Area schools graduate, announce top honors

• Cloquet High School grads

Cloquet High School grads

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• Carlton graduation 2012

Alana Groth’s emotions ran the gamut on graduation day last Wednesday, as the Carlton salutatorian laughed on her walk up to the stage with classmate Christy Eggert, and then fought back tears during her commencement speech.

With her classmates behind her, Groth put her finger up for a moment of patience as she tried to hold her emotions in check.

Undoubtedly, there were many people this past week – students, parents and other loved ones – who struggled with their emotions amidst all the pomp and circumstance.

But, as U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) once said: “There’s a reason they call these ceremonies ‘commencement exercises.’ Graduation is not the end; it’s the beginning.”

Congratulations to Carlton County’s graduates!

Because the Pine Journal’s special graduation section came out in advance of graduation, the top honorees of each class – the valedictorians and salutatorians – were not recognized.

Following is a quick summary of most of the recent graduation ceremonies in Carlton County:

+ Barnum graduated 45 seniors Friday, June 1. The 2012 valedictorian was Rebecca Madden and the salutatorian was Katelyn Myhre.

+ Carlton High School graduated 26 students Wednesday, May 30. Megan Nelson was the valedictorian; Alana Groth was salutatorian.

+ A total of 172 students graduated from Cloquet High School Friday, June 1. Valedictorian was Gina Lehner, daughter of the late Richard Lehner. William Bauer was salutatorian; he is the son of Mark and Susanne Bauer.

+ Cromwell-Wright graduated 20 seniors Friday, May 25. Valedictorian was Garret Hackensmith, while MaKayleigh Cahoon was salutatorian.

+ Esko’s Lincoln High School graduated 82 students Friday, June 1. The Pine Journal does not have the names of the valedictorian or salutatorian for Esko but will publish them at a later date if available.

+ The Fond du Lac Ojibwe School had 20 students graduate Wednesday, May 23. The school does not identify valedictorian or salutatorian. Student speakers were Sage Martin, Jennifer Abramowski and Torrey Petite. Deb Johnson Fuller from the school board spoke to the students. Technology teacher Charles Hilliard also spoke to the students.

+ Moose Lake High School had 54 seniors graduate Sunday, May 27. The school does not identify valedictorian or salutatorian.

+ Wrenshall High School had 15 seniors graduate Thursday, May 24. Anthony Wojtysiak was the valedictorian and Maria Burcar was salutatorian. Burcar and Richard Zinter gave senior speeches. Zinter and Wojtysiak prepared a very nice senior side show. David Blinn, science teacher, addressed the class.

The Carlton County Homeschool Class of 2012 graduated May 19 at New Life Community Church in Carlton. Graduates included Brittany Kristine Pettersen, Benjamin Eugene Jones, Brandon Lander Welman, Ethan Matthew Lemke, Deborah Rose Beaulieu, Nicole Marie Roach, Jamin Anne Reece, Michaela Rai Houser, Sarah Elaine Schulte, Stephanie Jean Miller, Samantha Ann Schaumburg and Lucy Joy Super.

Tags: carlton county, education, updates