Houston grads

celebrate

May 20, 2007

By Amie Pappas

Frontiersman

HOUSTON - The pride was plain to see as the 72 graduates of Houston High School walked to the platform to receive their diplomas Saturday afternoon.

Principal Mike Vrvilo welcomed the graduates and the audience by commending the graduates for their hard work and sense of humor.

&#8220We have very high standards, and this has been one of our best graduating classes.” Vrvilo said.

The crowd was then addressed by student body president Daniel Kurber who earned an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He told his fellow classmates to &#8220Go out and grab the bull by the horns.”

Faculty speaker Scott Helle described the week leading up to the ceremony. He joked that while students and teachers were under the stress of final exams, grades and preparation for graduation, parents were thinking what they would like to do with an empty bedroom.

Then graduate Aubrey Anderson gave a solo vocal performance of &#8220Into the West,” as she accompanied herself on piano.

There was a final goodbye to Houston High's activities director, Jamie Smith, as he leaves to coach the Alaska Avalanche.

Valedictorian Quentin Veit, started out his speech by asking, &#8220Grandma can you see me OK?” To which his grandmother stood to light applause.

Veit gave advice to his fellow grads.

&#8220When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

Veit said he had mixed emotions about graduating.

&#8220There are a lot of different feelings,” he said. &#8220It all came together better than expected.”

Veit's father, Melvin Veit, said he was proud of his son.

&#8220He worked very hard, I am overwhelmed by his maturity and fortitude,” he said.

Veit was the recipient of several scholarships, including the President's Education Award, which was also given to students Daniel Kurber and Anne Warner.

During the presentation of the roses, students handed the flowers to parents and friends. One student wiped away a tear as she headed back to her seat.

A video presentation was shown featuring pictures of each student as a baby, in childhood and as a graduate, as The Beatles song &#8220In My Life” played.

Eight students were named University of Alaska scholars by distinguishing themselves in the top 10 percent of their class. Each receives $1,375 per semester for eight semesters at any state university.

Other students had a different experience.

&#8220I feel extremely fortunate to be graduating,” Autumn Liston said.

With extra work and the help of her teachers, Liston made it to the ceremony when she was worried she might not make it. She said the extra time and effort made the difference.

Tassels were moved from one side of caps to the other by graduates, marking the end of their time together. Principal Vrvilo reminded the grads they would never have another moment like this one.

After the closing remarks, hats were thrown, confetti fluttered and Silly String tangled as the class of 2007 left the gym.

Contact Amie Pappas at 352-2284.

Houston High School, class of 2007

Jennifer Adolphs, Aubrey LaRae Anderson, Chris Anntina Aukon, Megan J. Bauer, Samantha M. Bertling, Kristeen Aunna-May Bicchinella, Ashley Bishop, Elizabeth Louise Bottom, Jeremy Duane Bower, Aaron R. Burleson, Taylor Jace Burr, Christopher Cody Callaway, Maria Rose Chace, Aaron Kenneth Conn, Wayne William Daugherty, Caalee Ann Dilley, Blake D. Elder, Zack Clem Fait, Philippa Fennes, Sierra Fishback, Arthur J. Francois, Gavin Ronald Gaffney, Ashley Nicole Galvin, Matthew Eugene Gardner, Hannah Michelle Gauthier, Lisa M. Gearing, BriAnne Marlee Grant-Tipton, Seth Daniel Grove, Jessie Lee Herbster, Amy M. Houston-Pocock, James R. Howard, Adam Ray Johnson, Amanda Breann Jones, Partick David Jurica, Alena Nicole Katzenberger, Jacquelyn Suezanne Kuhn, Daniel Keith Kurber, Tabitha G. Larson, Philip Donald Lestenkof, Zebulon N. Lierley, Chad Joseph Lipse, Autumn Richelle Liston, Amber Nichole Marotta, Kandice Tamara Martinez, Bryan Louis Moe, Nicole Joe'l Moore, David Allan Nardini, Gabriela Ann Olide, Michael Thomas Ouellette, Donovan Victor Parker, Curtis Dale Railing, Daniel Thomas Ramsey, Dana Marie Ranum, Caylee Anne Redford, Jessica Renaie Ringus, Leslie Diane Rowlett, Meuy V. Saechao, Raelyn Marie Sholes, Hannah D. Simpkins, Catherine Anne Simpson, Kurtis P. Soczka, Dustin J. Spidal, Careissa Carollin Stiles, Tyler Scott Strickland, Jonathan D. Stull, Ryan Christopher Thamm, Karl E. Thistle, Lindsay Marie Tymick, Lynessa M. VanKirk, Quentin D. Veit, Anne Mayree Warner, Kaleb Martin Westfall, Johanna Helene Zivotic.