Grads bid farewell
Grads bid farewell to Sheldon High
Watseka Daily Journal — May 27, 2003 Updated Oct 14, 2013
The 29 graduates of Sheldon High School — the last class for the 153 year old school — were fittingly launched Saturday in ceremonies that was tearful and joyful by turns.
It was a highly emotional moment when the students marched out of the gymnasium the final commencement program at the school. They chose the Whitesnake song “Here I Go Again” as their recessional theme and their motto was “We saved the best ’till last.”
Sheldon will merge with Milford next year to form a new district and the Sheldon Rams will be no more. The building will be used for elementary students at least initially.
Retired teacher Ken Hrodey, who taught 33 years, gave the commencement address. He praised the class for excelling in academics, athletics and social skills. He said the class produced three Illinois State scholars and had some very stiff competition.
“This class has so much all around athletic ability if we had gymnastics, swimming, track and field one or more would have excelled… And socially when it counts these people are ladies and gentleman,” he said.
He said he knows that because he and his wife accompanied the class to Florida for their class trip. Hrodey worked as a teacher’s aide for Sheldon’s final year.
“They asked five adults to take them to Florida on their class trip. Nowadays that’s pretty scary. Most high schools don’t even allow a class trip any more. But we brought them back in one piece,” he said.
Superintendent Ray Lauk said the graduates are entering a new and exciting period in their lives just as the old school building is doing the same in the merger.
“As graduates of Sheldon High School you are special. However you are special not because of the coincidence of being the last Sheldon graduating class but rather because of your talents, gifts, skills and values, dignity and confidence and knowledge, compassion and commitment to making this a better world,” Lauk said.
The crowd also heard from valedictorians Matthew Watts and Ryan Nagele and salutatorian Katie Smith. They were treated to a humorous class prophecy by graduate Joe Molter. Molter, who has a bouffant hair style, spoofed himself by saying he arrived at the reunion but couldn’t get in the door because of his huge “Joe Fro.”
Watts was among the students who had great praise for the teachers. He said they are the reason he is planning to become a teacher. Many of the students had perfect attendance which also was credited to the teachers.
Watts will study history at the University of Illinois. Nagele is planning to go into the medical field beginning his studies at Illinois State University.
All but six of the students are continuing their education. One, Bryan Brown, is going into the military as a satellite communications specialist. Scott Williamson, Brittany Heppe and Bill Kusman are studying accounting.
Their principal Lorrie Simington was a gracious hostess throughout the two hour event. She thanked the families and staff as well as the students and gave them some advice.
“If you think you can’t you probably won’t. Go after your dreams and don’t settle for anything less,” she said.
Diane Houmes, who helped present many of the awards and scholarships, said she had promised herself she wouldn’t cry but she did break down at the podium. She said the class had a lot of leadership type personalities. For instance, there were 18 student council members among the 29.