Seniors give their final goodbyes
For the 18 seniors who graduated from Bancroft-Rosalie Friday night, it was the end of an era.
While they were busy learning to write their names and share their toys, later researching term papers and taking semester tests, the clock counted down 2,500 days, 19,000 hours and 81,000 minutes that they spent together. In fact, 11 of the 18 have been with each other since preschool.
But that chapter of their lives is over, and a new one is about to begin.
Leading the class were salutatorian Aaron Steichen and valedictorian Preston Peters. Also receiving diplomas were Andre Berg, Tim Browning, Auston Darnell, Caleb Hansen, Mary Jo McCauley, Shelby Ostrand, Paige Raasch, Nick Sjuts, Morgan Smith, Seth Steinmeyer, Dre Stone, Taylor Tietz, Allie Vogt, Ryan Wellman, Kayli Wheaton and Drew Zitek.
Wearing National Honor Society cords were Auston Darnell, Caleb Hansen, Shelby Ostrand, Preston Peters, Paige Raasch, Nick Sjuts, Aaron Steichen and Allie Vogt. That same nine along with Drew Zitek were awarded gold medallions for taking college preparatory classes.
The total value of scholarships awarded during the night was $665,010.
Earning scholarships were:
Andre Berg: Dinklage Foundation, Briar Cliff University Academic Achievement Award, Briar Cliff University Football Award, Briar Cliff University Connection Award, Briar Cliff University Grant and Max & Dorothy Peterson Memorial.
Tim Browning: Northeast Community College Speech Performance Grant.
Auston Darnell: Dinklage Foundation, Bancroft-Rosalie Education Foundation, First National Bank, Shawn McFarlane Memorial, Midland University Athlete and Cuming County Pork Producers.
Caleb Hansen: Dinklage Foundation, Bancroft Community Club and Wayne State College Cooperating School alternate.
Shelby Ostrand: Nebraska Wesleyan Black & Gold, Midland University Women’s Athletic, Bancroft-Rosalie Education Foundation, Bancroft-Rosalie Education Association, Briar Cliff University Academic Award, Doane College Van Hoy Scholar, First Community Bank, Effie Wood Memorial, Rosalie Alumni and Russ Herman Memorial.
Preston Peters: Doane (Academic), Dinklage Foundation, Bancroft-Rosalie Education Foundation, First National Bank, Myron Vogt Memorial and Northeast Community College Golf.
Paige Raasch: Dinklage Foundation, Bancroft Alumni Association, Max & Dorothy Peterson Memorial, Wayne State College Merit and American Legion Rider Post 159.
Nick Sjuts: Dinklage Foundation, Bancroft-Rosalie Education Foundation, Bancroft Alumni Association alternate, Russ Herman Memorial, Morningside College Athletic, Morningside College Founder, Morningside College Achievement Award, Northwestern College Academic Achievement, Northwestern College Men’s Basketball, Northwestern College Red 101 and Wayne State College Cooperating School.
Morgan Smith: Northeast Community College Dean alternate, Great Plains Communications, Myron Vogt Memorial and OPPD Power Drive.
Aaron Steichen: Bancroft-Rosalie Education Foundation, Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, Walthill Rodeo, West Point Community Foundation-Hank & Mona Stalp, University of Northern Iowa and James M. Cox Foundation.
Seth Steinmeyer: Northeast Community College Dean and Dinklage Foundation.
Dre Stone: Morningside College Ambassador Award and Morningside Grant.
Taylor Tietz: Northeast Community College Dean alternate, Dinklage Foundation and Cuming County Feeders.
Allie Vogt: Dinklage Foundation, Bancroft-Rosalie Education Foundation, Bancroft-Rosalie Education Association, Bancroft Alumni Association, First Community Bank, Shawn McFarlane Memorial alternate, Midland University Women’s Athletic, Morningside College Athletic Grant and Morningside College Ambassador Award.
Ryan Wellman: Western Iowa Tech Community College Board and Dinklage Foundation.
Drew Zitek: Bancroft-Rosalie Education Foundation.
Congratulations and good luck!