Graduating seniors set to get diplomas from MHS, Mitchell Christian School

Caps, gowns and other commencement paraphernalia will take center stage this weekend at two Mitchell graduation ceremonies.

The nine students who will make up the 19th graduating class of Mitchell Christian High School will collect their diplomas at a 2 p.m. ceremony today at Baas Auditorium, said MCHS Principal Greg Nelson.

Mitchell High School’s 178 seniors will take part in commencement exercises at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Corn Palace.

Viewed through the lens of adolescent impatience, the scheduled weekend graduation ceremonies may appear impossibly delayed. For the parents and family members who will attend commencement rites, the past four years likely are a blur.

At Mitchell Christian, teacher Bob Lemon will address his students, all of whom are headed off to college next year, said Nelson. Lemon teaches Bible studies as well as an advanced course in philosophy.

The title of Lemon’s speech is “…and your world got a little bit bigger.”

“This is the first year that our seniors have taken on new leadership roles,” said Nelson. During the year the seniors led Bible studies and discussion groups with underclassmen, he said.

The 178 graduates of the MHS class of 2010 will have 93 male and 85 female graduates, said Registrar Kelly Ellston. Nearly 80 percent — or more specifically, 139 students — plan to attend college this fall.

Of that number, 115 grads will attend in-state colleges and 24 will attend out-of-state schools, mostly in Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota. Some will travel to colleges as distant as California and New Jersey.

“Due to declining enrollment, the Class of 2010 may be smaller than classes in years past,” said MHS Principal Yvonne Palli, “but they are still exceptional.”

Perfect 4.0 grade-point averages were earned by four students: Emily Hansen, Amelia Rew, Ashley Schmidt and Ashley Thelen.

If being there is half the battle, then senior Jordan Jendersee will have a leg up on his fellow graduates. Jendersee posted a perfect attendance record from kindergarten through 12th grade. He is headed to the University of South Dakota at Vermillion.

MHS seniors will hear their words of inspiration from classmates Jacob Pecenka and Ryan Contreras, who will share speaking honors.

Unlike most schools, which recruit outside speakers, MHS has a tradition of enlisting speakers from student ranks. Students who are interested in speaking apply for that honor. Classmates vote to determine the speakers.

Contreras will give an address titled “Self Standard” and Pecenka will speak about, “The History of the Future.”

Contreras was on the radio quiz bowl for three years, was Student of the Week in social studies and directed the food drive at Second Chance High School.

Pecenka, an Eagle Scout who has been involved in numerous show choir and other activities throughout his high school career, said he heard previous senior speakers and “I thought that addressing my class would be something cool to do.”

His speech will add an element of responsibility to the day’s celebratory nature.

“The general idea is that our history as a senior class, and what we’ve done in the past, affects who we are today and who we are today will affect not only our future, but the future of the world,” he said.

Pecenka is off to South Dakota State University next year, where he will study biology.

While the majority of MHS graduates will be attending college next fall, 16 students will join the military and 39 are either going on to work or are undecided about their plans.

Tags: news, local, graduation, mhs