Graduation 2009: Posen High School graduates honored

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

Posen High School (PHS) had plenty to celebrate last Friday, as the school launched the Class of 2009. Families, friends, classmates and well-wishers applauded the 17 graduates. People snapped photos, school officials gave speeches and relatives cheered the young adults during their milestone moment. When it was all over, PHS had educated another 17 citizens.? Rev. Clarence Smolinski opened the ceremony with the invocation and was followed to the podium by salutatorian Nicole Purol, who reminisced about her time in school and the fun she had with her classmates through the years.

?Never again will we be able to sneak into the classrooms and rearrange the furniture, play Animorphs during recess, or skip class to play volleyball with the physical education class,? said Purol. ?This is most likely the last time that our whole class will be in the same room together and, for some of us, the last time we will see each other.? Purol expressed her appreciation to the staff of Posen Consolidated School, the community of Posen, her parents and the parents of her classmates.

CLASS VALEDICTORIAN Victoria Wozniak then spoke to those assembled. ?The teachers at this school, though they are small in numbers, have some of the biggest hearts I know,? said Wozniak. ?The students probably don?t say thank you enough, so I?ll be their voice. Thank you for the time and effort you put into teaching us not only your given subject but also teaching us about life.? Wozniak called the parents and family of the Class of 2009 their ?biggest supporters and source of love that we have.?

She spoke of the laughs and tears the class has shared the last 13 years and how tough it was going to be to leave the memories behind. ?Some of us can?t wait and others wish that it hadn?t come so soon,? said Wozniak. Following a video presentation, featuring many photos from the classes? years at PHS, evoking many smiles and laughs, Autumn Reece sung a rousing rendition of Miley Cyrus? hit song, ?The Climb.? Reece received some of the loudest cheers of the evening during the performance.

SUPERINTENDENT DRU MILLIRON recommended the seniors for graduation to board of education president Ken Wozniak. ?Your numbers are small with only 17 graduates but in the years to come you will be remembered for what you have achieved,? said Wozniak. He said the class excelled in the classrooms, with proof of this being the large number going on to coll

ege, and in sports. Both the boys? and girls? basketball teams earned sixth place academic all-state honors in Class D, said Wozniak. In addition, the girls had won league championships in volleyball, basketball and softball.

?This year I am especially proud to say a few words as a parent. Our daughter Victoria is a member of the class.? Addressing the graduates, Wozniak said, ?My wife and I have always enjoyed your company. We were always impressed with your behavior, politeness, great personalities, sense of humor and leadership skills. We would like to wish each of you the best of luck in the future.

?It will not be easy for you, this is a tough world you are now entering. The economic crisis is for real.? Class advisor Howard Madsen announced each graduates name and had each one cross the stage to receive their diplomas from the board president. ?In conclusion,? said Milliron, ? I wish to give you a few words of wisdom: first, keep working hard. As a class you were always driven, keep it up. Second, have fun. Be careful, but have fun.? Jan Algren of Alpena played ?Pomp and Circumstance? on the piano, as the newest members of the PHS alumni took their first steps into adulthood.