Graduation marks beginning of new journey
By DONNA BERNHARDT
General Manager
A whirlwind week of finals, farewells, parties, and practices culminated Sunday for 63 Marion High School seniors when they stepped across the stage to accept their diplomas.
The class of 2003 recognized four valedictorians, Kayla Barrett, Brian Bina, Matt Rhodes, and Heidi Zogelman. Megan O'Dell was salutatorian.
Heidi Zogelman and Rhodes were named outstanding senior.
Heidi Zogelman told classmates to remember the everlasting relationships they had made in their school years and to thank the people who helped them along the way.
She said, "all of us have the capacity to succeed if we believe in ourselves."
She counted cooperation, determination, and hard work as necessary ingredients for success five years down the road.
Brian Bina said he was told to go to college to get a degree, but return with an education.
"It's an honor to have received an education from Marion High School," he added.
Bina added the classmates of 2003 had experienced many things in their years together. They had seen the best and worst, the good and bad, and were a tightly-knit clan because of that.
He said they now will travel in different directions, "some taking familiar paths, some taking the road less traveled.
"Only the beginning is the same, the rest of the journey will be unique," he added. "I'm proud to say we've done something."
Honor students recognized were Kayla Barrett, Brian Bina, Carla Carlson, James Davis, Mitchell Enos, Megan Helmstead, Shawna Hett, Tomi McLinden, Ashlee Moore, Megan Moore, Megan O'Dell, Matthew Rhodes, Amanda Steiner, Joel Versch, Alan Vogel, Heidi Zogelman, and Krista Zogelman.
Diplomas were presented by USD #408 board of education president Rex Savage.
Following the presentation of diplomas, a Powerpoint presentation, designed by Michael Yates, was shown.
While the audience focused on the presentation, seniors surreptitiously checked to make sure diplomas were signed in the appropriate places. Then they relaxed.
As principal Ken Arnhold presented the newest alumni of Marion High School, giant streamers of Silly String filled the air. Amid the applause and well-wishes, graduates exited the gymnasium to gather in front of the building for greetings, hugs, handshakes, and photos.
Baccalaureate
Marion High School Baccalaureate was held Saturday evening at Eastmoor United Methodist Church.
Father Steve Gronert of Holy Family Parish reminded seniors that God had brought them to this moment in their lives.
Gronert encouraged them to believe in themselves, but to remember to believe in God.
"It's a big turning point. Make the best of the opportunities of today. God's blessings on those graduating tomorrow," he ended.
Heidi Zogelman shared her advice, "Create your own opportunities. Be courageous. Don't be timid." It's important to seize opportunity." She ended with a quote from Robert Frost, "It goes on."
Brian Bina reminded classmates to thank the people who helped along the way
He related a story from "Chicken Soup for the Soul," — "What is sex?" about a young girl asking her mother that question in a crowded room. The moral of the story is
