By James B. Bartle
Sullivan High School Class of 2010 Commencement Exercises were held on Friday evening at the SHS athletic field with 162 seniors receiving their diplomas and receiving some $1,119,776 in scholarships and A-plus funding.
The Class of 2010 was honored to have members of the SHS Class of 1960 and 1940 in attendance for their commencement exercises.
The event began as graduates entered the stadium with the SHS Band performing Pomp and Circumstance, followed by the National Anthem being performed by SHS Concert Choir.
SHS principal, Dr. Jennifer Schmidt, welcomed everyone to the program and recognized those in the audience who served in the Armed Forces and those students in the Class of 2010 who will be entering the military.
Schmidt recognized Hazel Teeter from the Class of 1940, in attendance, who also had a son at the ceremony who graduated from the SHS Class of 1960 and had two great-granddaughters graduating in the Class of 2010.
Schmidt praised the Class of 2010 for believing in each other and the support they have given each other.
“Expect the best of yourselves,” said Schmidt. “Make the most out of your life and enjoy it.”
Assistant Principal Chad Lynn requested all students in the honors program to stand before the crowd in attendance.
Assistant Principal Jason Harbour then presented the top ten students, which were from bottom to top: Chris Frye, Brittany Whipple, Teddi Reed, Olivia Radle, Vance Halfaker, David Bruns, Savannah Lore, Kelcey Bylo, Chelsea Strauser and Jessica Landwehr.
Mike Stephens, A-plus coordinator, announced that 88 graduates in the Class of 2010 qualified for A-plus tuition funding to a community college or vocational college. These students earned some $343,552 in funding and completed 8,132 hours of tutoring younger students. Stephens stated that, in the 10 years SHS has been an A-plus school, some 972 students have qualified for A-plus tuition and received some $3.4 million in funding.
SHS Class of 2010 secretary, Amanda Payne, honored the Class of 1960 from the stage, giving those in attendance a review of the 1960s, complete with historic achievements and colorful descriptions of music and entertainment in this era.
For the first time in recent memory, the Valedictorian Jessica Landwehr and Salutatorian Chelsea Strauser presented their comments to the graduating class together on the stage.
Landwehr began the speech by thanking the school board, administration and staff for their guidance and her parents for their support through high school.
She stated that there was only 5,000th of a point difference between her and Strauser for Valedictorian and, since Strauser has been her closest friend through her years in school, she felt that they should give their speeches together.
“Tackle your obstacles and remember Sullivan will always be your home,” said Strauser to her fellow graduates.
“It’s time to leave this comfortable nest and soar to new heights,” said Landwehr.
The SHS Concert Choir then performed “For Good,” and then turned the stage over to Class President Jennica Peebles.
Peebles also praised the school board, administration and faculty for their support and education while in the school district. She also praised her family for their support as well.
In speaking to her fellow classmates, Peebles stated, “Never forget where you came from and remember the things we did at SHS. We came together at SHS from separate schools. Some of us were Pirates, Saints, Leopards, and we all came together here at Freshman Orientation.”
Peebles went on to say, “The sky is your limit, reach for your goals and pray to God for help.”
The SHS Band once again took the stage and performed “Acclamations,” which was then followed by Dr. Schmidt presenting the Class of 2010.
Mrs. Marsha Tierney, school board president, and Dr. Mickie Shank, superintendent, then presented diplomas to the Class of 2010.
Tierney told the graduates as they walked across to obtain their diplomas, “Think every day about every challenge, every triumph, every defeat, and think of your time at SHS and your diplomas as a feather in your wings of wisdom that will let you fly where only Eagles dare.”
The Class of 2010 received the following scholarships:
Alicia Key Scholarship received by Chelsea Strauser for $500; Bright Flight Scholarship received by Vance Halfaker for $10,000; Class of 1949 received by Andrea Szyhowski for $500; Class of 1954 received by Kyle Roehrs for $500.
Eagle Boosters received by Chris Frye for $500; Eagle Boosters received by Chelsea Strauser for $500; Encore received by Mary Beth Harms for $1,000; FOE of Sullivan received by Amanda Payne for $250.
FOE of Sullivan received by Paige Pruitt for $250; FOE of Sullivan received by Mary Ryan for $250; FOE of Sullivan received by Shayla Harmon for $250; Humana Scholarship Foundation received by Chelsea Strauser for $3,000.
Jeff Ruwwe Scholarship received by Steven Schatz for $500; KTUI/George Jones received by Shayla Harmon for $500; Marta Bolte Scholarship received by Chelsea Brown for $400.
Marta Bolte Scholarship received by Bryar Bequette for $400; Marta Bolte Scholarship received by Kelcey Bylo for $400; Marta Bolte Scholarship received by Jessica Landwehr for $400; Marta Bolte Scholarship received by Jennica Peebles for $400.
Marta Bolte Scholarship received by Britney Sartori for $400; National Honor Society received by Mary Ryan for $250; Rotary Scholarship received by Mary Ryan for $500; Rotary Scholarship received by Andrew Burke for $500.
Rotary Scholarship received by Bryar Bequette for $500; Shelter Ins. received by Shaylin Hoffson for $1,500; Shelter Ins. received by Mary Ryan for $1,500; Spring Bluff Educational Foundation received by Jessica Landwehr for $500.
Spring Bluff Educational Foundation received by Chelsea Strauser for $500; Spring Bluff Educational Foundation received by Kelcy Bylo for $500; Strain- Japan Scholarship received by Andrea VanHuss for $500.
Sullivan Business Community received by Cole Schmidt for $2,000; Sullivan Community Choir received by Mary Ryan for $500; Sullivan Community Choir received by Matt Hewkin for $500; Sullivan Community Choir received by Sydney Williams for $500.
Sullivan Teachers Association received by Mary Ryan for $500; and Sullivan Teachers Association received by Ashley Pieper for $500.
Saint Louis University received by James Hawkins for $48,000; ECC received by Amanda Blankenship for $4,000; Quincy University received by Amanda Payne for $36,000; Evangle University received by Andrea VanHuss for $16,000.
University of Memphis received by Ben Cross for $26,000; Missouri State received by Bryar Bequette for $9,000; Maryville University received by Chelsea Strauser for $48,000; Tabor College received by Chelsea Brown for $52,000; Lindenwood received by Chris Frye for $33,600.
SEMO received by David Bruns for $2,954.40; Maryville University received by Hailey Reid for $32,000; Maryville University received by Jaclyn Bailey for $40,000; Maryville University received by Katie Corson for $40,000.
Fontbonne University received by Kelcey Bylo for $42,000; Fontbonne University received by Kyle Roehrs for $16,000; ECC received by Mary Ryan for $4,000; St. Louis Christian College received by Paige Pruitt for $15,000.
Missouri S&T received by Savannah Lore for $22,000; ECC received by Shayla Harmon for $1,600; ECC received by Teddi Reed for $4,000; and Southwest Baptist University received by Vance Halfaker for $66,000.
Scholarships students received, but not attending:
Southeast Missouri State received by James Hawkins for $20,000; Mizzou received by Savanah Lore for $12,800; Northwest received by Katie Corson for $6,000; Northwest received by Amanda Payne for $2,000; Olivette University received by Savanah Lore for $56,000.
Oral Roberts University received by Paige Pruitt for $24,000; University of Central Missouri received by Kelcey Bylo for $8,000; SEMO received by James Hawkins for $2,365.60; University of Missouri-Kansas City received by Jessica Landwehr for $14,000; University of Missouri-Kansas City received by Amanda Ivie for $6,000; and SEMO received by Chris Frye for $2,954.40.