Pacelli, Austin seniors to graduate this week
Published 8:44 am Tuesday, June 6, 2017
- Ian Bearden fixes the tassle on Tristen Bauer’s cap during Austin’s commencement in Knowlton Auditorium last year. Herald file photo
Pacelli Catholic High School and Austin High School will both say goodbye to graduating seniors this week. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for both events — Pacelli on Wednesday and AHS on Friday.
Pacelli High School
Pacelli’s commencement will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Fourteen students will graduate.
The ceremony will open with the processional of Fourth Degree Knights, graduates, faculty and staff, school board, trustees, administration and clergy. President Jean McDermott will offer the welcome and prayer.
Heidi Becker will be the keynote speaker for the event. Graduating senior Nathan Drees will give the salutatorian address, while Neftali Lopez will give the valedictorian address.
Readings will be provided by Cole Ethen and Francisco Rosas. Laura Marreel will deliver the principal’s address.
Alpha/Omega Awards will also be presented, recognizing students who have spent their entire educational career at Pacelli, and Pacelli alumni who now teach at Pacelli.
The Pacelli High School choir, under the direction of Ben Mahlke, will provide music. Father James Steffes will offer the blessing and closing prayer.
Juncheng “Peter” Wang is the last to walk down the isle of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church as Pacelli commencement got underway last year. Herald file photo
Austin High School
Austin High School will bid farewell to 246 seniors.
Superintendent Dave Krenz will offer welcome and Student Council President Christina Hernandez will lead the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
There will be several commencement speakers who will offer short comments, including Kaitlyn Schammel, Madison Klein, Miranda Bergemann, Paige Raymond, Grace Thoen, Nora Curtis, Brooke Pazurek, Livia Dyke, Jekap Omod, Christine Nelson and Trent Brown.
Assistant principals Andrea Malo and Stacy Schultz will present distinguished graduates, while Principal Katie Baskin will present the senior class.
Presenting diploma’s will be school board Chairwoman Angie Goetz, as well as members Peggy Young, Don Leathers, Carolyn Dube, Don Fox and Kathy Green.
The Austin High School Orchestra, under the direction of Gene Schott, and the Austin High School Concert Choir, under the direction of Brian Johnson, will perform.
