Bismarck graduates 34 seniors on Friday
Ceremony will be held in new gymnasium
By C.Cline / Staff Writer
Daily Journal, Park Hills, Missouri
May 17, 2007

The senior class recognizes those who have had an impact on them during
their years of school during the presentation of roses at graduation.

BISMARCK — On Friday 34 seniors will say good-bye to the halls they have called home over the past four years. The Bismarck Class of 2007 will gather for the last time for graduation at 7 p.m.

The valedictorian is Lacey McCaulla and the salutatorian is Mike Franklin. The Class of 2007’s motto is, “If we go down, we go down together. That’s what best friends mean.”

This class will have the distinction of being the first class to graduate in Bismarck’s new gymnasium. The $2.6 million dollar addition was completed in March.

“The new gym will seat approximately 1,100 people,” said Bismarck Superintendent Dr. Damon Gamble. “The old gym could only seat about half that number. Space has been a problem in the past for graduation. We would always bring in as many chairs as we could and we would still have folks standing up. Hopefully with the new gym we won’t have that problem.”

Gamble said when it came down to deciding whether or not to have prom in the new gym versus the old gym there were some students who wanted to use the old gym out of sentimental value.

“While there was some discussion about this for prom I don’t think there were any issues with graduation,” Gamble said. “It just makes more sense having it in the new gym. There are probably a few students who would have liked to have had graduation in the old gymnasium, but overall I think the Class of 2007 wants to have their graduation in the new gymnasium.”

Seniors Say Good-Bye to School, Hello to Future
BismarckHolds Graduation Ceremony Friday Night
By C.Cline - Staff Writer
Daily Journal, Park Hills, Missouri
May 20, 2007

Senior Class President Michael Franklin (left) performs with his brother
at the Bismarck Graduation Ceremony Friday

BISMARCK — Senior Class President Michael Franklin reminded his fellow Bismarck seniors that after they left graduation Friday, they would not be students anymore, but rather alumni. The Bismarck Class of 2007 said good-bye to the halls they had called home for their high school years and said hello to their future.

“As this year went on we realized that we didn’t have all the answers,” Franklin said. “It’s time for us to step out and find our own way again.”

Franklin pulled double duty as both the senior class president and as the salutatorian. Instead giving a speech as the class president, Franklin elected to play his acoustic guitar. He and his brother sang a song as tribute to his classmates.

Valedictorian Lacey McCaulla told those in attendance that while her class was small in number, they had accomplished a lot as a group.

“As one door closes, another one will open,” McCaulla said. “The decisions we make now will determine what type of grown-ups we will become. We are leaving here with many fond memories.”

Bismarck Superintendent Dr. Damon Gamble encouraged the seniors to “be all that they can be.”

“Seize the opportunity to be all you can be,” Gamble said. “Take the lessons you have learned with you.”

Those who received diplomas during the graduation ceremony Friday included: Jeremy Linn Anderson, Cassie Elizabeth Becker,  Andrea Lynn Bone, Jessica Lorene Bonifield, Zachary Ryan Clampitt, Davey Aaron Crawford, Bobbie Ella Crocker, Jarrett Wayne Davis, Matthew Lynn Dunlap, Casey Ryan Fisher, Michael Thomas Franklin, Steven Paul Gettinger, Paul Tyler Gillam, Amie Gwen Hafner, Tara Breann Horton, Brittney Michelle Irby, Adam DeWayne Kell, Leah Kay Kniess, Timothy William Lincoln, Kayleena Jo Marez, Joseph Eugene Mayberry, Lacey Idell McCaulla, Andrea Davie Danielle Mecey, Matthew Brian Nash, Ashlee Sue Oster, Christopher Ryan Parish, Michael Ray Pogue, Chelsey Marie Politte, Joel Spencer Reese, Mary Katreena Rothlisberger, Elizabeth Danielle Scherffius, Joshua Edwin Shelton, Scott Edward Shelton, Tarra Leann Snyder.