TWELVE YEARS OF GRADUATION. “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…” Wait..wait…wait let’s change it up a little bit. The 2023 Senior Class has just under two weeks until graduation and they are itching to get out. But, although they are ready to begin this next chapter of their lives, most are feeling bittersweet. After all, the core group of students have been here from elementary school to graduation.
“On the first year of graduation my teacher gave to me a field trip to the Manhattan Zoo.” Robert Limon started out his education at Valley Heights and is glad to be back to graduate at the school that raised him. “I remember going on a field trip to the Manhattan Zoo with Mrs. Mathey. She was so fun and made the trip extra special.”
“On the second year of graduation my secretary left me alone.” Robbie Stryker has always been a little trouble maker. He, along with Caden Parker, noticed that Lisa Boeschling, the secretary, was missing. They took it upon themselves to answer all the phone calls and take messages until her inevitable return.
“On the third year of graduation the opportunity arrived to serve my state.” Caden Parker recalls going to Topeka with one student from every upper elementary grade to be a page for the Kansas State Senators.” I loved feeling like I was helping the state by helping the senators. Looking back, I really enjoyed how the senators made me feel so in touch with the state.”
“On the fourth year of graduation my teacher let me stay organized.” Maecyn Gunn is one of the most organized students in this school. As one of the editors of the yearbook, it's her job to keep track of a million different things at one time. Mr. Schreiner on the other hand…well let's just say the two of them are very different. “I would always volunteer to stay in at recess and organize Mr. Schreiner’s classroom because it would drive me nuts.”
“On the fifth year of graduation I chipped my tooth.” Kris Jaimeson has always been a joy to be around and is full of smiles all the time. If you look closely at his beautiful smile, you will notice a slight chip in his tooth. This all occurred in fifth grade when he hit the concrete slab really hard during recess. “Although that sounds like a bad memory, it honestly was one of the best ones I have. I got to go home early for the rest of the day and then was treated like a king at home and even at school the next morning!” Kris remembers.
“On the sixth year of graduation my friends gave me a feeling of safety.” Kendelle Sweet was a new student at Valley Heights starting in sixth grade. “Right away, I knew that I was going to be welcome in this community. I was sitting in the hamburgers at recess by myself and a group of girls came up to me and asked if I wanted to play with them. After I said no I was fine, they proceeded to climb up and chat with me anyways.” Now Kendelle feels honored to be graduating from a school that makes her feel right at home.
“On the seventh year of graduation my classmates helped me distract teachers.” Taya Smith is one studious individual. She always gets her work done on time and is very engaged in the classroom; except for seventh grade Kansas History. “I loved to distract Mr. Broxterman with my Kansas History classmates to get him off topic so we didn’t have to do any homework. Some of the conversations are topics that I will forever remember,” recalls Taya.
“On the eighth year of graduation the prankster acts again.” The infamous Robbie Stryker strikes again. If you ask any of the seniors, they all will recall the time that Robbie ziptied John Haefke’s shoes to his chair without John knowing. When John tried to stand up, the secret was soon let out. The whole class shared a laugh but all in good fun.
“On the ninth year of graduation my classmate gave me a broken bone.” Jacob Sweet truly lives up to his nickname “Sweet”. His football coaches actually get upset with him begging him to get mad. If only his coaches could have seen the locker room shenanigans that the boys get into. “On the first day of Freshman year, John and I got into a little ‘fight’ and he ended up breaking my foot. Safe to say I think he won,” Sweet remarks.
“On the tenth year of graduation my principal got pied in the face.” Corbin L’Ecuyer is always in for a good time filled with a little bit of mischief. His sophomore year, Mr. Kenworthy got pied in the face as an incentive for good grades and good standings in the school. Watching it was sure a spectacle and definitely a memory that Corbin will hold on to.
“On the eleventh year of graduation Mrs. Kramer took me to see dead bodies.” Michelle Sandoval creepily enjoyed going to a cadaver lab at Cloud County Community College. As a future surgeon, this was right up her alley. Hopefully she doesn’t send many of her patients there! “It smelled so bad that I just about passed out. To be honest, I really liked it,” she psychotically stated.
“On the twelfth year of graduation Michelle distracted me.” Jay-Lynn Bauer and Michelle Sandoval took the same Spanish class. Michelle would always bring food to class and share with Jay-Lynn. They would laugh at the tiniest things and then proceed to get in trouble by Mrs. Oatney for not getting their work done. Jay-Lynn says, “It was a lot of fun and a great way to start the day!”
As you can see, these students are very close to each other and have great memories together. Wherever they go and whatever they do, they know that they have a second family behind them cheering them on every step of the way. “On graduation my classmates gave me a second family to love and cherish for years to come.”
Article by Audra Steinfort