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MEDALISTS:

• National Poppy Day Friday

Support disabled and hospitalized veterans by donating to the American Legion Auxiliary this weekend at Fareway and Hy-Vee grocery stores.

Clarke hurdlers shine at Co-ed State Track Meet

Events

• Memorial Day 2017

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Pay tribute to those who died while serving in the U.S. Military 11 a.m. Monday, May 29, at Maple Hill Cemetery.

www.osceolaiowa.com

158 YEARS • NO. 21

Public invited to ice cream social in Reynolds’ honor By HILARY FERRAND

OST news editor hferrand@osceolaiowa.com

One of the first stops on newly appointed Gov. Kim Reynolds’ agenda will be in Osceola. An ice cream social is being held in her honor 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Clarke County 4-H Fairgrounds Event Center. The public is invited to attend for a fun, free night of celebration alongside Iowa’s first female governor. “It’s humbling and such an honor to be a part of history as it unfolds,” said Reynolds in an interview Tuesday. “We’ve made so much progress in the last few years.” She doesn’t attribute her own success, or that of any of the women currently serving in Iowa politics to gender, however. “I think you have to take a step back,” she said. “Iowans tend to re-elect their incumbants.” Men have traditionally been in office, so it made sense they would stay there in a state where voters maintain loyal ties to the candidates they’ve supported in the past — in many cases, for good reason. “I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish,” said Reynolds. “Unemployment is the lowest it’s been in 16 years. We’ve created an environment where businesses can hire Iowans and they can have a great career.” What up’s next for Iowa’s newly appointed governor? “We’re going to embrace the past but do everything we can to have a brighter future,” said Reynolds, though from the sounds of things, comprehensive tax reform is top of her list — just after a smooth a transition into office. “I think no one has ever been as well-prepared to be governor as Kim Reynolds,” former Gov. Terry Branstad said Tuesday during a press conference. “She’s proven to me that she’s ready to do the job and do it well.” One of her first stops as governor will be right here. Everyone is invited to come out and help Reynolds celebrate — but that’s not all, she said. There’s also a very important message she needs to deliver directly. “I want to say thank you to all the people of Clarke County for giving me a chance, and for giving me a second chance when I needed one the most,” said Reynolds. “I can’t wait to come down there and tell everyone that in person.” SINGLE SINGLECOPY COPYPRICE: PRICE:$1.00 75¢

OSCEOLA, IOWA 50213

THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017

SINGLE COPY PRICE: $1.00

Clarke Class of 2017 By HILARY FERRAND OST news editor hferrand@osceolaiowa.com

Sunday, May 20, the Clarke Class of 2017 said goodbye to their childhood memories and welcomed in a world of new possibilities. The graduates totaled 75 students, 22 of them members of the National Honor Society. The class had the highest collective grade point average since before Principal Shane Stephens came to Clarke. “The difference between the number one student OST photos by HILARY FERRAND in the class and the numOnward and upward: Clarke School Board President ber seven student was two one-hundredths of a Dena White presents 2017 graduates with their diplomas. point,” said Stephens. “It was very competitive.” He offered the graduates five quotes with which to inspire their journeys. It was an eclectic mix, pulled from the likes of Aldous Huxley, Johnny Cash and Jesus. As different as the sources might be from one another, the words carried

the happy way.” Student Class President Jonathan Echeveste offered his classmates both caution and comfort. “Do not fall to mediocrity,” said Echeveste, ending his speech off with a poem that spoke both to modern times and the comeraderie of being classmates. “No matter what you do, no matter where you go, just follow me on Twitter, and you’ll always feel at home.” Nathan Bair put the perfect finishing touch on the ceremony during closing remarks. “It’s been a very, very long road to get here... we have to make sure we never forget it,” said Bair, then prompting his fellow seniors to point at — and shout out — to members of the audience who’d helped them all along the way. As the 2017 graduates forge ahead, Clarke County Publishing looks forward to reporting on all of your current and future goods news!

a familiar theme: the future is what you make it. Preserverance was a common thread among speakers, from Superintendent Steve Seid’s comments on class accomplishments to of the words of the Valedictorian. Reed Morris looked back all the way to kindergarten, a time when he was so afraid to make a mistake he refused to do any work. “I’m sure my parents are still amazed at how a little kid who’d never write one letter would eventually become Valedictorian of his graduating class,” he said, before encouraging his classmates to go forward prepared for risk. “Taking a chance can be beneficial.” The ceremony was short — and sweet. Class leaders kept things upbeat. “We have a choice about how to tell our stories,” said Senior Class Secretary Alexis Carson after snapping a selfie. “This afternoon, I’m going to choose

Blue rose: Valedictorian Reed Morris gives a class flower, a blue rose, in honor of those who helped graduates achieve an almost unattainable dream, to his cousin Gwyn Elsamiller.

Time to party: Nathan Bair watches confetti and silly string rain down on the graduating

Class of 2017.

Salutatorian: Briceida Sandoval-Muñoz makes her way to the stage.

5/21/2017

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