Brody Roland and Aliea Chapin named WHS
Outstanding Seniors
WHS Class of 2016 Outstand-ing Girl and Boy… Pictured (from the left): Aliea Chapin and Brody Roland. (TCR photo by Annette Chris-tie)
By Annette Christie
Watervliet High School held their graduation ceremony in Panther stadium on Friday night. The outstanding boy and girl of the Class of 2016 were named as a traditional part of the ceremony.
Brody Roland
Brody Roland is the son of Jason and Christine Roland. He graduated with a 4.18 grade point average. Among his honors are being named a Senior Scholar; a member of the SAC Academic All-Conference team; and was a recipient of the 4-year Science Award.
Brody serves as the National Honor Society President, is a Class Co-President, and
He was a member of track and cross country teams and was named captain of the cross country team. He was a member of the concert and marching band, having been selected as Head Drum Major in his junior and senior year. He was also a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Brody has also been an active member in the community volunteering through local events such as the Cystic Fibrosis St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run and Walk and blood drives. He is a volunteer for the First Church of God and the American Cancer Society. Brody is also Mr. Watervliet 2016.
In the fall, he will attend Western Michigan University pursuing dual certification in music and science education.
Aliea Chapin
Aliea Nicole Chapin is the daughter of Allen and Ginnette Chapin. She is graduating with a 4.0 grade point average.
She will be attending Western Michigan University next fall pursuing certification in elementary education. She hopes to become a 2nd grade school teacher. with hope to teach 2nd grade.
Aliea held many leadership roles during her time at Watervliet High School including National Honor Society Vice-President, Class Co-President, Concert Choir President, and Captain of the Cheerleading Team. She was a member of the track and cross country teams, member of the jazz and concert choir, member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a member of the pilot Peer-2-Peer program.
Aliea volunteers with Children’s Church at Blue Roof Church, North Berrien Senior Center, Little Buddies Cheer Camp, Backpack Outreach, and the Trunk or Treat and Santa’s Toy Shop events at Blue Roof Church.
She was selected as first runner-up to Miss Watervliet earlier this year and went on to claim the Miss Spirit and Miss Congeniality titles for Blossomtime.
High Honors Graduate Olivia Scherer
All Hail the Hartford High School
Class of 2016!
By Nancy Albright
The high school gymnasium swelled to bursting on Friday evening June 3 for the Hartford High School Class of 2016 Commencement exercises. Friends and family fanned themselves with ceremonial programs bearing the green and white of the Indians as 64 Hartford seniors took their last walk as students of Hartford High.
Honors Graduate Ashley Rittase took the podium first to address her classmates, telling them that “You don’t know what your future holds, but it’s out there.” High Honors Graduate Olivia Scherer told her classmates that “We’ve learned to overcome and persevere. We no longer have the luxury of childhood, so it’s time to show the world who you are inside. Don’t forget to love your life; it’s the only one you have. Make it count. Step high, step proud, step greatly.”
Senior high school band members played “Annabel Lee”, their last song as members of the Hartford High School Band. Hartford Schools Board of Education members then bestowed the hard-earned diplomas on each graduate while the gymnasium resounded with whistles and cheers for each and every one.
The students’ final hurrah was, of course, the traditional throwing of gaily decorated caps into the air, one of which read, “Now it’s my turn to teach.”
Also attending the ceremony were Hartford High School Class of 1966 members Marilyn (Avery) Schrumph, Rick and Ernestine (Green) Bachman, Ray Birmele, Thomas Drake, Sharon Faye (Frazier) Zordan, William David Lyons, Mary M. Pawling, Ambrose W. Reid, Terry (Rice) Parks, Robert Ross, Vere Shindeldecker, Jr., Mary Emma Lou (Thornburg) Sefcik, Kenneth W. Willer, Rickey Carroll Willoughby and Hartford City Commissioner Terry Tibbs. The board bestowed honorary diplomas on each member of the group amid a cheering crowd.
Congratulations to the Hartford High School Class of 2016!
COLOMA’S GREEN AND GOLD AWARD… Coloma High School Principal David A. Ehlers presented the Coloma Green and Gold Award to the deserving Courtney Kroschel at the 2016 Commencement Cer-emony on Friday, June 3. (TCR photo by Christina Gelder)
Coloma’s Green and Gold Award
By Christina Gelder
With a class size of just over 100 the Coloma Class of 2016 officially graduated on Friday, June 3 with a ceremony at the Coloma High School.
The ceremony included opening remarks by High School Principal David Ehlers, a speech by Class President Ashley Sipla, musical selections by the band and choir, among other traditional events.
The Green and Gold Award is a long standing Coloma tradition since 1931. It is given to a member of the graduating class who has exemplified excellence throughout their entire high school career. One who symbolize outstanding high school citizenship, leadership, and accomplishment.
Principal Ehlers stated that requirements of the award indicate the student possesses those intangible qualities of personality, which makes them an outstanding school citizen.
The award winner is selected by the high school faculty and is kept as a secret until the graduation. School officials have a difficult time choosing only one winner every year because there are many fine young people who graduate. The qualifications for the award have not changed in the past decades and 102 graduates have been the recipient of this honor.
The 2016 Green and Gold winner was Courtney Kroschel. Courtney is the daughter of David and Diane Kroschel and plans to attend St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame in the fall.
Her extra-curricular activities include National Honor Society President, Student Council Secretary, Girls’ Varsity Tennis, as well as Marching and Concert Bands. Courtney is also representing Coloma this year as the 1st Runner up to Miss Coloma and Miss Congeniality.
There was much support and applause, not only for Courtney but for the entire graduating class at the very well attended graduation ceremony.
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