Class of 2009 receives diplomas, looks to future
By Anna Krejci, Dells Events
Former Wisconsin Dells High School senior Kasondra White couldn’t wait for her graduation from high school to be official.
“I was really excited and impatient to get up and get the diploma,” she said after a ceremony Friday at the Crystal Grand Music Theatre in Lake Delton.
White was one of 140 students in the graduating Class of 2009 to receive her degree, and she has great hopes for the future.
She will take art classes at the University of Wisconsin-Baraboo and intends to transfer to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“I do mainly 2D acrylics and pastel. I want to be a studio artist,” White said.
Hers is just one plan out of many that will be carried out among the graduates, and the Class of 2009 heard words of encouragement and advice from the speakers preparing them for struggles, triumphs and finding what will make them happy.
The valedictorian, Alex Curry, referenced the invention of automatic teller machines, remote controls, jet airliners, communication satellites, smoke detectors, cell phones, personal computers, Velcro, and GPS to remind his fellow classmates and the audience how far society has come.
“The inventors of these technologies sat in our very positions, at a crossroads between childhood and the many choices of adulthood. What can we all accomplish in the next 50 years? One of us could be the person who comes up with the cure for cancer or a new development in some other form of technology that could benefit the world around us. I can almost guarantee you that most of those inventors were doubtful of their futures just as many of us are now, but they overcame and benefitted the entire world with their knowledge in their individual fields and made the world a better place. Class of 2009, what kind of difference are we going to make of our future?” he said.
He contrasted the failures of Bernie Madoff and his false investments with the good deeds of Andrew Carnegie who used his wealth to create public libraries across the country.
“There is nothing wrong with having plans and working hard and achieving, but how do you want to be remembered? As someone who takes advantage of others and is lonely in the end or as someone who gives back to his community and is content with his life. Something that I would like to leave you with tonight is: Each and every one of us can make a difference in our world, but it’s your choice to make. Sometimes we may fail, but our ideas and contributions can still live on forever.”
High school English teacher Michael Michalsky spoke at the podium, mostly to convey his sense of gratitude to the students for letting him live a rewarding life as a teacher and giving him meaningful relationships that count more than money.
“So thank you for teaching me daily what is truly important in life,” Michalsky said. “As friends of mine worry about their bottom line and plan 20 years in advance for retirement, the laughs we all shared this year can be my 401K, your accomplishments can be my savings plan, and your visits back from college to see me can by my trust fund. I know I’ll be a wealthy man.”
“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives. Although I will never be a doctor, lawyer or business owner, in some small way I can experience these professions through your accomplishments as you pursue these fields,” he said.
And Michalsky interspersed some humorous remarks in his speech. He thanked the Class of 2009 for saving him from an enormous ego.
“Thank you also for keeping me humble. The nicknames of Lego Man, Circus Midget and Grandma will always serve to make sure that I never get too big for my britches,” he said.
The class salutatorian and president delivered a speech together. They reminisced about kindergarten half days and forgetting middle school locker combinations while pretending to pack moving boxes stacked on either side of them on stage.
Later they moved to the podium and left fellow students with empowering words.
Whether their fellow graduates pursue an education or enter the working world doesn’t matter, Remington said.
“All that matters is you do something with your life that is meaningful. Do whatever it takes to achieve your dreams, and make sure you are living the life you want to live,” she said.
After the ceremony family and friends of the graduates gathered on the front lawn of the theater to hug and congratulate them. White said she felt “excited” and “surreal.”
“I’m very excited about her graduating, happy for the Class of 2009,” said her mother, Kim Breunig. “And I think the staff was outstanding.”