58 MHS seniors awarded diplomas

MEEKER I The sun gods shined brightly on the Meeker High School Class of 2014 on Saturday, which started off with a good rain and overcast skies at about 9:15 a.m., but no raindrops or even clouds were in evidence when commencement exercises began at 10 a.m.
There were 58 seniors who received their high school diplomas during the exercises, which began with the class procession to “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the MHS band.

The welcome was given by MHS Principal Kim Ibach, and she was followed by Piper Haney, who gave the salutatorian address, Ohana Mataia, who presented the commencement address introduction, and the commencement address given by MHS instructor and coach Klark Kindler.

Several scholarships were awarded during the ceremony, including: the $1,000 Coach Bob Tucker Memorial Scholarship wen to Shelby Burke; the Fred and Annie Burke Memorial Scholarship went to Shelby Burke; the Pat Johnson Memorial Scholarship went to Bailey Mantle; the Richard G. Lyttle Memorial Scholarship went to Shelby Burke; the VFW Post 5843 and the Ladies Auxiliary scholarships went to Ty Shepherd and Alexis Gutierrez, respectfully; the Johnny Wix Aspiring Artist Scholarship went to Emily Cardile; the W.C. Striegel scholarships went to Alexis Gutierrez and Elizabeth Fellows for the Book Scholarship, Talia Rosas for the CNCC Book Scholarship, Aaron Cochran for the Engineering Scholarship and Dannon Bolton won the Outstanding Work Ethic Outside of the Classroom Scholarship; the Ron Leeper Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Aaron Cochran; The Natural Soda/Bill Gun Scholarship went to Caleb Lange; and the Meeker Lions Club scholarships were presented to Aly Ridings, Alexis Gutierrez, Taylor Ahrens, Kay Lynn Dunham, Talia Rosas and Dannon Bolton.

According to Meeker High School Principal Kim Ibach, the graduates have earned $153,400 in local scholarships and $443,200 in grants and college scholarships. She also reported that the graduates have amassed more than 1,400 college credits toward higher education degrees.

The Class of 2014 colors were purple and silver; class flower was the Forget Me Not; class song was “I Go Back” by Kenny Chesney; and the class motto was “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 your know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where you go…”
Class officers were: President Ohana Mataia; Vice President Elizabeth Fellows; Secretary Taylor Morris and Treasurer Justin Giao.
Class sponsors were Dr. Bob Dorsett, Marla Lee and Trina Smith.