Chester High School graduates 78 seniors at 132nd commencement
A total of 78 Chester teens crossed the bridge toward adulthood May 20, receiving their diplomas from Chester High School during its 132nd commencement at Colbert Memorial Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court.
The official event began with the traditional Processional from the two cafeteria doors, down the stairs and onto the gym floor. The Class of 2018 proceeded down the aisles to the seating area as the State Championship Chester High School Concert Band provided marching music to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance" by Elgar.
District 139 Superintendent Brian Pasero welcomed a large crowd and gave the opening address. He then introduced Co-Salutatorians Brady Kelkhoff and Zachary Zappa, after which they gave the traditional opening speeches to begin the formal portion of the ceremony.
CHS Principal Missy Meyer then recognized several groups of seniors and top students in the junior class of 2019 for academic achievements.
Graduation marshals and ushers were selected from the junior class of 2019. The students who had attained the ten highest academic grade-point averages after their fifth semester at CHS were chosen.
Marshalls were selected from the list of top 4 students. and include Jacob Cushman, Emma Draves, Elizabeth Soellner and Jacob Wingerter. Ushers included the remaining top-6 students: Drake Bollman, Brooke Frazer, Kara Knop, Shea Petrowske, Chloe Shook and Lauren Welge.
The Top 10 highest cumulative grade-point averages from the senior Class of 2018 included Mitchell Colonel, Taylor Dunning, Elizabeth Eubanks, Tayler Howie, Jessica Kattenbraker, Brady Kelkhoff, Allison Kennon, Curtis Meyer, Mason Westerman and Zachary Zappa.
Senior members of the Chester High School Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society included Emily Atchison, Hanna Bert, Lance Bohnert, Mitchel Colonel, Karson Colvis, Mellissa Crosby, Taylor Dunning, Elizabeth Eubanks, Joshua Haberberger, Kaylah Hasemeyer, Ashley Hennrich, Jacob Hoffman, Tayler Howie, Jessica Kattenbraker, Brady Kelkhoff, Allison Kennon, Sydney Korando, Curtis Meyer, Bailey Misuraca, Emma Naeger, Montana Rose, Autumn Rowold, Kayla Simcock, Lawrence Soellner, Alyse Vasquez, Mason Westerman, and Zachary Zappa.
At the conclusion of recognitions, Meyer and Assistant Principal Jeremy Blechle presented the Class of 2018 to the audience and the Chester School District 139 Board of Education, for the formal graduation ceremony.
Board members Dan Colvis and Trent Vasquez presented the diplomas to each of the 78 members of the Class of 2018 as names were announced by Blechle.
At the conclusion of the presentation of diplomas, 2018 Valedictorian Elizabeth Eubanks gave her farewell address on behalf of the Class of 2018.
To cap off the event, the State Champion CHS Swing Choir "Sound Affect," augmented by senior members of the State Champion CHS Concert Choir, performed the song, "This is Me," arranged by Marc Huff. The tune comes from the popular musical, "The Greatest Showman".
Class of 2018 President Karson Colvis brought the graduation ceremony and the school year to an end for the 78 graduates by leading the entire class in the traditional moving of the tassels from right to left to indicate that they have graduated. The entire class then tossed their caps in the air in celebration.
The commencement then came to an official close as did the high school careers of the Class of 2018 as the CHS Concert Band played, "Fanfare & Recessional," by Ployar. as the graduates exited the floor for the last time as Chester High School students.