesses,” Payne said. “You learn it and use it to your advantage.”

Last fall Payne earned a berth in the Class 4A state singles tournament.

“That was one of my big goals,” she said.

Now, even with her truncated senior year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Payne has reached another lofty goal.

“She is one of five valedictorians for the IHS class of 2020.

Earning a 4.0 GPA wasn’t always among her scholastic dreams.

“It was just to do the best I could,” she said. “But it slowly morphed into going for it.”

Payne will head next to Pittsburg State University to major in biochemistry.

In touring colleges, Pitt State stood out for its friendliness.

“Teachers knew every student by name.

I like the overall environment, with everything closer and tighter,” she said.

The love of chemistry, meanwhile, became her life’s dream after taking classes under Dana Daugharthy at Iola High.

“I’ve had really good teachers through the years who have a way of making it super

interesting and keeping you involved,” she said. “I just loved trying to solve the problems and learning new things.”

With Mr. Daugharthy, “He’ll have a question, where you can work alone or with groups, but it can take a week or two to get the answer,” she said. “But then you’ll have that ‘AHA moment’ and think, oh my goodness, this is awesome.”

Payne capped her high school career by being named drum major for the IHS Marching Mustangs.

As such, she served as an assistant band director of sorts. “I really wanted to have a leadership role.”

Coming to grips with school ending abruptly, “was pretty rough at first,” she said.

“All of the ‘lasts’ people talk about since kindergarten, what you’re pushing for, a lot of those plans got derailed,” Payne said. “It was senior year, and this was the quarter when it was supposed to be super fun.”

She carries a message to future seniors: “Just keep pushing forward and do the best you can. It’s not the same for everybody, but you’ll find the way to do the best you can.”

Morrison makes goal KELSEY MORRISON - VALEDICTORIAN Becoming an Iola High valedictorian was a goal Kelsey Morrison had since her freshman year.

“We wrote letters my freshman year in health and P.E., and that was one of things that I put down — that I want to have a 4.0 GPA in high school. I’m extremely proud of it,” Morrison said. “It was a lot of hard work, and there were times I would lose it, and be stressing out about classes, but in the end, I did extra credit and whatever it took.”

Morrrison’s academic success is attributed to her ability to stay on task, a trait she perhaps learned from her time in Iola athletics.

Morrison is a three-sport athlete, who made a trip to the 4A state cross country meet her freshman and senior year. She was also the only returning starter for the Fillies during basketball, and is committed to continue her softball career at Allen Community College next fall.

“In sports you have to have a work POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

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Torre DePriest / Lauren McDermeit ethic, and always give 110%,” Morrison said. “I think that really played a role with school, and helping me learn how to prioritize certain things.”

With a lot on her plate, Morrison learned a valuable lesson: Don’t procrastinate.

“Yeah, I like to get things done and get them out of the way,” she said.

Being proactive also never hurts. When Morrison needed to, she took extra credit opportunities.

“It would really depend on what my grade was in the class,” Morrison said.

“If I had a high grade in the class, then I wouldn’t really worry about it. If it was lower, and I thought I could boost myself up to make me more comfortable, then I

would do it.”

Over the course of her high school career Morrison can single out one single project — that she got to do twice.

For both American history and twice for a college literature class, Morris interviewed a senior family member to gather their impressions of today compared to when they were young.

Another fun project was in physics when students were challenged to construct a cardboard car.

“I was partnered with Ella Taylor,” Morrison said. “We spent three days, about two hours each day, on the car. We were getting close to being done when I learned school was canceled.”

Morrison said the abrupt end to

her senior year due to the COVID-19 pandemic was a disappointment, but she’s holding on to the positive memories.

“Mr. Hermstein’s world history class was very challenging. I learned a lot from him, and really liked the way he pushed me,” Morrison said. “Then with Mrs. Kauth’s math class, again, I like the way she pushed us. Those were the most challenging classes, and I feel the most challenging classes are the ones where the teachers wanted you to learn.”

After her two years at ACC, Morrison is uncertain where her future will lead her.

She hopes to stay in Kansas for a four-year degree, leaning possibly in the direction of sports medicine.

FFA broadened her horizons TORRE DEPRIEST

The thought of giving a speech terrorized Torre DePriest when she was a shy sophomore.

“I was so nervous,” DePriest recalled.

A one-on-one with FFA adviser Amanda Strickler helped DePriest realize her fears were overblown.

“There’s no reason to be nervous. These are your friends and they have to do this, too. They aren’t going to make fun of you,” Strickler had told DePriest when she was a first-year Greenhand in the FFA world.

“She helped me grow as a person, especially in public speaking and getting out of my comfort zone,” DePriest said.

Headed to Kansas State University in the fall, DePriest is considering a career in agriculture business, specializing in advertising and marketing. She also works at Audacious Boutique in addition to helping out at a local veterinarian clinic.

DePriest credits her work, school and

Tiffany Dokes 6

club experiences as bolstering her selfconfidence.

“I am able to go up to people and make a connection,” she said. “I never would have done that before.”

DePriest didn’t grow up on a farm, although family members had cattle and she would help feed them every once in a while. She signed up for FFA during an activity fair in eighth grade.

“Honestly, it was probably the best decision I ever made. FFA has truly changed my life.”

FFA isn’t just for farm kids, she said.

Perhaps that’s why the group changed its name from Future Farmers of America to simply “FFA.” The organization has taught DePriest a great deal about herself, especially when it comes to public speaking and competition. She’s traveled to state competitions in Manhattan, which offer

a chance to bond with classmates, get to know students from across the state and challenge yourself in a new environment.

She was part of a dairy judging team that qualified for a national competition last October.

Her fellow FFA members are also her best friends.

She was looking forward to more competitions this spring and summer, but that’s unlikely due to the abrupt end to the

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

school year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some events could be offered as online competitions, but she isn’t quite sure how or if that will work.

She’s sad to miss things like prom. And her softball season was over before it began.

She’s not sure what kind of graduation ceremony, if any, might be scheduled.

“You have all these things and they’re just kind of stripped away from you,” she said.

She’s trying to look on the bright side, though. She looks back on how much she

has changed from that shy, nervous student, learning to compete at FFA competitions.

“It truly has changed me for the better,” she said. “It has helped me grow a lot.”

earning an 89 in biology her first semester as a freshman.

Much like now, the near-miss helped shape her inner drive.

also has seen its year partially derailed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Which means not only is McDermeit unable to go to school each day, she’s also lost her after-school job for the time being.

She’s hoping the dance studio will still have a summer recital, even if it’s delayed.

“That’s the one thing I really care about,” she said. “I’ve been there my entire life.”

Literally, since she was 3.

“It’s been like my second family, first with (instructors) Tasia (Chaudry) and Jesse (Cooper) and Now Chelsea (Lea.) Chelsea has been more of a mentor and friend.”

Once this most unusual school year wraps up, McDermeit will head to Kansas State University to study business.

Her dream is to open a dance studio, preferably in a small community not unlike Iola, but one without a studio already in place.

She has taken notes of different towns she passes between Iola and Manhattan to find potential landing spots.

“I’ve got my eye on a couple places,” she said.

She touts her experience with FBLA as a key element of her dance studio dream.

“I’ve learned a lot,” she said, noting FBLA competitions deal with many of the same concepts business owners face, as well as education on how the economy functions.

“It definitely deals with real world stuff,” she said.

She never caught senioritis LAUREN MCDERMEIT

Like many of her classmates, Lauren McDermeit lost a vital part of her senior year when the state closed schools two months early because of COVID-19.

“I never realized how much I’d miss doing the work in the classrooms, and with the teachers,” she said. “Something I’ll really miss, is not having a normal ‘can’t wait to leave’ senioritis moment.”

McDermeit is taking her abbreviated school year with a philosophical — if not humorous — approach.

“There was a lot of stuff I was not ready to be done with,” she said. But realizing the situation, she alloted herself a full eight hours to sulk.

By the next morning, McDermeit was ready to embrace whatever the future has in store.

“This whole situation helped me,” she said. “It helped me self-motivate, helped me see the positive in things and not just be a grump monster.

“I think the most it has done for me is made me focus on self-motivation,” she said. “I also always told myself that if I had more time I would clean my room. Now I realize I am just lazy and that I have no intentions of ever cleaning my room.”

All joking aside, there’s plenty of reason for optimism.

McDermeit graduates from Iola High School with a 3.98 grade-point average.

She finished one point shy of all A’s,

“I thought for a while that well, this is out the window, I’m never going to college, never going to have a career,” she joked.

But then came an epiphany.

She gave up trying for perfect grades, and they happened anyway.

“All you do is put in the effort. I was kind of OK with getting a few B’s after that, but never did.”

McDermeit had plenty outside the classroom to keep her occupied.

She was captain of the IHS cheer squad, served as president of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter and was vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter.

She also works as a student instructor at Miss Chelsea’s Dance Academy, which

Breanna Northcutt

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Zavi Evans / Haley Carlin & Lexi Vega / Sadrie Overall / Gaby Lampe

Next up: Dental hygiene school ZAVI EVANS

Zavi Evans said the pandemic has proved “how fast things can get crazy in the world.”

And the switch to online classes has made her appreciate having a traditional school day where her friends and teachers are.

Evans has been active in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) over the past couple of years. She especially enjoyed its annual Christmas project where members raised funds to provide gifts for children. “It made their Christmases better than what they usually are,” she said.

Thanks to FCCLA, Evans also had an opportunity to travel to Ottawa, where she and others learned about motivation and overcoming adversity.

Throughout the pandemic, Evans has been operating as an “essential worker” at Iola Walmart, a job she said can sometimes get “pretty crazy.”

“Think about things,” while you’re out shopping, she kindly asks of residents.

“Take a deep breath.”

Although it’s often a challenge to help people during difficult times, Evans nonetheless has had customers tell her “thank you for working,” and that they are proud of her.

Evans expressed great sadness over not getting to participate in graduation and other spring events, saying they were “the only things I cared about … and they were taken.”

She was especially “in love” with her prom dress and described it as the most “favorite one I ever had.”

Nevertheless, Evans still has many happy memories of high school, including a perhaps surprising one: geometry class.

Having lots of great friends in the course really helped, she said.

Evans also has exciting memories

linked to cheering on the Mustangs in football, including when the team battled Parsons in overtime this past season.

Evans had initially set her sights on cosmetology school, but after learning more about Flint Hills Technical College, she’s now planning to pursue the training necessary to become a dental hygienist.

The show must go on LEXIE VEGA & HALEY CARLIN

For theater students, the Little Oscars caps the year with unequaled fanfare. Lexi Vega and Haley Carlin are two theater students who have been a part of the spectacle the last three years.

“For theater kids, it is almost bigger than graduation!” Vega said of the annual banquet.

But in order to understand an event

of this magnitude, it helps to picture the setting. First off, the event is held in the Bowlus Fine Arts Center and includes a catered dinner.

“All of the girls wear prom dresses, and the boys wear tuxedos,” Carlin said.

“We have a huge dinner with all of the parents, and then we move into the main

Lexie Vega as Dorothy, left, and Haley Carlin as Glinda the Good Witch

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auditorium where there are 10 student performances. People can sing songs to a theme. Last year our theme was Broadway, and everyone sang songs from their favorite Broadway production.”

Just like the real Oscars ceremony, the awards include those for best actor/ actress, best supporting actor/actress, best director, set design, and many more. The awards are decided by a secret committee chosen by drama instructor Regina Chriestenson.

For seniors like Vega and Carlin, this final Little Oscars is a culmination of all their hard work in their theatre careers at Iola High.

“It was really disappointing at first, because my junior year was the first year I had ever won a Little Oscar,” said Carlin

of her performance as Glinda (the Good Witch) in “The Wizard of Oz.” As a past winner, Carlin would have had the honor of bestowing the award to this year’s winner.

“That would have been exciting,” she said.

Carlin is headed to Washburn University in the fall where she plans to major in marketing and minor in music.

Vega is headed to ACC and then onto Emporia State University. She has dreams of becoming a high school speech and drama teacher.

Carlin had high praise for her classmates’ performances in the fall play “Puffs,” singling out River Hess’s parody of Harry Potter and Gaby Lampe as the narrator as her favorite performances.

For Vega, “Sadrie Overall really came out of her shell. She had never really done theater before, but got a really good character, and actually was a guy! She played a really good role.”

Vega and Carlin, along with the rest of the theater students have no plans for a make-up Little Oscars banquet. But a summer barbecue sounds good.

Overall said the mascot stint during her junior and senior years was not only a lot of fun, it also boosted her confidence.

“My joke,” she added, is “I didn’t make it onto the cheer team, so I became the mascot.”

Though her vision wasn’t able to ultimately materialize, Overall also put in a lot of work to create a unique mascot for the IHS Fillies, Fraz the Fillie (a name meant to honor the Frazelle family).

“I was genuinely excited for it,” adding she was motivated by wanting to do something special for female athletes at her school.

Another favorite activity of Overall’s was participating (and excelling) at Forensics.

At first this surprised her, she said, given that it was “never really something I thought that I’d enjoy.”

But it didn’t take long before she was hooked, and stayed hooked across all four years of high school — not to mention going to state all four years.

She cherished mascot role SADRIE OVERALL

Sadrie Overall is one of those students who is proud to have been involved in just about everything – including being a homecoming candidate and editor of the yearbook – but her main claim to fame is serving as the IHS mascot, Marv the Mustang.

“I always wanted to do it,” Overall said.

“I fell in love with everything about it,” Overall said, and was looking forward to performing “The Little Mermaid” her senior year, where she got a special kick out of doing the voices for characters like Sebastian the crab.

Overall is planning to attend Allen Community College in the fall, and has already received an offer to be the first Red Devils mascot.

She’s also going to be doing work study for athletic training, which will serve her in her quest to become a physical therapist.

Simply put, “I like helping people,” she said, as to her choice of future career.

Theater helped pull her through GABY LAMPE

A gifted actress, speaker and performer, Gaby Lampe qualified for state Forensics three years running, and was on course to do so again prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With their eyes on the state competition, Lampe and her “duos”

Jasmine Ledford

partner, Sadrie Overall, were feeling great about their win in the Pioneer League.

Next up for the duo was a humorous version of “The Little Mermaid,” where the challenge includes not looking at or touching your fellow actors.

This was part of the reason she said she

“really wasn’t OK” when she found out about the abrupt end to her senior year.

“I walked into my last day of school without realizing it,” she said.

Lampe said she felt inspired to do Forensics because she loved the people.

“Everyone would be so supportive,” she said.

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Shane Winner / River Hess / Isabella Duke “It made us a huge family for each other.”

As an actress, Lampe won two Little Oscars for roles in “Our Town” (Rebecca Gibbs) and “The Wizard of Oz” (The Jitterbug).

She also played the Narrator in “Puffs,” a Harry Potter spin-off, and added that the cast “never got tired of performing,” and that there was “constant energy.”

Lampe said she really appreciated the message of productions like “The Theory of Relativity,” which is especially pertinent since it emphasizes how “everybody is there for you, even in your darkest times.”

Though Lampe said she’s “a little nervous,” she’s still looking forward to attending Wichita State University to pursue a career in physical therapy, and also plans to rush for a sorority.

She said physical therapy inspired her since it’s all about “pushing people through their hardest times.”

Like most students, Lampe said she had “a few rough times in high school,” but nevertheless tried to stay positive.

She emphasized how important it is for students to “not be afraid to show their true selves,” and to “really not take your

time in high school for granted.”

Winner off to Davidson SHANE WINNER

With an abundance of different clubs and activities available at Iola High, Shane Winner kept it simple his senior year. Some Scholar’s Bowl, but most importantly — just learning.

Even though music had been a big part of his life for the last six years, Winner begged out this last year. With another new band

translated to determination in the

director for the third time in Winner’s six

that I wanted to try the harder ones.”

classroom.

“There was always a new piece that was harder to play, and the whole band would want to get good at it so we could play somewhere,” Winner said. “It is kind of the same thing with classes, in the sense

years, he felt it was time for a break.

The hard work in the classroom

“After switching band directors once

has paid off. Winner will be attending

already, I didn’t want to have to switch again for just one year and try to get acclimated to the teacher,” Winner said. “I

Davidson College in North Carolina, learning things.”

made famous by the NBA’s Stephen Curry.

While some seniors are diagnosed with

“Actually when I was there, they had a

decided to take more classes instead, but

“senioritis,” near the tail end of their high

cut-out of him at the bookstore,” Winner

I still wanted to play, so I did pep band,”

school career, Winner only increased his

said of a visit to the school.

during the basketball season.

workload, taking dual-credit government,

With more free time, Winner devoted

Davidson’s academic reputation is

calculus, and composition and literature

equally stellar, which excites Winner. With

more time to his job at Coronado’s

through Allen Community College. He

that said, he knows challenges lie ahead.

Mexican Restaurant, and to his studies.

was also involved in the wind and energy

“Just being far away does incite some

program and took advanced chemistry at

nervousness. It always will be fun to come

the high school.

back home to see friends and family.”

“When I was in school, all I ever heard was ‘secure your future and go to college,’ but for me, I just liked being in class

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Winner admits his mindset in band

Finds self in role play RIVER HESS

River Hess has portrayed so many characters in school and community plays that even he sometimes wonders what makes him tick.

He’s been a wizard. A brainless scarecrow. A milkman. The son of a racist mayor. A mean baker. A dastardly snake oil salesman. A fan of Willie Wonka.

So who is River Hess, offstage?

“In the coming years, I’m going to have to start growing up fast. People get nervous about that, especially when you don’t know what you want to do.”

His voice often breaks into character, as if he’s mimicking someone from a cartoon. His dream job, if he has such a thing, might be as a voice actor.

He doesn’t know what kind of career he wants. For a while, he wanted to run a greenhouse. Or work as a massage therapist.

He works at the local movie theater, but doesn’t watch a lot of movies.

He qualified for the state forensics competition last year with his best friend and duet partner, Lexie Vega. He was looking forward to performing his humorous-but-serious piece, “Going Grapefruit,” about a man who was in an accident that causes him to use the wrong words. But with the abrupt end to the school year because of the coronavirus pandemic, he won’t get the chance to take his performance to state.

He’s disappointed about that, but likes that the pandemic allows him to do his school work at home. He considers traditional school as too long and distracting.

He likes to take long walks, for two or three hours at a time.

He’s scared to meet new people.

He loves the theater because the cast and crew become family in a matter of weeks.

He tells himself he doesn’t care what

other people think. But he says he is “terrified of making a fool of myself.”

He doesn’t want to be defined by stereotypes or cliches.

He doesn’t want to come off as overconfident. Yet, he describes himself as someone who struggles with confidence.

“I do prefer to perform as a character.

I don’t like to perform as River Hess,” he said. “If I have to get up on stage and perform a speech, I’m like…” His voice makes a screeching sound that’s something of a cross between a dinosaur and a mouse. “WAAA-EEEEK!” Hess plans to attend ACC on a theater scholarship, though he’s not quite sure what he will do in the future.

“I think college is like a maturation period where you learn how to be an adult,” he theorizes.

“At some point, I’ll have to get a career?” he says with a sense of wonder and disbelief.

“My long-term goals are always changing. Ultimately, I want to make enough money to be able to enjoy life.”

involved then you’d start to appreciate high school and you’d keep up your grades,” Duke said.

Now, with the 2019-20 school year stopped in its tracks due to the coronavirus pandemic, you’d expect Duke’s schedule to be substantially slower paced.

You’d be wrong.

Without classes to fill her day, Duke asked her bosses at A&W Family Restaurant for more work hours.

They obliged.

“Now that we’ve been quarantined, my life has slowed down some, but it’s been different,” she said. “I’m still keeping busy

with other things. I’ve just been a busy bee my entire life.”

Duke has found that many of her passions include performing.

School plays and Forensics, obviously, rely on dramatic talent.

The busier the better ISABELLA DUKE

Staying busy has never been a problem for Isabella Duke.

Outside of school, the Iola High School senior filled her schedule with participating in school plays and joining the Forensics team, FFA, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a number of sports.

Plus, there’s the volunteer work Duke did outside of school for Humanity House, a community service element of her National Honor Society commitment, which recognizes students for both academic achievement and their citizenship.

“I always believed that if you were really

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

11

Trevelle Means / Allie Utley / Brody Nemecek Funny thing is that her work with FBLA, the Future Business Leaders of America chapter, also relies on a performance of sorts.

She recalls one FBLA competition on impromptu speaking was to be about business matters. “My prepared speech was on community events and community service, something I halfway knew about,” she laughed.

Duke wowed the judges, winning a state championship in the spring of 2019.

She’ll be unable to defend that title, first because of COVID-19, and second because rules prohibit students from competing at state in the same event.

“That was a little disappointing,” she noted.

Nevertheless, Duke has the memories, as well as those from the national competition with fellow seniors Lexie Vega and Ella Taylor.

“It was just a blast,” she said. “I never had so much fun on a school trip as that.”

Having school abruptly cut short has taken an emotional toll, Duke admits.

“It didn’t really hit me until I saw a sign at the Bowlus saying it was temporarily closed, and I just started crying,” she said. “My last play was there, and I didn’t realize it.”

Still, she embraces the positives.

“I haven’t been sitting at home, twiddling my thumbs.”

Duke plans on attending the University of Kansas to study psychology.

She decided on that course of study after taking a psychology course at Allen Community College as part of a dual credit class.

“I loved my instructor, I loved my classes,” she said. “I instantly fell in love.”

She leaves Iola High with a tinge of regret. Her schedule was so busy at times she missed some school events.

“I never went to basketball games, because I was always working,” she said.

“Looking back, I wish I would’ve. That’s where you make your outside memories, the friendships and bonds you’ll always have.”

lighter, he said. “I’m not pulling allnighters anymore.”

Means said it’s “weird, not going to have a graduation,” and “it definitely was something I was looking forward to,” especially after attending those of his brothers and sisters.

He also expressed disappointment over missing out on prom and that his date had already bought her (nonrefundable) dress.

Means plans to attend Allen Community College on a cheer team scholarship in the fall. Even though he’s never participated in sports, the cheer position has him intrigued.

After recently taking a Care of Athletes course, he was also inspired to become an

understudy for the athletic trainer at ACC. Means currently works at G&W Foods in Iola, and said it “hasn’t really sunk in” that he’s interacting with the public in the midst of a pandemic.

“I just think about it as I’m doing my job,” he said. “People need their groceries.”

And though some people thank him for being at work, others have not been shy to criticize.

“People get upset when we’re too close,” he said, and mentioned how not everyone perceives “6 feet” of social distancing in the same way.

Means said the experience of the pandemic has taught him “to go with the flow and be more patient with everything.”

For example, one high school experience she found “life-changing” was when, in response to the 2018 shootings at Parkland High School, she and other IHS students participated in a “walk-out,” where they left school in protest and marched around the Iola square.

With regard to standing up for what she believes in, she said “people won’t always agree with you, but it’s the right thing to do.”

One instance where she fought for a cause regarded changing the name of Iola’s “Coon Creek” back to its original name, “Small Creek.”

Means goes with the flow TREVELLE MEANS

Like other seniors, Trevelle Means’ life was affected by the pandemic in a number of ways.

“I’m still trying to get used to a new normal,” he said.

His study load is now considerably

Working for change ALLIE UTLEY

Though she admitted high school was pretty rough at times, Allie Utley said she was still “grateful” to have gone through it.

Things might have gone smoother, but Utley is no ordinary student.

Instead, she’s a political activist who’s not one to avoid controversy.

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POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

Thanks to some help from Spencer and Helen Ambler, longtime African Americans who agreed that the name was racist and needed changing, she was successful.

Another successful, though more personally difficult cause Utley engaged in, was lobbying Iola High School to retain only its gender-neutral “Mustangs” mascot, instead of having separate mascots for men’s and women’s sports.

Dropping the Fillies mascot led to significant controversy.

“I lost a lot of friends,” said Utley. “It took the life out of me.”

That said, she still believes it was the right thing to do, adding the experience made her a “stronger person,” and taught her to “persevere through hardships.”

When asked what inspires her political activities, Utley said “if I had a daughter,” it would be of the utmost importance that “she’d be equal,” that she believes she “can be anything [she] wanted to be.”

When asked if she felt like she’d grown

up too fast, Utley said “I tried being a kid … it didn’t work out for me.”

“I couldn’t just sit around and have fun,” especially following the election of leaders she perceived as damaging to the country or the community.

Allie Utley, left, and Lexie Vega That said, she did enjoy being a “Bowlus kid,” and said she really appreciates having “grown up in a community that values the arts.”

She also loved playing tennis, where she and her doubles partner were able to go to state.

Utley found that she wasn’t alone in her political commitments, however, especially after joining the Young Democrats and working with a new local LGBT support group.

She’s now serving as secretary of the Young Dems for the entire state.

And her political vision is also taking her other places, including not only the state capitol in Topeka for clubs and internships, but to work with the nonprofit “Loudlight.”

“I love working for change,” she said, but “I never want to run for office.”

Instead, Utley is considering political science or sociology and staying close to the nonprofit world, where she was deeply inspired by being an intern at Thrive Allen County.

As for some words of wisdom, Utley said “be unafraid to say the unpopular thing. It’s amazing what a truth bomb will do for a community.”

It’s always been agriculture BRODY NEMECEK

In normal times, Brody Nemecek would be traveling across the country to various competitions for FFA and 4-H, showing animals and participating in judging competitions. But these aren’t normal times.

Instead, he’s stuck at home like high school seniors all over the nation, finishing his classes online and wondering when normal will return.

After high school, Nemecek is heading to Butler Community College in El Dorado where he’ll be part of the livestock judging team. After that, he plans to transfer to Kansas State University to study agriculture.

But the coronavirus pandemic means even college is uncertain, as many schools already are talking about keeping classes online this fall.

“Part of the reason it’s so scary is because there’s so much unknown. It’s a harsh reality, but there’s nothing I can do to change it,” Nemecek said.

“I just try to keep busy and not think about it. Luckily, living on a farm, there’s always something to do so I’ve got plenty of things to take care of.”

Agriculture has always played a role in Nemecek’s life. His grandfather and uncles were agriculture teachers, and he grew up on a farm taking care of animals.

“I lived and breathed agriculture every day,” he said.

He competed in agricultural events first through 4-H, and in FFA in high school.

His freshman year, he was Greenhand president. He became chapter president his sophomore year, and has continued to serve in that role.

He earned the right to compete at state FFA contests his freshman year and each successive year. He’s competed in national events for the past two years. Last year, he was part of a national livestock judging team that placed second, and he scored second as an individual.

IHS’s dairy team has been particularly successful. Nemecek also has found

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

13

Drake Hottenstein / Alayna & Emma Johnson success in livestock judging.

This year, he could have completed his high school career with a full slate of state appearances and three trips to nationals.

But the coronavirus pandemic interfered, and it’s unlikely he’ll get that chance.

“I was really hoping to win as a team

and go to Indianapolis for the National FFA contest,” he said. “Hopefully they can find a way to have it. I know that’s probably not going to happen, but I’m trying to be optimistic.”

And although his high school career seems to have ended on a rather

surprising and abrupt note, Nemecek encourages younger students to explore opportunities through FFA, whether they grew up in agriculture or not.

“If you truly commit and practice hard, you can be successful,” he said.

in my theory of certainty.

I thought students could always count on coming to school, seeing their classmates, being able to interact with their teachers, enjoy activities and athletics.

All of a sudden, none of these things are certain.

The only solace is the understanding that every high school senior in Kansas is going through the same thing, an experience that will forever link this group in history.

As the school year comes to a close,

do not let uncertainty lead to inaction.

Embrace this new challenge before you. You are the best and we have been humbled that you have trusted us with your education.

We are extremely proud of you all and we celebrate your collective accomplishment as graduates of the Class of 2020.

Thank you, Stacey Fager

Still learning new lessons STACEY FAGER - SUPERINTENDENT On behalf of the USD 257-Iola Board of Education, I commend our seniors for their hard work and determination and also recognize their parents and grandparents for providing the family support necessary for each senior to reach this goal of graduation.

Two years ago, I gave my first graduation speech as a new superintendent. What I chose to discuss at that time was how many things in our life are “certain,” and how going forward after graduation is often a time of “uncertainty.”

The pandemic today has blown a hole

Superintendent USD 257-Iola

“Do not let uncertainty lead to inaction.”

HUMBOLDT HIGH SCHOOL

A Governor’s Scholar DRAKE HOTTENSTEIN - LION’S CLUB TOP STUDENT Drake Hottenstein is intrigued with the miracle of the human body. Specifically, its mechanics. How elbows and knees bend. Eyes blink and knuckles crack. And how to replicate such motions artificially.

As such, Hottenstein is planning to pursue biomedical engineering at Wichita State University next year.

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POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

“I’ve always been interested in medicine, but didn’t know what field,” he said. Hottenstein said volunteering and a six-month stint at job shadowing at Allen County Regional Hospital this past year not only whetted his interest in medicine, but specifically that of prosthetics.

The world of prosthetics is broad

Senior Spotlights

— from artificial limbs and hands, to dentures or heart valves.

Hottenstein selected WSU because of its biomedical engineering program.

“It’s the best in the state,” he said.

He also likes its campus.

“It’s smaller than KU, but it’s still a Division One school in athletics,” he said.

As far as he knows, he’s the only Humboldt grad this year continuing on at WSU. The Humboldt Lions club recognized Hottenstein as the top male student of the

2020 senior class. He is on track to graduate with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

He’s also been named a Governor’s 2020 Scholar.

As a student, Hottenstein has been active in FCA, FFA, National Honors Society, weightlifting, basketball and golf.

As for the coronavirus pandemic, Hottenstein said, “It’s getting boring being at home, and I hope things can get back to normal as quickly as possible.”

He said he thought the fact that Allen

County has yet to report any positive cases of COVID-19 is a result of its strict self-quarantine measures.

“I’m OK staying at home if it keeps people from getting sick,” he said. In the grand scheme of things, Drake said the pandemic “hasn’t affected me all that much. Although my senior year did not end as planned, I won’t let it affect my outlook going forward.”

Sisters and best friends ALAYNA AND EMMA JOHNSON

Alayna and Emma Johnson are twins to the core.

Yes, Alayna is taller. And Emma’s hair is darker. But the sisters are so in tune with one another that they finish the other’s thoughts, perhaps without even realizing they are doing so.

With their final semester at Humboldt High interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the girls try to take the long view.

“At first I was very upset. I was really looking forward to prom and our senior trip to Nashville,” said Alayna.

Ditto, said Emma. “But then I realized this is affecting everyone around the world, and there’s a good reason for this self-quarantine.”

For the girls, their mother’s affliction

Joshua Smi

with lupus has made them more aware than most of the dangers of the virus, which as yet has no known cure.

“Even before the governor issued the stay-at-home guidelines, we were selfquarantining,” Emma said. “Despite the sadness of losing some of the best times of high school, I had to remember that it was a decision made for the safety of our students and community.”

Of the two, Emma has more classes on her schedule this semester, including trigonometry and economics at Allen Community College as well as physics.

She’s also editor of the high school’s newspaper, Cub Tracks.

Alayna’s classes are economics and literature at ACC and she is editor of the

school yearbook.

Both have nursing as their career goals.

Alayna plans to study at Manhattan Christian and Emma is enrolled at Kansas State University.

“Our dorms are only two blocks apart,” they said.

Alayna has signed to play volleyball at Manhattan Christian. The college is in partnership with KSU so she can take classes there as well. She plans to double major, with a degree in Bible and Leadership from Manhattan Christian and in nursing from KSU. Alayna said a job shadowing program at Allen County Regional Hospital this past year helped her settle on a goal of becoming a nurse. She especially liked working in the emergency room.

Emma’s schoolwork prevented her from participating in the hospital’s popular program with high-schoolers.

Alayna said she’s excited about the college experience.

Emma falls quiet.

“I’m a little nervous about making friends,” she admits, and nods her sister’s

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

15

ALLISON HEIM ZOI YOHO

PIETER VENTER

PROM

ALEX MORRIS & KATELYNN ROGERS

JOSEPH FROGATTE

VERONICA BULK

GABRIELLA LAMPE

DANI FEES

ALAYNA & EMMA JOHNSON

LAUREN MCDERMEIT & JACK EYSTER

HALEY CARLIN

2020

MAYTE BREITHAUPT

MARY CRITES

ELYSIA KUNKLER

COOPER JARO

JULIANA SPRAGUE

ISABELLA DUKE & NATE MCALOON

KELSEY MORRISON & CAL LEONARD

CARLIE PAYNE & ADRYAN NADING

Nichole Turner / Cooper Jaro / Conor Haviland way, saying, “She’s the outgoing one. We’ve always had the same friends. I think I’ll miss that.”

ALAYNA had expected to participate in track and field this spring, concentrating on the javelin and discus.

Emma had signed up for softball.

They also were looking forward to the

state journalism competition, at which

First time ever, they declare.

HHS is legendary.

They have hopes a makeshift prom and

Besides “baking a lot,” the girls have

graduation are still on the horizon for

used these slower days for what they

later this summer, though nothing has

termed as much-needed housekeeping

been made official.

duties.

Their closets have been cleaned out and

“I’d like to walk across a stage,” said Alayna.

reorganized. Their rooms are neat as a pin.

Ready for the challenges NICHOLE TURNER

Funny thing about senior years.

From the first day of school, most are focused almost exclusively on lasts.

Last day of classes. Last field trips. Last proms.

Of course, many of those lasts never even happened for this year’s high school seniors.

For Nikki Turner, the decision to shutter schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic was a major disappointment.

“I was super upset. I’m still super upset,” Turner said. “This was the part where it all pays off. Prom, senior trip.”

Celebrating such events with friends is what she misses the most.

“I didn’t know that was going to be the last time I had with them.”

Turner’s Humboldt High career nevertheless ends on a high note.

She finishes with a 3.98 grade-point average. A grade of a B in a college-level English comp II course kept her from all A’s.

Turner plans to attend Neosho County Community College next year — she’s already taken several NCCC courses online — before going on to a four-year university.

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POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

She’s unsure which school will follow, but Turner knows her major — journalism.

“I just love the dynamic structure,” she explained. “I love designing, I love talking to people, learning things, writing stories.”

She picked a good spot to get her start.

Humboldt’s journalism program, of course, is the stuff of legend, under former instructor Allen Wilhite and now Kim Isbell.

The state journalism contest was held this year, even though most other spring activities were canceled because of the pandemic. The entries were submitted online, and a few other competitions were tweaked to make it work.

“You don’t want to be the senior class that ruins the streak,” Turner said. “You just do your best and try really hard to maintain it.”

She needn’t have worried. The school learned earlier this month that Humboldt again was state champion — its 12th in a row, and 25th overall.

Turner credits a combination of factors for her classroom prowess.

“I have a pretty good memory, so I can memorize stuff easily, but I have to work

for my grades, too.”

In addition to school she held jobs at Chanute Walmart and Dairy Queen in Iola.

There were weeks when Turner would handle a full class schedule, plus work 20plus hours at both places.

“Time management,” she said simply. “I know school was most important. It was just a matter of juggling schedules.”

The bizarre school year has offered her a sense of perspective — and a better appreciation for life at Humboldt High.

“Appreciate this moment,” she said. “It goes by really fast, and you don’t know what will happen.”

An ambassador for Ag COOPER JARO

There’s one thing about Cooper Jaro.

He’s the real deal.

“I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but my social life hasn’t changed one bit because of this pandemic,” he said.

That’s because from sunup to sundown, Cooper is working either on his studies or his family’s expansive farm east of town.

His senior year is loaded down with trigonometry and government economics at Allen Community College as well as a slew of classes at HHS. The lack of sufficient internet at their rural home has thrown up a few roadblocks, Cooper admitted.

“I have to use a hot spot on my phone,” he said, which can be lacking. The biggest hurdle has been the delay in response by instructors.

“If I have to wait a day or two for the answer to a question, then it’s not for me,” he said. “I’m a hands-on kind of learner.”

Cooper has already decided to postpone his college education if the format is solely online because of restrictions dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’ll wait until I can be there on campus,” he said.

Cooper has plans to attend Kansas State University to pursue agricultural economics.

The abrupt end to his senior year has left Cooper wanting to tie up loose ends.

One project is a 5-acre test plot of land near the Humboldt Sports Complex that he helped initiate. With the school board’s blessing, Cooper envisioned the experiment as a way to involve students with growing soybeans and corn there.

“It would give other kids the opportunity to grow things, and maybe think about going into farming,” he said.

Half of the plot was no-till, the other tilled. On an iPad he pulls up the land captured by Shawn Geffert’s drone.

Substantial contributions of seed, fertilizer, chemicals as well as loan of a John Deere planter by Beachner Grain of Chanute and Parsons have helped make his dream come true.

Cooper had hoped to tap into the 19 freshmen enrolled in the school’s ag program to help launch the project.

The test plot “could even be used as a class,” he said, ticking off the educational advantages of learning how to grow crops.

Cooper is also saying goodbye to his

eight years in Logan Pals 4-H Club. He goes out as president.

He’s ending his term as FFA president.

He’ll miss the year-end banquet and the passing of the torch.

He had a date for prom. He was signed up to play baseball. He was looking toward walking across the stage to accept his diploma.

“My mom cried when school was closed,” he said. “I felt sad for her.”

Cooper said he’s mainly stayed out at the farm during the stay-at-home order.

“I figured there’s a good reason for this quarantine. I don’t want anybody to get sick from this if they don’t have to.”

Haviland. This year, it wasn’t.

Having signed to play football at Pittsburg State next fall, Haviland faced a decision if he wanted to compete on the track or on the diamond this spring.

Mulling over the decision, Haviland decided he would stay fit best with track and field.

“I wanted to stay in shape, and baseball doesn’t really do that for you,” Haviland said.

Turns out the decision to go with Coach Eric Carlson’s program was little more

than a mental exercise.

“I got to practice for one week. To be honest, it was hell. We had to do a timed 800, and that killed me.”

Haviland had a stellar football season under center, leading Humboldt to a state semifinals appearance where the Cubs fell to the eventual state champion, Nemaha Central, 44-28.

Haviland combined for 2,909 total yards, with 2,436 of those yards coming on the ground. His efficiency rate was

A Gorilla in the making CONOR HAVILAND

Playing baseball in the spring has always been a no-brainer for Conor

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

19

Veronica Bulk / Winter Snyder / Travis King mind-boggling, averaging 17.2 yards per carry to go with 47 total touchdowns.

On defense, Haviland’s effort was just as spectacular. Haviland finished third on the team with 74 total tackles while snatching a team-high four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

“I think I can play either side of the ball, but everyone else was recruiting me as a DB,” Haviland said. “I guess Pitt saw a running back in me.”

Haviland’s report date is not until

August. In the meantime, he is getting familiar with the Gorilla offense.

“We have already had team meetings with the running backs, going over some plays. They have been sending us workouts every week.”

While Haviland may be redshirted for his freshman year, he is already itching for the spectacular traditions of college football.

“One thing that is really cool about Pitt is the Gorilla Walk. I’m looking forward to being a part of that,” Haviland said.

With a lot of time to spend, Haviland has currently been working as a farm hand for Joe Works.

And while he may be a short distance from home, he is looking forward to having his support from friends and family for his football journey.

“I’ve always had great support from my family and friends throughout my high school career,” Haviland said. “I’m kind of excited to see what my college career brings!”

Music is Bulk’s passion VERONICA BULK

In sixth grade, Roni Bulk decided to

Band was not the only activity Bulk

take a chance when she signed up for

missed out on in her final semester at

Terry Meadows’ band class at Humboldt

Humboldt High. She also competed for

Middle School. Seven years later, she

four years as a Lady Cub on the golf

knows it was the right decision.

course. “As a school sport it was fun and I

“I’ve always liked music, and it has

made quite a few friends throughout the

always been a big part of my life,” Bulk said.

years in golf.

“I have always wanted to make music.”

“At the same time, I prefer to play it

Bulk was allowed three picks for her

with my family so I can joke around and

instrument of choice in her first year. Her first was the flute, followed by percussion, and the clarinet. Bulk stayed with the flute.

Bulk credits Mr. Meadows for fostering her love of music. Without him, her band experience wouldn’t have been the same.

“He is actually really fun, and really funny,” Bulk said. “He cracks jokes all the time. He’s more of a friend to students, but also is a great teacher.”

Having the same band director for seven years is luxury, according to Bulk.

“It has helped a lot as we transitioned into more and more difficult music,” Bulk said. “After all those years, he knew how

each student learned best.”

Bulk enjoyed playing in the pep band, but admits she preferred basketball season over being outside for football.

This year, Bulk was looking forward to competing in a regional flute solo. Last year she finished second at regionals, missing state by one spot. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and school being canceled, Bulk never got the chance.

“I thought I chose a really good song, and that I got a lot better than last year,” Bulk said.

William Lassman 20

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

jump around to celebrate when I do well.”

Bulk plans to attend cosmetology school at Fort Scott Community College, and then obtain her associates degree in music. While at Fort Scott, Bulk also plans to be a part of the college’s golf team.

After her two years at Fort Scott, she plans to obtain her bachelor’s degree while working through school with her cosmetology certificate.

Clearly, Bulk has her eye on the prize.

“I’m kind of dead-set on my stuff, and if anything happens I can figure it out then,” Bulk said.

Attitude is everything WINTER SNYDER

Winter Snyder isn’t one for being idle, even when things don’t go according to plan.

Her typical school year at Humboldt High is filled with classes, athletics, extracurricular activities and a part-time job working with the elderly.

Snyder said she took the active route on the advice of upperclassmen who told her: If you want to enjoy school, get involved.

“So I did,” Snyder said.

Her competitiveness took it from there.

She became the leading scorer for the Lady Cubs basketball team, excelled in cross country and became one of the area’s premier softball players, so much so that Snyder was recruited to play softball next year at Labette Community College.

“If I was going to do something, I might as well do it right,” Snyder said.

So what was the key to her success? Self discipline? Time management? Paying attention in class?

“All of the above,” Snyder laughed. “I enjoyed it.”

The hard work paid off handsomely in and out of the classroom.

On top of her softball scholarship, Snyder ends her high school career with a 3.98 grade-point average.

Save for an 89 she earned in science as a sophomore, Snyder racked up all A’s during her high school career.

“I don’t necessarily miss going to school because we are still doing the work, but I do miss seeing my friends and teachers every day,” she said. “I will miss making all the fun memories with my friends.

I’ll miss not getting to play spring sports, going on the senior trip, and prom.”

But there was a silver lining.

With only a few online classes to occupy her time, Snyder was able to increase her workload at Exclusive Living, where she works with disabled adults.

Her affiliation with the program stemmed from her mother, Tammy, who works as a nurse.

“A couple of years ago, they needed some help. I said I could do it.”

The job’s appeal looked to carry over to college.

However, Snyder noted studying nursing and being a full-time athlete would stretch her schedule too thin, so she likely will pursue her other passion — physical education.

“I enjoy watching kids be active, making healthy choices, living healthy

lifestyles. I’ve always enjoyed working with kids.”

Being outdoors much of the time is another plus, Snyder added.

(As an aside, this interview occurred while Snyder was fishing.)

“If it wasn’t for this coronavirus, I’d be spending time with my friends,” she said.

“We’re all looking forward to when we can get back together, hopefully before we all go off to college.”

The pandemic-related closure of school offers some life lessons, she noted.

“It has changed my whole outlook on the future,” she said. “I’ll never take anything for granted and I’ll always treat things like it’s my last.

“To everyone struggling right now, keep your heads up. This won’t last forever and things will be back to normal before you know it.“

Travis King has already entered the workforce.

He finished the remainder of his high school classes online and went to work fulltime at B&W Trailer Hitches on April 28.

He works as a robotic welder, capitalizing on welding skills he learned in his ag mechanics class at Humboldt High School. During his junior year, B&W was among the local businesses who visited a job fair at HHS. King learned they would hire 17-year-olds on a part-time basis and

went to work there for the summer, then continued through his senior year.

He plans to continue working as he attends technical school, and perhaps for a while beyond that.

This past year, King studied automotive technology at a new program offered by Flint Hills Technical College at Anderson County High School in Garnett. He plans to continue studying the program next year and will earn a certificate as an automotive technician.

Mechanics is his thing TRAVIS KING

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Ty Scharff / Rachel Shaffer “It kind of surprised me how much more I need to know about engines,” he said.

He’s always enjoyed mechanical activities like welding and working on engines. He helped out a local mechanic around the time he was in late-middle and early-high school.

And even though he knew his career

likely included some sort of mechanical aspect, he still explored his options.

He took part in Talent Search and Upward Bound, programs the district offers to introduce students to colleges and help them decide what path to take. They learn about issues like ACT preparation, financial aid, applying for

college, housing and the like. They take trips to colleges. In Upward Bound, students live in a dorm for a week and take modified versions of college-level classes.

“They provide everything you need to know before you commit to something,” he said.

fell down, and loved you unconditionally.

Our teachers have challenged you to discover your abilities, to develop inquiring minds, and to overcome obstacles. Your coaches have taught you cooperation, competition and sportsmanship, even in defeat.

I assure you that although you are moving beyond high school, those same teachers will remember you and hope their encouragement travels with you on your journey. Nurture your friendships old and new; carry them forward as new people enter your life. There are so many facets to the wonderful memories you have collected. Treasure them all!

You are about to leave your comfort

zone. Soon, you will be making decisions, solving problems, and deciding which road to travel on. This will be exciting, but challenges will come your way. When you are challenged or discouraged I hope you will remember the lessons you learned at home and in school. These lessons will give you strength and courage. Have faith in yourself and be true to yourself.

Wherever life takes you, you will always be a Cub!

Always a Cub KAY LEWIS - SUPERINTENDENT

Seniors, As I look back today on your journey — a journey that started with the small, tentative steps of a kindergartener — I see how far you have progressed. You have met life’s ups and downs head on.

You are a class of resilient, determined, caring and fun-loving students. You possess the pride and confidence of a high school graduate.

It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of your journey — a journey filled with wonderful memories of all those who have supported you throughout your education in Humboldt.

Your parents have helped you, encouraged you, picked you up when you

Thank you, Kay Lewis Superintendent USD 258 - Humboldt

“Have fai in yourself and be true to yourself. ”

MARMATON VALLEY H.S.

Senior Spotlights

4-H provided a solid foundation TY SCHARFF - VALEDICTORIAN - GOVERNOR’S SCHOLAR Ty Scharff ’s sterling performance, in and out of the classroom, presents the Marmaton Valley High School senior with plenty of options.

The son of Leigh and Derek Scharff is slated to attend Pittsburg State University

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POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

in the fall, where he plans to study both pre-pharmacy and history.

How he does in those will shape the bulk of his collegiate career.

“I don’t plan on finishing both, just having them to see what I would end

up preferring,” Scharff said. “I have always liked history, but medicine has always been my career plan. College will hopefully help sort it out.”

The COVID-19 pandemic cut short Scharff ’s senior year, but not before

he cemented himself in the halls of Marmaton Valley by being named one of three valedictorians for the Class of 2020.

He’s maintained a 4.0 grade-point average, both at Marmaton Valley and via concurrent courses at Allen Community College. He also was a 2020 Governor’s Scholar.

He participates in football, basketball and track, although his senior track campaign was derailed because of COVID-19; band; National Honor Society; Kay Club and Future Business Leaders of America. Scharff also received a 4-H President’s Volunteer Service Award for his work outside the classroom.

The recognition is well deserved, said Kelci Botts, a community leader for Prairie Rose.

“Ty is a wonderful example of what 4-H can do for our youth,” Botts said in February. “He has grown into a wonderful young leader who is hard-working, respectful, and fun. I am honored to have had the privilege to work with Ty.” Scharff has been a Prairie Rose member for nine years, serving as a recreation leader, reporter, parliamentarian, president, and current vice president.

While in 4-H, he has participated in the poultry, meat goat, horticulture, shooting sports, bucket calf and leadership projects.

He is currently the junior leader for the poultry project, and worked last summer as an intern for the Southwind Extension in the Fort Scott office.

“My drive comes mostly from myself and my unwillingness to fail, but my family and teachers have also played a large part in its development,” he explained. “I always strived to be the top of my class, and it’s nice to see it come to fruition. The biggest challenge was really maintaining the same level of commitment through every year.”

Studying via computer has already become old hat in the Scharff household.

That’s how Ty has taken several ACC classes, he explained.

“That being said, I do prefer learning in person,” Scharff said. “Doing it entirely over the computer makes it less personal.

My favorite part of MV was the sense of community. The teachers are looking to help you get through studies and prepare you for life. This will be the hardest part to leave.

“While the shutdown has probably affected me less compared to others, I will definitely miss stuff like prom and the senior trip,” he continued. “Just not seeing everybody is the worst part of isolation.

“The year was actually pretty normal before the advent of the pandemic,” he continued. “The only memories that will really stick with me besides the shutdown is the fun stuff I did with my class.”

Any bits of advice for younger students?

“Keep working and don’t give up on school,” he said. “The virus will eventually pass, but an education is still important in the meantime.”

One laugh is all it took RACHEL SHAFFER - VALEDICTORIAN

Rachel Shaffer’s stage debut came when she was age 5, starring as “Mother Hen” at her Christian elementary school.

She believes she got the role because she was the tallest. Everyone one else was a chick.

She appeared on stage wearing her chapel dress. No costume, not even a mask.

She delivered her lines. Someone laughed.

“That’s it,” she realized. “That’s what I want.”

Since that moment, she has felt compelled to act. To entertain. To make people laugh.

Braden Allison

She’s gone on to perform in various plays and Forensics competitions, both as a student at Marmaton Valley High School and with community and college theaters in Iola. She plans to attend Allen Community College on a theater scholarship.

In recent years, her favorite roles have included playing the title characters in “Wildcat Katie Brown” and “Tammy: A Coming of Age Story About a Girl Who Is Part T-Rex.”

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Nate McAloon / Anthony Bottini “My whole life, I put a lot of focus on trying to figure out who I was and finding this perfect identity. I never really found one because I like doing everything,” she said.

“Every role I play offers something new to help me figure out who I am. Theater gives me an outlet to be myself but also to find myself.”

She lives in Iola, but has attended school in Moran since that Catholic school closed when she was in third grade. Her mom wanted her to attend a smaller school.

She has friends in both communities, which suits her. Perhaps it is simply her nature to reach out to people from all walks of life and try to bring them together.

She’s part of every club at MVHS

except two. She qualified for a national Forensic competition in Chicago and is disappointed the coronavirus pandemic means she won’t be able to attend.

“I even got a new suitcase for Christmas,” she lamented.

She’s an academic standout and is one of MVHS’s valedictorians.

She sees earning good grades as a responsibility.

“People call me a ‘Try Hard.’ I think you should try hard. And if I don’t, are other kids going to think it’s OK to slack off?”

She’s also the first to offer assistance to her fellow students, pitching in to help those who haven’t finished an assignment on deadline.

She’s not very tech savvy, so she’s asked

her fellow classmates to become penpals — the old fashioned way, with pen and paper and snail mail. A few have taken her up on her offer, sending each other drawings.

It has made checking the mail an exciting daily activity while she’s stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

She takes photographs, and has offered to take senior or prom photos for anyone who has not yet gotten them taken because of the pandemic. No charge.

“When I was a freshman, a couple of seniors always made sure I felt included,” she said. “My goal is to make other people feel like they can be themselves around me. My favorite thing about being a senior is being able to help kids find themselves and hope that people will accept you as you are.”

curse word.”

Instead, the word has gibberish origins, meaning to throw.

The practice became a pastime. Soon others were in on the fun.

A club was born, eventually expanding to almost 30 members, plus a couple of teachers.

McAloon wasn’t exactly restrictive with his membership policies.

“How do you determine who was a member?” he asked rhetorically. “It’s just a matter of going up and asking them if they were. If they said yes, they were members.”

He’s already approached next year’s seniors about continuing the tradition, encouraging the school to have the club officially sanctioned.

“The juniors are absolutely willing to carry on this legacy,” McAloon laughed.

Adding doses of humor to the halls at Marmaton Valley has become something

of a tradition for McAloon, whose athletic career ended with a knee injury as an underclassman.

“I was actually a shy kid,” he noted. “My freshman year, I tried out for the play, and had a really good time with that.”

Performing soon allowed McAloon to emerge from his proverbial shell.

He excelled in plays, and with forensics competitions (competitive acting and speaking.)

His favorite discipline, impromptu

He’ll be remembered for ‘YEAT’ NATE MCALOON

Some students will look to leave their mark at their respective high schools in different ways — athletics, academics, community service.

For the effervescent Nate McAloon, Marmaton Valley High School can think of “YEAT!” Wait, what?

McAloon, one of the outgoing seniors at Marmaton Valley, explained the unusual beginnings of his brainchild, the Benevolent Protective Order of Yeat.

(Trademark pending) “It started as a joke,” he noted.

About a year ago, McAloon and Colton Sneed were playing volleyball in gym class, and decided to spice up the proceedings.

With each volley, the duo would belt out “YEAT!” “Our teacher was confused,” McAloon recalled. “He thought it might have been a

Christina Mynatt 24

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speaking, involves developing a speech on a specific person or topic within five minutes — but doing so without being able to look up facts about the topic through outside sources.

“Really, it’s a lot of bluffing,” he noted.

The wildcard, of course, is whether the judges know the subject matter, he said.

“I’ve found there are two types of impromptu speaking judges,” McAloon explained. “They either are really

knowledgeable about it, or they don’t know anything.”

McAloon qualified for state in impromptu speaking, as well as in serious solo acting and informative speaking.

The abbreviated school year due to COVID-19 brought mixed feelings.

“It was upsetting to not finish the school year,” he said. “I was excited for prom.

us, a lot we weren’t able to get done.”

Even so, McAloon said he’s been able to cope with the change in plans.

I’m more of an inside kid, anyway,” he joked. “I have it pretty good.”

McAloon will attend Allen Community College, then the University of Kansas, to study either computer science or computer engineering.

There were still a lot of competitions for

Bottini the builder ANTHONY BOTTINI

Marmaton Valley High senior Anthony

the second semester, Bottini’s focus was

Bottini found his niche as a freshman in

getting used to understanding blueprints,

Samuel Jackson’s woodshop class. But

which would come in handy at the state

perhaps his love for construction goes

competition down the road.

way back.

All the way to when he was a toddler and built LEGO villages.

“We went through them like crazy,” Bottini said of the colorful plastic blocks.

Bottini credits Mr. Jackson for encouraging his passion.

“He helped me a lot. Before I took any

“Cabinetmaking is what I went for, and you have four hours to do the whole thing,” Bottini said. “They give you the wood, the blueprint, and then you have to write a cut list which basically says how many pieces of what part you need, along with the size of the piece.”

In many cases, students struggle to

of his classes, I didn’t know anything,”

formulate their ideas for their project, which

Bottoni said. “I liked to think I knew

leaves little time to put the piece together.

something, but I really didn’t.”

Bottini says his cutlist at state

When Bottini was a sophomore, his

competition was correct, and that he was

personal project in class was hindered

one of the first done with that portion of

by a fire that burned down the school’s

the project. Unfortunately, his excitement

press box. Bottini and his classmates spent

got the better part of him and he then cut

the majority of the 2017-18 school year

the wrong piece of wood as a certain part

building a new press box — a memory

of the project.

that ranks among the top.

Thinking of a plan, Bottini glued two

As a junior, Bottini built a desk his first

scrap pieces of wood together, but it

semester that he gifted to Jackson. During

was too little too late as the time was

Heather Hicks

up, leaving Bottini with an unfinished construction.

This year Bottini was looking forward to a similar challenge, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic he never got the chance.

Bottini also said he was looking forward to participating in track.

“I didn’t do as many sports as I would’ve liked to during high school,” he said. “And now I won’t even get to go to a meet.”

Bottini is headed to Fort Scott Community College next fall.

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25

Allison Heim / Julianna Sprague / Zoi Yoho / Collin Dudley

Food is her passion ALLISON HEIM

Allison Heim has been a real gogetter throughout her entire high school career, becoming successful at just about everything she puts her mind to.

For instance, she was “very active” in Future Farmers of America (FFA), despite not coming from a farming family or having much previous agricultural experience.

She said she’d simply “decided [FFA] would be a fun club to join,” though in a short amount of time, she “grew to love it.”

Being new to farming didn’t hinder her at all, either, as she repeatedly qualified for competitions at the state level.

Heim was on the state-winning dairy foods team, for example, and therefore got to go on to compete at the national level.

While doing so, she said she “really got to bond” with her fellow teammates.

Such contests were also a source of some of her fondest high school memories, such as vying for the World Food Prize.

Indeed, Heim is passionate about food in general, and said, “I like to eat, and I

like to eat a lot of food!”

She’s especially passionate about sushi and Chinese.

And she’s also passionate when it comes to boosting the spirits of her schoolmates, having been a cheerleader all throughout high school.

She said cheering is a “good way to become more positive,” and that it helps you to “always look on the bright side.”

Heim also served as the Kansas Association for Youth (KAYs) president three years, where she most enjoyed the trunk-or-treat style food drive the organization puts on in collaboration with Hope Unlimited.

As for the next stage in life, Heim plans to attend Kansas State University, where her majors will be kinesiology and global food systems leadership.

Her decision to go to K-State was influenced by presenting a research paper there after winning a competition, as well as participating in a “global challenge.”

Along these lines, Heim said she’s looking forward to “finding solutions to

hunger, … not just in America, but all over the world.”

She further added she was inspired to pursue the study of kinesiology after she volunteered at Allen County Regional Hospital and became interested in occupational therapy.

Overall, Heim said she “really enjoyed every aspect of her high school career,” and appreciated how teachers were continuing to check with students during the pandemic.

Regarding words of wisdom for the future, Heim said, “take every opportunity that you can.”

“You never know where life is gonna take you.”

Sprague, whose extracurricular activities require travel for various competitions through rodeo, 4-H and FFA. She plans to attend Fort Scott Community College in the fall on a rodeo scholarship. Her primary rodeo horse, Showtime, is currently pregnant and out of commission for the virtual barrel racing, but Showtime will move to the FSCC campus with her and stay at the college barn.

Sprague grew up on a farm, where her parents raise and sell cattle. Her parents encouraged her to join FFA in high school. She wasn’t sure, but followed

their advice. She’s served as the chapter’s secretary since her junior year.

“I’m naturally a shy person, so FFA really took me out of my comfort zone.

Rodeo takes her on to FSCC JULIANNA SPRAGUE

Virtual barrel racing is not as it sounds.

There’s still a real horse. And barrels. But instead of a crowd, there’s just two people — the rider and the videographer. The judges watch online.

These days Marmaton Valley High School senior Julianna Sprague is competing virtually with her horse, Izzy.

“It’s a pain setting up for it, but it gives me something to do,” Sprague said. “I’m trying to make the best of it.”

Sprague’s typical activities and school work have been moved to home and online due to the pandemic.

It’s especially difficult for someone like

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POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

That was good because it’s gotten me more prepared for college,” she said.

She enjoys the various competitions and community service activities, especially an annual event that brings together FFA students to show elementary school students about life on a farm. She also has enjoyed setting up a community garden.

“I’m very fortunate to have the life I

have, and I want to be able to give that opportunity to other people in some way. A lot of kids don’t get to have the experience of living on a farm. I really loved showing the kids my animals and talking about them,” she said.

FFA organizers have talked about organizing virtual competitions, perhaps

similar to Sprague’s virtual barrel racing. Many FFA contests require close examination of an animal, or tasting dairy products. That could be difficult to arrange, Sprague said.

“Virtual is definitely different. We’re still learning how to do all this,” she said. “It’s going to be frustrating, but it’s better than nothing.”

She’s got the dress ZOI YOHO

Marmaton Valley High School senior Zoi Yoho struggled to find the perfect dress for prom.

She searched online, but couldn’t find anything she liked.

She visited store after store in Kansas City until she finally found it, a silvery blue halter dress with a full skirt and train, bejeweled with a dazzling array of rhinestones and sequins.

She bought the dress a couple of months before prom, eagerly anticipating the night she would wear it. Her boyfriend, Ryan Gettler of Garnett, would accompany Yoho and her friends to dinner before the big event. She planned to arrive at the school in her grandfather’s classic car.

But that moment never came. Prom,

like most big events, was called off because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Parents hope to organize some sort of prom-type event for MVHS students, but it remains to be seen if that can happen.

“I had the dress and everything all lined up,” Yoho said. “I might never get to wear it.”

Adjusting to the early end of the school year has been difficult, she said. Along with prom, she’s also disappointed that her final season of softball ended “and I never even got to play one game.”

Her senior year started on such a positive note, too. She kept busy in the fall with cross country. She’s treasurer of the MVHS FFA club, a member of the KAY Club and president of the Prairie

Rose 4-H Club. When she wasn’t busy with those activities, she spent her time cruising and having fun with her friends.

Yoho plans to attend Neosho County Community College in the fall to study welding.

been flipped, turned upside-down as much as Collin Dudley’s.

The Marmaton Valley senior saw his football season end prematurely — on Senior Night, no less — with a knee injury severe enough that it required surgery and months of rehabilitation to mend a torn anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and meniscus.

The work, he explained, was with the goal to get him on the baseball diamond by spring.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which shuttered campuses across the state.

“It was pretty rough for a while,” he said.

The truncated senior year also meant Dudley lost out on another possible highlight, the state Skills USA convention, in which students compete in a variety of industrial arts, construction and welding projects.

“I was really looking forward to the competition,” he said.

Most of Dudley’s shop work up until the time the campus closed was in preparation for the SkillsUSA event.

Skills USA also ties into Dudley’s dreams to become a professional welder.

Baseball dream snuffed COLLIN DUDLEY

With apologies to Will Smith’s “Fresh Prince” character, there haven’t been many high-schoolers whose years have

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

27

He will enroll in the fall at the Missouri Welding Institute in Nevada before embarking on a career doing welding at nuclear power plants. (His father, Darrell, works at Wolf Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Burlington.)

Why the passion for welding?

Dudley likens it to his exacting nature, to always strive to improve. “I don’t want to settle for ‘good enough,’” he explained.

“You’ll never have a perfect weld,” he

said. “You can always get better at it.”

As an aside, Dudley eschewed opportunities to study at the Regional Rural Technology Center in LaHarpe for the opportunity to continue his schooling at Marmaton Valley High, under industrial arts instructor Sam Jackson.

“He’s a great teacher,” Dudley said. “I’ve learned a lot from him.”

On top of losing out of roaming the

halls at Marmaton Valley one last time, Dudley also is having to do without another of his passions: bull riding.

“The coronavirus has pretty much shut down all of the rodeos,” he noted.

If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the idle rodeo season will allow Dudley to continue his recovery.

He works full time on the evening shift at Gates Corporation in Iola.

Make your wishes come true KEN MCWHIRTER - RETIRING SUPERINTENDENT To the graduating seniors of 2020, There is a familiar nursery rhyme that everyone has probably recited at one time or another and will probably say again sometime. The lyrics are: “Star light, star bright, the first star I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.”

The ancient rhyme was based on the concept that if one would only see a falling star and make a wish; it may come true.

Many of you seniors are probably wishing that your last year and especially the last two months of high school were different. You wish that you could have

participated in sports, school activities, prom, senior trips, graduation and other activities associated with your year.

However, your senior year was cut short by the closing of school buildings due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many wishes and dreams were not fulfilled due to this pandemic.

But all is not lost. A challenge was given to you to continue learning by using virtual learning. You had to develop structure in your day to complete your lessons. You are the first MVHS graduating class as a whole to use technology to complete assignments.

Your learning became more of your

responsibility. Teachers were not as available to guide you. And the best of it all is that you have succeeded.

It has encouraged you to think more independently and to become more resourceful.

You have been given the tools to begin this journey, now you must take the initiative to make your wishes and dreams come true.

Congratulations!

Thank you, Ken McWhirter Superintendent USD 256 - Moran

KIM ENSMINGER - INCOMING SUPERINTENDENT First, let me say how proud I am of the Marmaton Valley class of 2020 and the many accomplishments you have had. You are a unique class that started your lives with the tragic events of 9-11 and now you are ending your high school career with the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has abruptly ended your opportunity for making those final school memories of prom, banquets, activities, and a traditional graduation; but you still are making memories … unique memories for the conclusion of the 2019-2020 school year.

The author Napoleon Hill once wrote,

“The strongest oak tree of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It is the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the winds and rains and scorching sun.”

Class of 2020, you have already had a start in life to be like the oak tree. You all have seen and felt the struggles of the world. You have had to bend and accept the recent storm caused by COVID-19 which has dramatically changed the conclusion of your senior year. Whether you realize it or not, this has only made

you stronger and more prepared to go out into this world and be the leaders we know you can be.

Students, be strong, stand firm, and adjust to the experiences this world has waiting for you. Your parents, faculty, and friends are here to support you and know that the best is yet to come.

Congratulations and best wishes.

Thank you, Kim Ensminger Superintendent USD 256 - Moran

“It has encouraged you to think more independently.”

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IOLA 2020 GRADUATES NOT PICTURED

Noah Ashmore

Casen Barker

Tessa Bain

Taelynn Bonnett

Mayte Breithaupt

Lacey Brown

Mikaila Buck

Rachel Bycroft

Haley Carlin

Eason Cheung

Mary Crites

Nickolas Davis

Melany Dean

Calvin Delich

Torrance DePriest

Tiffany Dokes

Jayce Doolittle

Isabella Duke

Zaviera Evans

Alexandra Fager

Elijah Fawson

Danielle Fees

Nissa Fountain

Kenton Giles

Kayton Godfrey

Christine Helman

River Hess

Mackenzi Hutton

NOT PICTURED

Jillian Keller

Dawson King

Dakota Knowles

Dakota Kogan

Elysia Kunkler

Gabriella Lampe

Maria Landsdown

Jasmine Ledford

Cal Leonard

Kallen Lieurance

Gary Lower

Jordan Maloney

Mark McCullough

Lauren McDermeit

Diamend McFadden

Karson McGraw

Trevelle Means

Theresia Middleton

Alex Morris

Kelsey Morrison

Chara Moss

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

29

Dalton Muntzert

Adryan Nading

Naomi Neal

Mary-Jane Neises

Brody Nemecek

Breanna Northcutt

Sadrie Overall

Carlie Payne

Makayla Perez

Sierra Petty

Michael Price

Andre Quinn

Gabriella Richards

Paige Riley

NOT PICTURED

Alec Sager

Courtland Sager

Andy Smith

Jada Stogsdill

Jillian Stokes

Jordan Swart

Tevan Tavarez

Ella Taylor

Allie Utley

Marisa VanHouden

Alexandria Vega

Pieter Venter

Derek White

Zane Whitney

Braiden Wiggin

Raylea Wilsin

Shane Winner

Bethannie Yarnell

Keian Zimmerman

HUMBOLDT 2020 GRADUATES

Jackson Aikins

Brianna Baker

Taylor Beeman

Veronica Bulk

Isiah Coronado

Logan Dillow

Conor Haviland

Gunner Elder

Joseph Froggatte

Jacob Fudge

Brandi Gonzalez

Cheyenne Harris

Kilea Heslop

Speed Hoepker

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Kylie Hole

Drake Hottenstein

Joshua Hull

Heaven Isaacs

Cooper Jaro

Alayna Johnson

Emma Johnson

Tymber Kaufman

Travis King

Kyle Kobold

William Lassman

Serena Melendez

Titan Michael

Briar Orth

Serandin Prock

Trenton Ray

Kristen Roush

Joshua Smith

Reid Smith

Winter Snyder

Stanley Todd

Nichole Turner

Madison Wilson

Luke Yokum

Michael Young

MORAN 2020 GRADUATES Braden Allison

Anthony Bottini

Alec Cochran

Collin Dudley

Bailey Griffith

Allison Heim

Heather Hicks

Bo Knavel

Nate McAloon

Christina Mynatt

Ty Scharff

Rachel Shaffer

Julianna Sprague

Eric Stahl

Morgan Woods

Zoi Yoho

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE / SPRING 2020

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