Whigham, McCarthy top Viking class

STANTON — Twenty-five young men and women graduated from Stanton Community High School Saturday. Many of them completed all, or most of their 13 years of education as classmates.

Retired music teacher John Schultz and freshman Kara Allen played the “Pomp and Circumstance” duet as the seniors marched in and as the new graduates exited to be congratulated by family and friends.

Carrie Nimrod, the youth pastor at Mamrelund Lutheran Church, welcomed the seniors and their guests before Principal Dennis McClain acknowledged some of the honors earned by both Valedictorian Alex Whigham and Salutatorian Zach McCarthy. Among their many scholarships and awards was the President’s Award for Educational Excellence and the Omaha World-Herald 2010 All-Academic Award.

Salutatorian McCarthy recited the class motto from Vince Lombardi, “Leaders are made. They are not born: and they are made just like anything else that has ever been made in this country: by achieving that goal, or any goal.”

He said he did not see himself as a leader, but an elementary student who needed some help impressed his role upon him. The child spotted the footballs sewed on his jacket and asked if he played football.

“He looked at me like I had water shooting out of my ears,” McCarthy said, “He thought it was so cool I played football.”

That event helped him realize people were looking at him, and reminded his classmates others would consider them leaders.

The high school choir, directed by Lisa Tackett and accompanied by Louise Hart, sang “For the Beauty of the Earth”, followed by “Breakaway”, featuring the seniors who were choral members.

Valedictorian Whigham was especially grateful to his parents for the examples they set as they raised their four sons, and to his brothers for helping him understand how to be an athlete and excel academically, while stressing personal integrity and faith. He cited King Solomon, acknowledged as the smartest person on earth but whom, he cautioned classmates, became distracted in his successes, setting aside character and values that really matter.

Speaking of the Class of 2010, Superintendent Judd Ashley told the school board the class had met or exceeded the requirements for graduation. Before coming forward to receive their diplomas, he gave them a variety of thoughtful advice. He told them to say what they mean, unselfishly do their best for the country, lead by example, be honest, have character, to persevere under difficulty, to make wise choices, and to become a person others trust by developing and earning that trust by keeping one’s word. He encouraged them to follow their dream but to make wise choices. He told them the best pay would come when they do something for nothing.

Board President Jeff Magnuson presented the class with their diplomas as each walked across the stage, gathered a rose from their class sponsors, Don Hicks and Jake Nimrod, and presented their loved ones with roses and warm hugs.

Following the slide show of memories of each graduate and closing prayer, the classmates were ushered to their outdoor receiving line by Junior Class Marshalls Kadie Subbert and Bryton Thoren.

On the previous Sunday, nearly all of the senior class were present for a baccalaureate service at Mamrelund Lutheran Church in Stanton, where they were encouraged by Pastor Paul Warder to carefully arrange their lives so they make room for the most important things. There, as has been the tradition for numerous years, the seniors grasped the church’s cross standard as Pastor Eric Kutzli prayed for them and they marched out as the community sang, “Life High the Cross”.

Those graduating as the Class of 2010 were Cole Bumsted, Lauren Burke, Daize Coddington, Kayla Dittmer, Dilan Druivenga, Casey Elwood, Taylor Fiscus, Matthew Hanson, Chelsea Hebb, Shandel Holmes, Seth Johnson, Ashley A. Kier, Dalton Larson, Alexandra Marcel, Zachary McCarthy, Jamie McDaniel, David Meier, Matthew Osher, Edward (Lucas) Oster, Braden Quist, Jordan Sorensen, Tanner Stubbendeck, Heather Swanson, Alex Whigham and Jordan Williams.