LINN — Linn High School Secretary Susan Patterson, who could not attend Sunday’s graduation ceremony, provided words of encouragement and praise for the Class of 2021 as read by Superintendent Dena Smith.
“This is one of my favorite classes and I am honored to have been asked to speak on their behalf,” Patterson noted. “I have watched the majority of them grow from ornery middle schoolers to fine young high-schoolers. Some have been here forever, some came as freshmen, some were here at one time, left and returned and others have been here just for their senior year. Whatever the case I have grown to love every one of them. They are a kind and loving class and have shown me respect since day one. I have been their school mom, therapist, referee, banker and whatever was needed of me.
“I call them my wandering class,” she continued. “So many times someone would be looking for them because they were out wandering around, never where they were supposed to be. Most times they would wander in the office when I was busy – they would try and push my buttons, these little darlings. I could sometimes get their attention pretty quick by picking up the phone and threatening to call Sally or Debra or Laurie.
“I do love them though, and all their wonderful characteristics,” Patterson wrote. “Take Brad Arlen for instance. Lovable is my word for him. Who doesn’t love that guy? Claire Helmig is so energetic and loves to talk, unlike Paigelyn Porter who is sweet but so quiet. Lauren Williams is helpful. Dalton Kroeger and Joey Jewell are hard workers. Justin Brown is very inquisitive and always smiling like he’s up to something. Ashley Woods, Rachel Latimer, and Karlie Ray are three of the sweetest girls here and are animal lovers like me. Ben Steinbeck needs to stop worrying so much but I am glad he has time to make up good nicknames for me.
“My three favorite non-morning students are Shaylyn Jones, Matthew Nenninger, and Avery Cordonnier,” she continued. “Sometimes you need just a little extra sleep, or maybe help catch loose horses – either way, I’m glad they did show up. Drew Strope is sweet and funny just like his mama. Abby Klebba is kind and gracious. Lucas Strong is cool – like secret agent cool. Justine Tyree is a whirlwind and I have missed her so much since she finished early – like Lanie Branson, another smart cookie.
“Josh Schlottke is soulful and Mike Niekamp is a great guy who flew under my radar, unlike his sisters,” Patterson wrote. “Brook Scheulen and Riley Senevey come across as sweet, cute, and quiet but I think they may be a lot different away from school. Ashley Ruettgers is always thinking of others while Caden Robinson is always thinking of reasons to let him out of school. He is a great storyteller as well. Kohl Steinbeck is hilarious and I will miss our lunchtime talks of heavy equipment and designing the ultimate shouse.
“Connor Berry is just done – no other word but done,” she continued. “See you made it? It wasn’t so bad, was it? Lauren Steinman is very clever and witty. Abby Boswell is someone I can always count on and Owen Robinson is one of my absolute favorites and everybody’s friend. Alek Peters is super talented but modest just like Chloe Rhoden. Dorian Hill and Amber Hueste are generally calm but get them started and they will definitely speak their minds. Barbara Mueller is sweet and someone I will never forget – I am proud of you Barbara.
Tommy Blackburn is extremely thoughtful and Jessica Keilholz is perfectly genuine, through and through.
“Elyse Klouzek is always willing to help me whenever I need her,” Patterson continued. “Lindsey Brandt is sweet like her sister and a brilliant ballplayer. Vince Ribaudo is smart and has a great laugh. Aubri Atwell is so sweet and maybe a little bit forgetful. Liz Brandt is as beautiful inside as she is outside.
Renee Jacquin is usually quiet but if you get her going she can be a firecracker. Gavin Grellner is all class and a perfect gentleman. Grace Brandt is an angel and Elana Dodson is America’s sweetheart. I’ve missed our virtual kids, Garrett Shoultz and Tyler Grellner – I’m glad you are here with us today.
“Claudia Brandt is sassy and sweet and I can always count on Austin McKim having a smile for me – whatever the time of day,” she added. “Jakob Gleason is so kind and I feel like I have known Claire Baker forever. She always makes me smile. Hayden Phillips … Hayden, Hayden, Hayden. So many words to describe Hayden. Hayden can always make me laugh and is a true friend to others and I hope it will always be that way. Kaleb Brandt is fearless and Hayli Brieg is determined and it paid off. I am proud of you Hayli.
“Andy Hueste is someone I wish I had gotten to know better,” she went on. “He is really funny! Mason Wolfe is extremely talented. Austin DeCramer and Caleb Kixmiller are smart guys that always seem to have it together. Griffen Honey is another sweet girl who is ready for a new chapter and Garrett Hampton is so emotional but very charming. Caleb Maassen is totally awesome.
“And then there is Grace Mantle,” Patterson wrote. “She is relentless. She has made me have to color my hair a lot more than I should but I love her and wouldn’t have it any other way.”
In closing, Patterson told parents and grandparents they have done such a great job raising these kids. “My life is so much better having known each one of them,” Patterson said.
Smith congratulated the Class of 2021 and encouraged them to embrace life.
“You have already achieved so many things and you’re just beginning your life’s journey,” she said. “You only have one life; you’re not going to live forever so live while you’re alive. Make the most of all the moments you are given, appreciate the life you’ve been given, and appreciate every day, even during the tough times.”
Smith added that every difficulty and tough time will teach a lesson. “You will come out the other end better and stronger than when you started,” she said. “Appreciate life every single day because it is a gift we have all been given. I want you to always cherish that gift. Do the right thing, even when it’s not the most popular thing. Go after your dreams. Set goals, and always strive to achieve those goals. You won’t always achieve every goal that you set but if you never set a goal, how will you know if you get there?”
Linn graduates earned $530,480 in scholarships, not including A+ Program funding or the $97,900 for which Caleb Kixmiller will be eligible in GI Bill funding as he has enlisted in the US Air Force. Of 63 graduates in this class, 46 earned A+ Program funding, with 19 students planning to enter a four-year college, 31 plan to attend a two-year college, and one will enter a technical school. That’s 51 of 63 students — or 81% — who plan to further their education.
“That’s a phenomenal number,” said Smith.
Linn’s top-10 students of the Class of 2021 are co-valedictorian Claire Baker (4.0), co-valedictorian Laney Branson (4.0), salutatorian Lauren Williams (3.994), Grace Brandt (3.988), Elizabeth Brandt (3.971), Jessica Keilholz (3.953), Karlie Ray (3.951), Abby Klebba (3.943), Amber Hueste (3.934), and Vince Ribaudo (3.928).
Co-valedictorian Claire Baker said she is very proud of her classmates. “We have battled two pandemics: COVID-19 and senioritis,” she added. “At times it was a struggle to stay focused and keep our motivation up. Besides problems with school, there are many of us who lost loved ones this year. I speak from personal experience. I lost my travel basketball coach this year and it’s strange not to see his face in the crowd today. The losses that occurred this year are heartbreaking and tough to comprehend at times. The fact we had to go to school and fake normalcy in such a strange time is a testimony to our strength but this is a reminder that having moments of weakness in this time is not a negative thing.”
Baker said that struggling with motivation or maintaining mental health are normal occurrences in life. “However, as the old saying goes, ‘Without the rain, we wouldn’t have a rainbow.’ Some of the most supportive people in my life have told me how to endure the moments of weakness,” she said.
To her parents, Baker tearfully thanked them for showing unconditional support. “You have shown me so much love and compassion, and I am forever grateful to you,” Baker said. “I am so proud to be your daughter.”
She also expressed gratitude for having been able to attend school with her sisters and praised the efforts of her teachers in shaping her future.
“Classmates, I am going to miss you,” Baker continued. “I will cherish all those little moments. This graduation is bittersweet for me. I know we all have much in store in the future, and that is very exciting but there is also part of me that’s not quite ready to leave. I feel there are still so many memories we will not have time to make. As someone who struggles with change, this has been difficult for me to think about. Sometimes I wish we could stay young forever, and go back to our childhood. However, as much much as we wish it would, time stops for no one, so I wanted to tell you that I’m thankful for all the time we had together, and I will remember it for the rest of my life. I wish each of you happiness and peace as you move on. Remember to be thankful, kind, and to have a good time no matter what you do.”
Co-valedictorian Lanie Branson thanked everyone, from family to teachers and classmates for their support in reaching graduation. “Most importantly, I want to thank my parents,” Branson said. “Their love and support are what got me here today. If I can give you any advice here today, I would say find those who truly care about you and hold onto them. They’re the ones who stay by your side and support your choices. They’ll tell you you can do anything you set your mind to. Today is proof of that.”
Salutatorian Lauren Williams said graduating is no small feat. “It perhaps is the most significant and life-changing experience that most of us can claim,” she added. “Never hesitate to recognize how proud each and every person here today is for you to complete such a monumental task. Having worked for over 12 years just for this moment, it’s hard to ignore the determination, perseverance, patience, hard work, and even sacrifice that embodies itself in every senior. I have no doubt that every graduate will go on to pursue their dreams. Through all my years in high school, I have learned to see many things, whether it came from a book or a class, or maybe a teacher or a person. At times, we all questioned if we needed to attend first hour or take the extra 50 minutes of sleep. It was always a difficult choice. Regardless, we all learned life lessons gained from knowledge, and our classes taught us so much, even the ones we believed we didn’t need.”
One of the most valuable lessons learned was the need to keep going. “When you feel you can’t overcome something, having the correct mindset makes all the difference,” Williams said. “If you believe you can achieve anything, and you don’t allow others to tell you differently, what you are capable of achieving is truly amazing. I encourage the Class of 2021 to seek all the opportunities that are available to you, and make your own path as you begin your journey toward your future.”
Earning the Citizenship Award were Claire Baker and Caleb Maassen.