Strong efforts make a strong success

Jenna Campbell

Times Jr Reporter

 

Cloudy with a chance of rain, the weather however surprised as the Strathmore High School’s graduating class of 2011 received a bit of sun on their special day. On Saturday, May 28, 213 students were dressed in their blue robes, becoming one of the largest SHS graduating classes that Strathmore has ever seen. 

The busy day, beginning with the morning ceremonies, and ending with the evening celebrations had the appearance of effortless transition. However, it would not have been possible if it were not for the many students, parents, teacher volunteers who have spent the year planning and preparing for this important event. 

The SHS grad committee, organized by teachers Connie Pederson and Rob Pirie, began their extensive planning at the start of the school year, first preparing for winter formal, and finally for the more important event – grad. 

The committee’s chairman, SHS student, Jessica Steffens, felt that the grad committee started out strong with high numbers, but as time before grad began to dwindle, so did the number of students. When work needed to be done, Steffens felt that there was only a select few who could be depended on. Even though the grad committee was left with a smaller group, Steffens felt that this group was more concrete and the help that they gave was immense. 

“I think that having a leadership role kind of made it difficult for other students,” said Steffens. “I think that’s why some people quit; I think they felt that it was one person doing it, when really it wasn’t. I just organized the meetings. Having a committee that is more run by each other, I think, would have been better.”

The evening banquet and the Safe Grad after party was completely put on by parent volunteers. The event’s organizer, parent, Karen Knight, felt that there was a great amount of help from the parents, but, there was a lack of support from SHS administrator staff. If given the opportunity to notify the students about the banquet and activities, and sell tickets on the school grounds, Knight felt that the overall participation from the students could have been greater. 

“To me, it’s very disheartening that the high school administrator wants nothing to do with the banquet for grad, and getting together with a traditional function that every high school in the area participates in,” she said. “What I would have liked to see was more kids there, these kids grew up with each other for the last twelve years and went to school together, they should be celebrating together.”

In regards to help from the administrator staff, Jessica Steffens, on the other hand, felt that they did a good job, and did not sense negativity.

“I felt that all the teachers were really good about the banquet and encouraged me to go,” said Steffens. “I think it went really good.”

Overall, Knight felt that the banquet and safe grad was a success, and would not have been possible without the help from the volunteers, with a special thank you to Brittany Walker for her power point presentation at the banquet, Arlis O’Neil, for being Knight’s wingman and Julia Gigantelli and Michelle Walker for helping organize the night’s events. 

Despite the safe grad’s inevitable injuries which seem to occur every year – including stitches in the head from a towel dispenser and a chipped tooth for another student – any in attendance would have called the night well worth it. Both Knight and Steffens largely emphasized that the grad would not have been possible if it were not for the combined efforts of all the volunteers.