Onken, Beyerink Take Academic Honors

EAST GREENE HONORS 24 GRADUATING SENIORS

Wesley Onken delivered the valedictory address and Nathaniel Beyerink presented the salutatory address at East Greene commencement exercises Sunday afternoon, May 22, at the high school gymnasium in Grand Junction.

Twenty-four seniors were presented their diplomas at the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Beyerink also presented a vocal solo, “You Raise Me Up,” as part of the ceremonies, and Katlynn Gannon coordinated the senior slide show with help from classmate Molly Neese.

Onken, Beyerink, Gannon, Neese, Schyler Bardole and Brittanee Heaning were honor graduates—grade point averages of 3.5 or higher.

Academic honors were announced by Principal Jon Hueser with the diplomas presented by Superintendent Mike Harter and EG Board of Education President Marc Hoffman.

The 2011 East Greene graduates and their parents are:
Schyler James Roy Bardole, son of Tim and Lori Bardole
Nathaniel John Beyerink, son of Jerry and Lisa Beyerink
Jacee Erin Coffin, daughter of Roger and Jessica Coffin
Tyler Matthew Cooklin, son of Davy Cooklin and Tina Cooklin
Zachary David Dearborn, son of Dave and Joan Dearborn
Katlynn Ilene Gannon, daughter of Hugh and Denise Gannon
Brittanee Marie Heaning, daughter of Bill and Sindee Heaning
Charles Jennings Jacobsen, son of Joe and Theresea Jacobsen
Kyle Wesley Kenan, son of Kim and Gail Rueter and Mark and Shawneene Kenan
Bret David Kersey, son of David and Becky Kersey and T.K. Kendell and Jolene Kendell
Jasmine Marie Kinney, daughter of William Kinney and Denise Kinney
Nicholas Wayne Long, son of Alan Long and Paula Bertini
Tianna Ranae Lowe, daughter of Billy and Kelly Lowe
Kelli Rene Luther, daughter of Glen and Mary Luther
Aaron Joseph Lyons, son of Dean and Lora Lyons
Molly May Neese, daughter of Alan and Katherine Neese
Nicolas Lani Dean Nicolaisen, son of Ronald Nicolaisen and Denise Walker
Wesley Dale Onken, son of Duane and Brenda Onken
Jeremy Joe Orfield, son of Jerry Orfield and Bonnie Orfield
Benito Ortiz Jr., son of Benito Ortiz Sr. and Deloris Ortiz
Maria Yesenia Perez, daughter of Martin and Celia Perez
Robert Steling Ritchie, son of Darwin and Janice Ritchie
Alyssa Nicole Rothmeyer, daughter of Tony and Laura Rothmeyer
Chaz Jae Wessels, son of Jamie Wessels and Lana J. Riggen

Junior class leaders were Joseline Hoffman and Harrison Johnston. The traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” processional and recessional by Edward Elgar with an arrangement by Virginia Radke was performed by Charles Radke and Carson Griffith, longtime Grand Junction and East Greene music educators.

EYE ON GJ SAYS: This is truly an outstanding group of young people. Wes Onken summed things up nicely as he noted the Class of 2012 will be known for many “firsts” and “lasts” that occurred during their years at EG, including first state baseball appearance, first football team that advanced to the state playoffs, first wrestler to participate on the Jefferson-Scranton wrestling team, and the first year to share vocal music with J-S. He also noted the Class of 2012 was the last of EG to participate in jazz band as next year the instrumental program aligns with J-S, and, poignantly, these graduating EG seniors are the last class to “be taught second grade by Mrs. Crandall.”

Congratulations and best wishes to all the graduates. All of EAST GREENE NATION salutes you and welcomes you as alumni of the greater East Greene Community. May you wear the green and white proudly and forever!