‘We are ready’

Red Oak seniors were encouraged to embrace change, remember their roots and keep a positive attitude during the 2014 commencement. 

“We are all about to experience massive amounts of change,” Valedictorian Ellen Fellers said. “We are ready. We make our own choices. Remember these high school years but don’t let them hold you back.” 

Fellers and Salutatorian Evan Mellott presented scholar speeches at Sunday’s ceremony in the high school gym. 

Mellott reminded his classmates of all they had learned during their time in Red Oak, emphasizing their values as the most important lesson. 

“As we start our future endeavors, we must remember our roots and give back,” Mellott said. “We must give back to the community… they’ve done so much for us over the years from continually fundraising for our activities to always supporting us.”  

Seniors elected Courtney Billings’ father and Red Oak Mayor Bill Billings as the parent speaker, and he reminded the class of 2014 the importance of a positive attitude. 

From struggling with college at first to eventually finding success, Billings said he learned through his experiences that a positive attitude makes a big difference. 

“You may think others are the reason you don’t get the grades you think you deserve,” he said. “No one hands you success; a positive inner attitude gets you there. Better attitude, better results.” 

The class of 2014 consisted of 93 students. Class officers included: Sabrina Guerra (president), Travis Fournier (vice president), Blake Bergren (secretary) and Christopher Allison (treasurer). 

The class motto was, “We’ve walked so far together, we’re grown so very close — but yesterday became today and we are on the verge of tomorrow, where we must go alone to find the dreams we all dreamed of — together.” 

The graduates were also honored at an award night Tuesday where at least $185,000 was given in local and university scholarships. 

Awards and scholarships include (see redoakexpress.com for pictures): 

—Altrusa Scholarship: Blake Bergren, Evan Mellott, Haley Frink and Paige Fouts;

—American Legion Post 67 Scholarship: Kylie Pendleton;

—Red Oak Band Boosters Scholarship: Ellen Fellers, Lauren Butz and Maggie Bennett; 

—Bank Iowa Spirit of Chandy Scholarship: Dakota Petty;

—Russell and Mary Benda Memorial Scholarship: Paige Vannausdle;

—Dr. Dick Alan Bergren Scholarship: Ellen Fellers, Evan Mellott, Erica Sherman, Courtney Billings, Kylie Pendleton, Austin Streicher, William Griffey and Makelti White;

—Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship: Sabrina Guerra;

—Forrest Bloom Scholarship: Dakota Petty and Lauren Butz;

—Mills-Montgomery County Cattlemen Scholarship: Kylie Pendleton and Dakota Petty;

—American/Iowa Bar Association American Citizenship Award: Sabrina Guerra;

—ROHS Class of 1942 Scholarship: Erica Sherman;

—Bob Crocker Memorial Scholarship: Evan Mellott;

—Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award: Evan Mellott;

—Thomas Randall Draper Memorial: Ellen Fellers;

—Edwards Sisters Foundation Award: Erica Sherman and Lauren Butz;

—John W. Eggert Memorial Scholarship: Bailey Hankins and Paige Fouts;

—Good Samaritan Society of Red Oak: Erica Sherman;

—Governor’s Scholar Recognition Program: Ellen Fellers;

—Red Oak Grand Theatre Scholarship: Blake Bergren;

—Gustafson Family Memorial Scholarship: Dakota Petty;

—Hawkeye 10 Awards: Evan Mellott and Ellen Fellers;

—Help Our Youth Scholarship Heritage Foundation: Paige Fouts and Erica Sherman;

—John F. Hossle/FFA Scholarship: Kylie Pendleton;

—JFSCo Engineering: Evan Mellott;

—Lowell and Blanche Kinnison Scholarship: Angelica Cerda;

—Glenava Klopping Scholarship: Ellen Fellers;

—KMA Sportscasters Scholarship: Sabrina Guerra and Evan Mellott;

—Mr. Laughlin Future Education Scholarship: Paige Vannausdle;

—Red Oak Lions Club Scholarship: Ellen Fellers;

—Montgomery County Memorial Hospital Employee Sponsored Scholarship: Blake Bergren, Courtney Billings, Erica Sherman and Makelti White;

—Montgomery County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Student Scholarship: Makelti White;

—Red Oak Optimist Club’s LaVon Billing’s Scholarship: Sabrina Guerra;

—Warren J. and Virginia Petty Scholarship: Austin Streicher and Courtney Billings;

—Montgomery County Pheasants Forever Scholarship: Erica Sherman;

—Stanley James Plank Memorial Scholarship: Austin Streicher;

—Red Oak Business and Professional Women’s Club Scholarship: Paige Vannausdle and Paige Fouts;

—Ronald Reagan Student Leader Award: Austin Streicher, Evan Mellott, Blake Bergren and Lauren Butz;

—Red Cross Red Cord Honor: Nathan Guffey, Maranda Gowdy, Abbey Pratt, Sabrina Guerra, Blake Bergren and Ellen Fellers, Paige Vannausdle, Felipe Ramirez, Evan Mellott, Haley Frink, Lauren Butz and Maggie Bennett;

—Red Cross Young Minds Change Lives Educational Scholarship: Sabrina Guerra, Lauren Butz and Blake Bergren;

—Reifel-Elwood Educational Foundation: McKenna Mertz;

—Red Oak Education Association Scholarship: Paige Vannausdle, Paige Fouts, Lauren Butz and Ellen Fellers;

—Rotary Club Ray Gustafson Memorial Scholarship: Paige Vannausdle, Lauren Butz and Evan Mellott;

—Smith Family Memorial Scholarship: Sabrina Guerra;

—Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation: Dakota Petty and Kylie Pendleton;

—Speech Award: Ellen Fellers;

—Touchstone Arts Council Scholarship: Lauren Butz;

—American Association of University Women Scholarship: Paige Vannausdle;

—ROHS Vocal Music Scholarship and Award: Maggie Bennett, Lauren Butz and Ellen Fellers;

—Loren Works Scholarship: Lauren Butz;

—Omaha World Herald All-Academic Team Honorable Mention: Evan Mellott and Ellen Fellers;

—Jim Logan Red Oak Express Scholarship: Logan Powers;

—Lynn Sickels Memorial Scholarship SWCC Education Foundation: Hayden Berry;

—Montgomery County FFA Co-op: Haley Woods;

—Jordan Vannausdle “Six Pillars of Character” Scholarship: Nick Black;

—Red Oak FFA Alumni Affiliate Scholarship: Haley Woods; 

—C.G. Aluia K. Lingo Memorial Scholarship: Teesha Hardy;

—Ina C. Murphy Scholarship: Teesha Hardy.

Seniors receiving diplomas included: Christopher Allison, Dylan Anderson, Mary Kate Bailey, Jesse Beckett, Margaret Bennett, Blake Bergren, Jakob Berkey, Hayden Berry, Courtney Billings, Nicholas Black, Tristin Bolinger, Tiffany Briggs, Dakota Bush, Lauren Butz, Angelica Cerda, Ryan Chambers, Paige Clark, Amithist Clemons, Abigail Cook, George Cooper, Triston Davis, Tyler Davis, Phillip Decker, Evan Drake, Natasha Drews, Laryn Edds, Tommy Elwood, Marc Enderes, Ellen Fellers, Alexandra Fink, Travis Fournier, Paige Fouts, Haley Frink, Jazmyne George, Sierra Goehring, Maranda Gowdy, Kaiyla Grammer, William Griffey, Bryan Gross, Sabrina Guerra, Nathan Guffey, Bryant Hale, Bailey Hankins, Teesha Hardy, Chelbie Hunt, Emily Johnson, Macy Kaiser, Keaton Kephart, Nakia Lamb, Charles Lassen, Vanessa Lassrich, Ryan Leininger, Austin LeRette, Derrick Linthicum, Alyson Lowe, Brittney Maynes, Britany McArdle, Kaylee Meek, Evan Mellott, McKenna Mertz, Helen Meyle, Margaux Millet, Sandra Rivera, Caleb Moya, Jordan Nelson, Chase Palmer, Andrew Palmquist, Claudia Parris, Vanessa Pate, Kylie Pendleton, Eddie Perez, Dakota Petty, Logan Powers, Abbey Pratt, Felipe Ramirez, Todd Rensch, Luis Rodriguez, Alexander Ross, Braden Sands, Erica Sherman, Reza Sperling, Austin Streicher, Dylan Taylor, David Terry, Alec Thomas, Jacey Turek, Paige Vannausdle, Grant Vrba, Morgan Walford, Samantha Warren, Austin West, Makelti White, ShiaLynn Wilkening and Haley Woods.