113 graduate from Charles City High School
Members of the Charles City concert choir sing "A Million Dreams" from "The Greatest Showman," during graduation Sunday at the high school gym. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Charles City Board of Education member Missy Freund hands a diploma to Marissa Deeter during graduation Sunday. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Elias King, one of two class speakers, talks to his fellow classmates during commencement Sunday. Behind him are, from left, Associate Principal Larry Wolfe, Superintendent Dan Cox and Principal Josh Johnson. Press photo by Bob Steenson
CCHS graduates exit the gym after commencement Sunday. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Members of the Charles City High School Class of 2018 throw their caps into the air after graduating Sunday. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Students look into the stands for family and friends during the Charles City High School graduation Sunday. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Members of the Class of 2018 move their tassels to the other sides of their caps, signifying they have graduated. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Theo Arndt, one of two class speakers, addresses the Charles City High School Class of 2018 at commencement ceremonies Sunday. Behind him are, from left, Associate Principal Larry Wolfe, Superintendent Dan Cox and Principal Josh Johnson. Press photo by Bob Steenson
By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com
The 113 members of the Charles City Class of 2018 celebrated their graduations and thanked the inventors of air-conditioning Sunday afternoon on a day that was broiling outside but filled with cool air, heartfelt speeches and hearty congratulations inside the high school gym.
Seventy-three members of the class were listed as honor roll students, having achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above during their high school careers, and of those, 42 wore gold cords for having achieved a 3.5 or better GPA.
Michael Andrews and Derek LaBarge were announced as co-valedictorians, and the Top 10 highest honor roll students included those two, plus Joshua Doucette, Anne Fields, Jenna Page, Sadie Ruzicka, Tayler Schmidt, Ciana Sonberg, Emma Williams and Ryan Wolfe.
Elias King and Theo Arndt were selected by their classmates to give the senior addresses.
King reminded his classmates, “We’ve worked hard together, we’ve gotten in trouble together, we’ve procrastinated together. And, next year or in a few months we’ll still be doing all this stuff, but for the first time in our lives it won’t be together.
“So I think what we should all do before we leave this room, and definitely before you leave at the end of the summer for college or the Army or whatever you’re doing, is just look around at all your friends and actually cherish how much they have made you the person that you are,” King said.
Arndt remarked that the Class of 2018 was unique and one of the most diverse that has gone through Charles City High School.
“With diversity comes a large amount of passion and talents, whether it be in the fine arts, athletics, academics or all that individuals in this class have taken of their own talents and put in their own time,” Arndt said.
“… As a Charles City alum, I expect for all of us to keep demonstrating what this school district has taught us, and that’s to treat everybody in the way you want to be treated,” he said.
Thirteen members of the class wore silver cords with their caps and gowns for having completed 200 or more hours of community service during their high school years. They were Bailee Bortz, Brian Feres, Lee Hoeft, Marshall Holzer, Derek LaBarge, Makayla Nierling, Sadie Ruzicka, Tayler Schmidt, Ciana Sonberg, Carter West, Emma Williams, Mackenzie Wilson and Ryan Wolfe.
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