Waitsburg's week of celebrations and honors

WAITSBURG-Waitsburg celebrated a week of graduations, promotions, induction or installation and numerous parties.

On June 4, the Kindergarten class held an afternoon graduation ceremony in the Elementary's multipurpose room. Twenty students sang "Kindergarten Medley" and "Goodbye My Friend" before receiving certificates from their teacher, Mrs. Jordan Greer.

In the evening, the school honored Hope Adkins, Sarah Daves, Karissa Potts, and Sara Wilson, inducting them into the National Honor Society at the High School Auditorium. To be eligible, the students had to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and complete an application process followed by a team interview.

Submitted photo

Installed NHS members Holly Adkins, Sarah Daves, Karissa Potts and Sara Wilson

The seniors participated in the senior walk on June 6. After taking group and individual photos on the high school's front lawn, the students walked through the elementary halls, getting high-fives and hugs from students lining the halls. They walked through Preston Hall Middle School and finished their walk at the High School. That evening, they attended the annual Baccalaureate with teacher Matt Elder as speaker.

Karen Huwe

Seniors Ben Gascon, Kairi Dalhby, Jayce Gleason, Paige Evans, Julio Mercado, Abbi Paolino and Simon Andersen clap hands with Kindergarten and Pre-K students

On the afternoon of June 7, twelve Pre-K students received their graduation certificates from teacher Mrs. Eleanora Montgomery. The group sang "Clap Clap" and "Moving to Kindergarten" before enjoying refreshments.

Karen Huwe

Pre-K students on graduation day (L-R) Tegan Huxoll, Adilynn Knighton, Harley Childers, Mac Melcher, Axel Stenson, Ethan Hays, Lane Eastman, Landon Long, Legend Richards, Bryson French, Emmett Kibler (Jesse Giacalone not pictured)

Waitsburg High School Class of 2024 walked down the aisle to "Pomp and Circumstance" at 8:00 pm on June 7 in the high school gym. ASB President Blake French led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Superintendent David Woods' welcome speech.   

Speeches by honor students Makenna Barron and Jasper Morrow, Salutatorian Alyssa Segraves, and Valedictorian Julio Mercado (4.0 GPA) were insightful.  

Principal Joe Wirtzberger presented scholarships, and school board members Sarah Boudrieau and Christy House presented diplomas to eighteen seniors.  The group walked out to the song "Young" by Kenny Chesney.

The Class of 2028 was promoted to high school in a ceremony held on Monday, June 10, in the High School Auditorium. 

Joe Wirtzberger spoke about the class and then presented three awards.  Verbena McLaughlin was presented with the Student of the Year award in science and mathematics.  Juca Beckman was honored as Student of the Year in ELA.

The fifteen eighth-graders received their promotion certificates from school board member Sarah Boudrieau. Wirtzberger ended the ceremony by thanking the parents for having respectful children.  

Karen Huwe

Waitsburg Lion Ross Hamann was presented with the Melvin Scott Award.

The Lions Club installation of officers and board members that evening was preceded by Ross Hamann receiving the Melvin Scott Award. The following were sworn in as board members and officers for 2024-2025:

Karen Huwe

Lions officers and board members were installed June 4 (l-r) Talbott, Romine, Mantz-Powers, Hamann, Tipton, T. House, K. House, Farley, S. House, Roberts

• President Connor Talbott,

• First V.P., Dale Robers

• Second V.P., Tom House,

• Third V.P., David Woods

• Treasurer Kevin House

• Secretary Ross Hamann

Jim Romine is now Past President/Tail twister. Paul Mantz-Powers and Drew Farley are second year board members joined by first year board members Dave Tipton and Seamus House.