Graduation ceremony is Sunday
Holyoke High School seniors will become alumni Sunday, May 14, as they cross the stage at the 2017 graduation ceremony. Graduation will begin at 2 p.m. at the HHS gymnasium, preceded by a baccalaureate service at 1 p.m. in the HHS auditorium, led by local pastors Al Strauss and Merle Powell.
Forty-four are slated to turn their tassels Sunday, welcomed by Holyoke School District Superintendent John McCleary. Principal Susan Ortner will present the class of 2017 to families, friends, staff and community at the ceremony.
Guidance counselor Angela Powell will announce scholarships received and future plans, as school board members Kris Camblin and Dennis Herman present diplomas to the graduates.
Class president Brook Prottsman, as well as the valedictorian and salutatorian, will deliver commencement addresses.
Winners of the citizenship award will be announced by Susan Roll Walters of the American Legion Auxiliary and Larry Stein of American Legion Post 90.
The 2017 class motto is taken from J. Cole’s song “Coming Home.” It reminds students that “to appreciate the sun, you gotta know what rain is.” Graduation colors are burgundy and gold, featured on their class flower, a burgundy rose with gold tips, and the class song is “My Life Be Like” by Grits.
The HHS band will perform “Joy Revisited,” and Select Choir will perform “I Hope You Dance.” Junior class grand marshals will be Dominique Penzing and Anthony Beltran. Ushers are Anna Jelden, Grace Dille, Luke Krogmeier and Arturo Dominguez.
Graduating seniors are Daniela Baeza, Alejandro Becerra, Madison McKeen Beckner, Brian Raul Beltran, Tyler Camblin, Edwin Misael Cruz, Monica R. Garza Dominguez, Nilda Ziomara Dominguez Duran, Jacklyn Sara Gerk, Katelyn Rose Gerk, America Gonzalez, Austin Matthew Herman, Karla Victoria Hermosillo.
Oscar Armando Hernandez, Megan Renae Humphreys, Brenden Kage, Gunnar Riley Kroeger, Emily Rose Krogmeier, Tara LeeAnn Krueger, Dylon Duane Lousberg, Erick Fernando Maradiaga, Eddie Marroquin, Kayla Rae Marshall, Brendan Garrett Mayden, Wyatt Wayne McCallum, Sylvia Jayne McCleary, Norman Mendoza, Juan J. Moreno.
Karen Daniela Nuñez, Ximena Olivas Arvizu, Logan Amber Osborne, Juana Evelyn Penzing, Morgan Kathleen Ralston Philips, Whitney Lois Powell, Jose Manuel Figueroa Prieto, Brook Layne Prottsman, Mark Anthony Ramos, Hunter Razo, Kaitlyn Ignacia Diane Shafer, Alex Strauss, Tristan Scott Sullivan, Lauren Kay Sumners, Michael Taylor and Matthew Elliot Winterrowd Jr.