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Long Time Coming
The Lawson High School Auditorium, commons area and Performing Arts Center were filled with family and friends of the 2009 LHS graduation class.
Superintendent Craig Barker opened the ceremony by welcoming the crowd to the event and praising this class for their many accomplishments during their years in the Lawson school system.
The LHS Chorus performed "You'll Always Be A Part of Me" and the LHS Band performed " By Loch and Mountain".
Valedictorian Reisha Fregoe, Salutatorian Philip Starostka, and Class President Amanda Beers presented the senior addresses.
Reisha Fregoe
Welcome all to the graduating ceremony of the class of 2009. My name is Reisha Fregoe, class valedictorian.
Today it is an honor to have you all listening to me for a short time.
I wanted to keep this short and sweet since we all have plans afterward so I decided to write a poem. Now keep in mind that I'm going to be a math major, not an English major.
We are the graduating class of 2009.
We made it, we're here, and we're top of the line.
There are many people we owe thanks to
Like the teachers and staff, that whole crew
Also to our families, for their love and support
And to the community, to cut my list short
There will be many things we all will miss
But in our hearts they will always exist
Like being an actor, singer or a cheerleader
Or playing with the band or being a good reader
And Chicken Patty Wednesdays we won't ever forget
Like watching lectures for college classes on the TV set
Then there are Friday Night Football Games and Overtime
And punching in our code in the long lunch line
When really I thought we should have paid cash
But we're graduating so that's in the past
Right now we sit here, sporting our red and white
A picture perfect moment, a wonderful sight
We're all so eager, the adventure has begun
For the race life has us run
We are Lawson Cardinals, ready to take flight
Into the world that is looking so bright
We walked in as students of Lawson High
Now we exit as proud Lawson Alumni
Again I say thank you, to everybody, especially my parents. Thank you for being the best.
Philip Starostka
"A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that "individuality" is the key to success." ~Robert Orben
Hello everyone, it's great to see you all gathered to celebrate the beginning of the end. As the quote states, individuality is key. Personality is what brought us to this, our graduation day. To appreciate that, you also must consider who helped expand your character; family is a big part of my life. First I'd like to thank my parents, and Jessica, and my grandparents and aunts and uncles for all the support they have provided and will continue to supply. Next on my list of appreciation are all of the Lawson teachers and administration. From Ms. Judd to eccentric Ms. Rhodes, all of the teachers I have had ventured to provide their best for every student, whether that student wanted it or not. And while some of the management changes weren't always welcomed by students, we have always had our principal, Mr. Edwards, to be fair and just. Last, and above all, I'd like to thank God, because if it weren't for Him, none of this would be possible.
Now back to personality: For being such a small school in the Midwest, we sure have quite a range of individuals. Most people expect only farmers to come from this area, and with some small rural towns, that misconception is held high. Lawson, however, has never settled for the mundane perception and I'd have to say this class is no different. Now, I'd like to end this speech with two proclamations: first, a quote from Erma Bombeck, which goes something like this: "Graduation day is tough for adults. They go to the ceremony as parents. They come home as contemporaries. After [eighteen] years of child-raising, they are unemployed." The second is a poem from one of the most famous doctors in the world. His name is Theodor Geisel, but it's Doctor Seuss for short, and the poem is as follows:
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy [or girl] who'll decide where to go.
Now go on, and look forward to the future. God bless.
Amanda Beers
Hello. I would like to welcome all of you to Lawson High School and to thank you for coming and joining us at our commencement ceremony.
If life is a road, then graduation is just one of the many mile markers that we'll pass by. It's something to be extremely proud of and to cherish but to realize that it's just a mile marker. The roads of life are patiently waiting in the midst ahead of us, wanting to be built and to create other successes and memories. What direction will we turn? What choices will we choose to make? What career path and lifestyle will we acquire for ourselves?
We are now graduating from high school, which means that we are now in the driver seat, making the decisions that will affect us and the people around us, for the rest of our lives. We are now the adults that will have to make a difference for the world.
But the truth is, we're ready. We have already made a huge difference in our world. We spent four years being the best students and athletes that we could be. Each one of us has our own special accomplishments and after trying to list them all made me realize how ridiculously awesome this group is. Whether you were involved with the arts or were part of a team, you did something that benefited not only you but also this school and this community. We made a difference everyday by doing our best.
It may not seem like a lot at the time but it's something that all of us have learned to do. From signing our names in crayons to signing our names in our graduation caps, we have accomplished so much in thirteen years and today we celebrate all of our past accomplishments. Not only the ones made in our high school career but also the ones made in middle school and elementary as well. We have passed all the tests and done enough worksheets that makes every single one of us worthy of this sheet of paper. This diploma displays 13 years of time, effort and memories.
We spent 13 years of our lives in school to build up and prepare for this moment. To receive this piece o fpaper starting we made a huge accomplishment. We're graduating. So be excited. Be proud of this accomplishment and all of your accomplishments, for that matter, big or small because they made a difference that led you here today.
Sometimes it may not seem like a huge difference, but everyone has something special to bring to this road of success. Each yellow line on the road is a memory and without each one of you, this bright yellow line wouldn't be as colorful and unique as it is. Because no matter how different we may seem we have all been led here today. Your decisions and your successes have led you to graduating from Lawson.
We are on the road that led us to success but the truth is, it is now up to us which path and which road we take to lead us to many more. Whatever you choose to do with your life or whatever your true dreams and passions lie, I hope you are all able to achieve what you are looking for. I know that each day is filled with opportunities and I hope youa re abale to capture some of them and make your dreams come true.
So whether you are going into the military, a job or college, you have the already accomplished something huge for your life and it's just the beginning. We have the rest of our lives to live and as hard as it is to say our good byes, it's not over.
Appreciate all that you have done, every moment, every memory, every opportunity, and everything that we have learned has made us more knowledgeable of our decisions.
Sometimes it is the small things that we overlook as simple and ordinary as they may seem are often the things we take for granted. We all have the potential to be as successful as we want to be. So be the leader you admire and be someone to be admired; believe in your dreams, reach for success and love every moment that will lead you to the next mile marker.
As Robert Frost once said in his poem, "A Road Not Taken" . . . two roads diverged in a wood and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that made all the difference.
Thank you and good luck in all of your successes.
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High School Principal Don Edwards recognized those receiving special award and scholarships,
Robert Ashcraft - Robert receives a Lawson Rotary Scholarship and a Lawson Drug Free Character Education Award. He also receives a a Math and Computer Science Grant , a President's Combined Ability Scholarship, a President's Honorary Scholarship, and a President's Leadership Scholarship all from Truman State University.
Amanda Beers - Amanda receives an Ambassador's Scholarship and a Board of Trustee's Scholarship from Maple Woods Community College. She receives a Red & Black Scholarship from the University of Central Missouri and a Deans' Academic Scholarship from Missouri Western State University. She also receives a Lawson Drug Free Character Education Award.
Sabrina Booth - Sabrina receives a Lawson CTA Scholarship, a Lawson Alumni Scholarship, and a Recognition Scholarship from Missouri State University. Sabrina also receives a Lawson Drug Free Character Education Award.
Jenna Brewer - Jenna receives a Red & Black Scholarship from the University of Central Missouri, a President's Academic Scholarship from Missouri Western State University, and a Northwest MO State University Distinguished Scholar Missouri Achievement Scholarship.
Kelly Brock - Kelly receives a Tower Scholarship and an Alumni Scholarship from Northwest MO State University.
Ethan Deardeuff - Ethan receives a Missouri University Scholarship and an Academic Scholarship both from the University of Missouri. Also, Ethan was chosen by the Varsity Coaches' as Lawson's Outstanding Senior Male Athlete. His name will be placed on a plaque in the High School Commons.
Tim Dines - Tim receives a Lawson MFA Agri Services Foundation Scholarship and a Harry Young Memorial Scholarship from the Area Career Center.
Janet Duley - Janet receives an Excelsior Springs Medical Center Scholarship and she receives her certification as a Nurses' Assistant through the Area Career Center Nursing Program.
Donna Gallman - Donna receives an Academic Scholarship and an A+ Recognition Scholarship both from Park University.
Michael Hanson - Michael receives his CCN1 Certification and his ITE1 Certification from the Area Career Center. He also receives a Superintendent's Leadership Grant from Maple Woods Community College.
Kaitlin Hartman - Kaitlin receives a Distinguished Scholar Missouri Achievement Scholarship, a Distinguished Scholar Award, a Board of Governor's Scholarship, and a Recognition Scholarship all from the University of Missouri - Columbia. Kaitlin also is a member of the University of MO Honors College and receives a Dennis Smithmier Memorial Scholarship.
Ariel Hutcheon - Ariel receives a Presidential Scholarship from William Jewell College.
Aaron Jasa - Aaron receives a MO Department of Higher Education Bright Flight Scholarship, a MO University Curator's Scholar Award, and a G.E. Huggins Undergraduate Scholarship all from the University of Missouri - Columbia. Aaron also is a member of the University of MO Honors College. He receives the John Phillips Sousa Award which is chosen by the students and given to the most outstanding senior band member. And finally, Aaron receives an award for being a member in Missouri's Top 100 graduating seniors Academic Decathlon Competition.
Jake Justice - Jake receives a Presidential Scholarship and an A+ Recognition Scholarship both from Park University. Jake also receives the Lawson Rotary Club Good Citizen Award.
Jasmine Kassanavoid - Jasmine receives a basketball scholarship and a volleyball scholarship both from Park University. Also, Jasmine was chosen by the Varsity Coaches' as Lawson's Outstanding Senior Female Athlete. Her name will be placed on a plaque in the High School Commons.
Joseph Korb - Joe receives a Hundley/Volker Scholarship and an A+ Recognition Scholarship both from Park University. Also, Joseph receives a Lawson Drug Free Character Education Award.
Janna Kujawa - Janna receives a Board of Governor's Scholarship from Missouri State University and a Larry G. Kanning DDS Scholarship. Janna also receives a a Kansas City Star Scholar Athlete award and a KCI Conference Scholar Athlete award.
Ashley Lewis - Ashley receives a Freshman Merit Scholarship from Northwest MO State University.
Ashley Lumley - Ashley receives her certification as a Nurses' Assistant through the Area Career Center Nursing Program. She also receives a savings bond to attend college for her participation in the Mineral Water Bowl Queen Competition.
Ashley Lyon - Ashley receives a Recognition Scholarship, a Circle of Friends Scholarship, a Ray County Community Arts Scholarship, and a Department of Theater Scholarship from Missouri State University.
Kelsey Martin - Kelsey receives a Red & Black Scholarship from the University of Central Missouri and a Distinguished Scholar Missouri Achievement Scholarship from Northwest MO State University.
Cody Matheny - Cody receives a Regent's Academic Scholarship from Missouri Western State University and a Missouri Christian Union Scholarship.
Seth Morrison - Seth receives a MO Science and Technology University Miner Scholarship, a Christian Union Church Scholarship, and the Virgil F. Newman "Athlete With Heart" Memorial Scholarship. He also receives a Lawson Drug Free Character Education Award and was selected as the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen of Lawson High School. Seth also receives an award of Excellence for Exemplary Display of Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity from the Missouri State High School Activities Association.
Cassandra Parsley - Cassie receives a Regent's Academic Scholarship from Missouri Western State University.
Shelby Pettz - Shelby receives from William Jewell College a Jewell Scholarship and a Wm Jewell Track and Field Scholarship. She also receives a Lawson Central Rivers Basketball Club Scholarship, a Lawson Rotary Club Scholarship, and a Chapter LK English Scholarship. Shelby also receives a KCI Conference Scholar Athlete award and an award of Excellence for Exemplary Display of Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity from the Missouri State High School Activities Association.
Braden Priest - Braden receives the Nevin Wayne McNeely Memorial Scholarship.
Brittanie Propes - Brittanie receives a Board of Trustee's Scholarship and a Cheerleader Scholarship both from Park University. Brittanie also receives a Big V Country Mart 2nd place Scholarship, a Regent's Academic Scholarship from Missouri Western State University, and a Tower Scholarship from Northwest MO State University.
Alex Rash - Alex receives a Tower Scholarship and a Cultural Enrichment Scholarship both from Northwest MO State University. Alex also receives a Trustee's Scholarship from Wm Jewell College.
Maggie Reynolds - Maggie receives a Northwest MO State University Freshman Merit Scholarship, a University of Central MO Red and Black Scholarship, and a Kansas State University Honors Scholarship.
Ian Swarts - Ian receives a Northwest MO State University Freshman Merit Scholarship.
Amarette Talbot - Amarette receives a President's Combined Ability Scholarship and a President's Honorary Scholarship both from Truman State University. Amarette also receives an Academic Awards Scholarship from Missouri State University.
Scot Tipton - Scot receives a Trustee's Scholarship and a Football Scholarship both to Wm Jewell College. He also receives a Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship and a KCI Conference Scholar Athlete Award.
Philip Starostka - Philip receives a medallion for being Class Salutatorian. He also receives a Board of Governor's Scholarship from Missouri State University and is a member of the Missouri State University Honors College. Philip also receives a President's Combined Ability Scholarship and an A+ Scholarship both from Truman State University. He also receives a Lawson Rotary Club Scholarship.
Reisha Fregoe - Reisha receives a medallion for being Class Valedictorian. She also receives a Lawson Alumni Scholarship, a Park University Trustee Scholarship, and a President's Academic Scholarship from Missouri Western State University. Reisha also receives the KMZU Radio Academic Achievement Award for Academic Excellence and the Linville Math Award for having the highest GPA in Math.
Senior members of the Lawson National Honor Society include: Steven Aquino, Aaron Jasa, Robert Ashcraft, Jake Justice, Ross Bain, Janna Kujawa, Amanda Beers, Ashley Lewis, Paige Bennett, Ashley Lyon, Clint Blakely, Seth Morrison, Sabrina Booth, Cassie Parsley, Jenna Brewer, Shelby Pettz, Kelly Brock, Braden Priest, Lorri Craven, Alex Rash, Ethan Deardeuff, Maggie Reynolds, Anthony Dii Bon, Cara Simmons, Janet Duley, Philip Starostka, Reisha Fregoe, Amarette Talbot, Kaitlin Hartman, Scot Tipton, and Ariel Hutcheon.
The following graduates were recognized as members of the International Thespian Society. These students have totaled more than 600 hours of time in the theater:
Amanda Beers, Kelsey Martin, Sabrina Booth, Paige Moppin, Janet Duley, Brittanie Propes, Donna Gallman, Kayla Propst, Kaitlin Hartman, Maxwell Ramirez, Ariel Hutcheon, Amarette Talbot, Janna Kujawa, Grant Talley, Ashley Lyon, and Alaina Wilson.
Lori Craven, Janet Duley, and Andrea Derrow were recognized as members of the National Technical Honor Society.
The following students received a 2009 College Prep Certificate. To receive this award, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, score a 21 or above on the ACT, and have taken a rigorous High School Curriculum that has met the requirements of the Award.
Steven Aquino, Janna Kujawa, Robert Ashcraft, Ashley Lewis, Amanda Beers, Ashley Lyon, Clint Blakely, Kelsey Martin, Sabrina Booth, Cody Matheny, Jenna Brewer, Seth Morrison, Kelly Brock, Cassie Parsley, Ethan Deardeuff, Shelby Pettz, Janet Duley, Braden Priest, Reisha Fregoe, Brittanie Propes, Donna Gallman, Alex Rash, Kaitlin Hartman, Cara Simmons, Ariel Hutcheon, Philip Starostka, Aaron Jasa, and Scot Tipton.
Sabrina Booth, Ashley Lyon, Reisha Fregoe, Seth Morrison Donna Gallman, Shelby Pettz, Kaitlin Hartman, Braden Priest, Ariel Hutcheon, Brittanie Propes, Joseph Korb, Philip Starostka, Janna Kujawa, and Amarette Talbot were recognized as members of the Lawson STEP UP mentoring program.
Step Up stands for Students Encouraging, Preparing, and Understanding Peers. A mentor is defined as a knowledgeable and experienced guide, a trusted ally and advocate, and a caring role model. These students helped lead freshmen students to improve their school careers.
The George Washington Carver Award was presented to Robert Ashcraft, Aaron Jasa, Amanda Beers, Janna Kujawa, Jenna Brewer, Cassie Parlsey, Reisha Fregoe, Shelby Pettz, Ariel Hutcheon, and Philip Starostka.
The award is given to student for ranking in the Top 10% of their class. Mr. Carver was a Black Scientist from Missouri who worked hard and fought the odds to become a high achiever.
Lawson High School is designated as an A+ School by the State Board of Education. These 43 students have met the requirements of the A+ program to receive 6 semesters of state-funded tuition and general fees to any Missouri community college or public technical school. To qualify for the A+ Financial Incentive they must have attended an A+ School for at least 3 years, have a 95% attendance record, maintained a 2.5 gpa on a 4.0 scale, performed 50 hours of unpaid tutoring in the school district and have demonstrated good citizenship.
Jake Akers, Janna Kujawa, Steven Aquino, Ashley Lewis, Ross Bain, Ashley Lyon, Amanda Beers, Cody Matheny, Paige Bennet, Paige Moppin, Sabrina Booth, Seth Morrison, Jenna Brewer, Cassie Parsley, Kelly Brock, Shelby Pettz, Cora Brown, Corey Pointer, Melyssa Cheek, Braden Priest, Savanna Corbett, Brittanie Propes, Ethan Deardeuff, Kayla Propst, Anthony DiiBon, Maxwell Ramirez, Janet Duley, Alex Rash, Reisha Fregoe, Brittany Sanborn, Donna Gallman, Lauren Sharp, Ramsey Harrison, Jordan Short, Kaitlin Hartman, Cara Simmons, John Hughes, Alyssa Speiser, Jake Justice, Philip Starostka, Jasmine Kassanavoid, Scot Tipton, and Joseph Korb.
Jim Adams, Craig Huffhines and John Wier, representing the Lawson R-XIV Board of Education, presented diplomas to the graduates.
As the Concert Band, led by Director of Music David Potter, played the final note of the "Fanfare and Recessional", the graduates tossed their caps into the air for their final gesture.
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