Gilpin High School Graduation
Saturday, June 5th
The Gilpin County High School Class of 2010 celebrated their high school graduation with Commencement Exercises on Saturday, June 5, in the Miller-Headrick school auditorium. Balloons of red and black, the Class Colors, floated above the auditorium stage where the graduates would sit.
The opening of Commencement was the Processional of 13 black robed graduates-to-be stately walking to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.” This was followed by Maranda Hudackey confidently singing a solo rendition of the National Anthem. Middle/High School Principal Alexis Donaldson welcomed everyone to the Class of 2010 Commencement Exercises.
Sierra Rhodd introduced teacher Ralph Campbell, who was honored to give the Commencement Address, remarking that what a great opportunity it was for a teacher to have the last word. Campbell commented that he sought collaboration with his peers in composing his speech. He read a small fuchsia-colored sticky note and attributed the written advice of, “No one will probably remember your speech, so try to look intelligent,” to Mr. Gates.
Campbell continued his humorous Address by asking, “Who was the idiot who developed the English language?” He proceeded to provide entertaining cases in point demonstrating the idiosyncratic structure of English. “Why is it when you transport something by car it’s called a shipment and when you transport something by ship, it’s called cargo?” And “Why do cars drive on parkways and park in driveways?” The audience loved his examples, laughing and applauding.
Campbell spoke about his research for a topic that everyone could relate to and he came to music: a powerful force that creates a memory in us by the force of association. Music tells the story of our lives. It has the power to make us recall long-forgotten memories.
One of Campbell’s favorite songs is, “I Will Return,” about how we live our lives and treat others. He wanted the students to remember the “songs” or teaching that school staff had shared with them in preparing them for college and life beyond high school. In planning to have the graduates remember this day by musical association, he played a rendition of the song. Campbell thanked the Class of 2010 for sharing their “songs” with him over the past years.
Principal Donaldson introduced graduate Megan Spellman, who presented the Senior Class Gift of a large flat screen TV to the school. David Yerkman followed with a light-hearted and candid talk about Class Memories. Shauna Corsino was next as the Class Speaker and was sympathetically applauded by the audience during an emotional moment when she couldn’t continue speaking. Corsino introduced Valedictorian Megan Spellman, who spoke about the future accomplishments of her fellow classmates.
Counselor Kirsten Goodlett presented the Scholarship Announcement based on the awards referred to during the June 1 Senior Awards Celebration. The grand total of scholarship monies earned by 13 graduates totaled approximately $111,000, a truly wonderful accomplishment.
Graduating seniors planning on attending Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, are Bethany Bendrat, Robert Garza and Megan Spellman. Shauna Corsino and Katie Shimanskey plan on attending Colorado Film School located in Denver. Seniors planning on attending Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood are: Maranda Hudackey, Tom Kennedy, Kaylea Morrison, Jara Peterson, Sierra Rhodd, Katie Shimanskey, and William Ward. David Yerkman plans on attending University of Northern Colorado (UNC), Greeley.
Graduating senior Luke Dillinger will be proudly serving his country in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Flower Ceremony was next with the graduates sentimentally presenting orange lilies, the Class Flower, to their family members and friends. The Senior Slide Show by Katie Shimanskey followed with the dimming of auditorium lights.
Principal Donaldson, Superintendent Tina Goar and the Board of Education—Scott Groginsky, Rusty Hardy, Brook Ramsey, Charlotte Taylor, and Craig Holmes–presented diplomas to the members of the Class of 2010: Bethany Bendrat, Shauna Corsino, Luke Dillinger, Bobby Garza, Lee Hudackey, Tom Kennedy, Kaylea Morrison, Jara Peterson, Sierra Rhodd, Katie Shimanskey, Megan Spellman, William Ward, and David Yerkman.
Donaldson announced the Presentation of Graduates and they joyfully flung their cap tassels from right to left before traditionally throwing their caps into the air.
The Recessional was initiated with the Class Song, “Don’t You Forget About Me,” by Simple Minds and completed the Commencement Exercises. Cake and refreshments, courtesy of the Booster Club, were provided in a reception for the graduates. Congratulations to the Gilpin County High School Class of 2010!