26 graduate from Littlefork-Big Falls School Friday
Twenty-six orange-and-black-clad seniors took their final trip through the Littlefork-Big Falls School as students Friday, and would leave the building alumni.
“As these graduates look onto the next phase of their lives, they will look back fondly and proudly at their years at L-BF,” said Superintendent Fred Seybert. “These years have made them who they are today. However, they are still works in progress. But then again, aren’t we all?”
He wished them luck as they continue to become productive members of society. He said he had confidence their years at L-BF have equipped them to handle most any situation that would arise in their lives. He noted that four members of the class will be entering the military, and others will go on to college and jobs.
Valedictorian Nichole Rom commended her fellow graduates for the hard work they have been putting into school for the last 13 years.
“It sees so surreal those chairs you’re all sitting in now, the band chairs back there, aren’t for us tonight.” Rom told the crowd. Addressing the fellow graduates seated at front, she said, “ These chairs, it took us 13 years to claim them, but they are ours tonight.”
Salutatorian Cody Pfeifer made a prediction. “They have worked hard to get to this point and will succeed in life if they continue the way I have come to know them.”
He said the class motto of, “We barely get by, but have the best times and hope it never ends” fits the group perfectly. He recounted some of the good times and bad times the two-dozen students have had together over the past 13 years, but ultimately said they were a great group of friends.
ISD 362 Board Chair John Mastin has been serving the board for 40 years. He said this was a special graduation because his youngest son was graduating with the class of 2011. Mastin and his son, Garrett, were both moved to tears as father handed son his diploma with a congratulatory hug replacing the typical handshake.
The familial relationship was discussed by nearly all of the speakers. This group of graduates and the school teachers and staff likened themselves to a big family. And the student speakers both thanked their families for the assistance provided in raising the graduates to adulthood. Students thanked their parents and special friends and family members with flowers just before receiving the diplomas.
Rom told the underclassmen and up-and-coming seniors that the time in high school was precious and told them they should enjoy the time they have left at L-BF.
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