An emotional send-off for 17 PHS grads

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

Friday was an emotional day filled with both laughter and tears as 17 seniors, nearly all honor students, received their diplomas in a ceremony conducted at Posen High School. The class and audience heard speeches from the salutatorian and valedictorian with additional remarks from superintendent Dru Milliron, who was so stirred with emotions he had a difficult time finishing his final remarks.

The ceremony opened promptly at 7:30 p.m. with the processional played by pianist Janice Ahlgren and the Rev. Stan Bereda?s invocation. The first speaker of the day was salutatorian Sarah Styma, who thanked members of the faculty, parents of the graduates and people of the Posen community. ?ALTHOUGH WE rarely express it, we truly do appreciate everything you have done for us,? said Styma. ?Even the small things, such as providing us with scholarship opportunities and attending our sporting events, have given us more support than you can know.?

She also spoke to her classmates. ?The diploma you will receive today symbolizes all of the hard work you have done. After all of the years and all we?ve been through together, we?ve shared countless memories here at Posen and I hope you will never forget them.? Valedictorian Lindsey Bartz followed her to the podium, ?We made it. We?ve finally cured that senioritis that started in September.?

Bartz expressed thanks to the teachers, administrators, parents and, finally, her class, ?for all the great years we?ve spent together. We?ve made countless good memories, including the time when we stole the remote in Mr. C?s room and the substitute couldn?t figure out how the TV kept turning on and off?I honestly cannot think of a better group of people to have spent the time with, and for that, I thank you.?

Bartz also likened life to a race. ?You train for a race just like you go to school to prepare yourself for life. Everybody starts off bursting with excitement, but eventually they calm down and fall into their own pace?some set goals and always strive to do their best, while others simply go with the flow.? She added, ?We?ve all trained so hard for our future, and after knowing you all for 13 years, I?m confident in everyone?s abilities.?

LEANNE BUCZKOWSKI presented a video slide show, with photographs from when the students were in elementary to the senior trip from a few months ago. Following speeches, including Ken Wozniak?s final address as school board president, proud class advisor Greg Pietsch called ea

ch senior to the stage to receive their diploma. In Milliron?s concluding remarks, he praised the group for excelling not only academically, but in athletics as well. He said it?s the first class to meet the state?s new curriculum requirements.

?Higher standards, more rigor, harder classes,? said Milliron. ?They took it and blew it out of the water.? He also said, the Class of 2011 was the last class he taught before becoming superintendent. At this point, fighting back emotions, he stopped reading for a few moments, before finishing. ?Even at that time I knew that this class would be high achievers.?

Class colors were silver and red, the class flower was gerber daisy and the class song was Journeys? ?Don?t Stop Believing.? Class officers included: Tracy Mulka, president; Buczkowski, vice president; Lindsay Ponik, secretary; Bartz, treasurer; Shane Hentkowski, Travis Hirschman, LeAnn Strzelecki and Styma, student council representatives.