Crowd of more than 3,000 sees 172 MHS graduates receive diplomas

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Jacob Brunsen receives his diploma Sunday afternoon during the 2011 Mitchell High School Commencement Ceremony at the Corn Palace. (Chris Huber/Republic)

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Parents dabbed teary eyes and wielded video cameras as Mitchell High School seniors wore black robes and eager smiles during the 2011 Mitchell High School Commencement Ceremony Sunday afternoon at the Corn Palace.

Screams of “boo-yah,” “Way to go, Joel,” and “yeah boy,” could be heard from the crowd as each of the 172 graduates made their way across the stage to receive their diplomas.

A crowd of more than 3,000 people took in the event, though commencement speaker Cole Johnson, one of two seniors who spoke, joked that it looked more like 2,800 to him.

Johnson spoke about choices each graduate would make in their life in his speech entitled, “Fear of Choice.”

Johnson urged his fellow classmates to not be afraid of trying something new, noting, “The ark was built by amateurs, but the Titanic was built by professionals.”

Matthew Spates was also a graduation speaker and gave thanks to his parents, teachers and others who helped each student along the way in his speech titled, “Gratitude (Interrupted by Other Life Lessons).”

Spates spoke about how each event in one’s life shapes who they become as a person.

Before the ceremony, senior class Vice President Trevor Flemmer laughed with friends in the hallway of the Corn Palace.

Flemmer said he has been excited for this day for some time and he is ready to start a new chapter in his life. He said he will look back at high school with found memories of friends.

Flemmer plans on attending either North Dakota State University or the University of Nebraska Lincoln to study architecture.

Jean Scherschlight’s daughter Carissa graduated Sunday and Jean said the day was one of mixed emotions.

“On the one hand we are so proud of her but on the other it will be hard to see her go,” said Scherschlight.

Carissa will attend Mount Marty in the fall and, according to her mother, the thought of having an empty nest hasn’t quite sunk in yet.

After the ceremony, hugs were exchanged, pictures were taken and high-fives given as students, family members and friends spilled into the hallways and exterior of the Corn Palace.

Dakota Gamber posed for pictures outside the palace after the ceremony and said he feels relieved and is ready to move on to the next part of his life.

Gamber is in the South Dakotas Air National Guard and will be going to basic training in the summer and then to South Dakota State University, in Brookings, in the fall.

Gamber said he enjoyed high school noting, “I made a lot of really great friendships after moving here my freshman year.”

Chelsea Berg, Rhennetta Bork, Danielle Bruscher, Joel Krause, Courtney B. Miller, Tyler Osterloo, and Andrea Uher were recognized for receiving a 4.0 GPA throughout their high school career when receiving their diplomas.

Music for the commencement was provided by a song by the Senior Choir as well as duets by Tyler Osterloo and Emily Grode, and Joel Krause and Katherine Manson.

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