Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, May 21, 2009

Jeff INLOES as named valedictorian and Zeph FERNANDEZ was named salutatorian when the Mount Ayr Community high school class of 2009 held commencement ceremonies Sunday afternoon.

A total of 52 students were graduated with the class of 2009 in a ceremony before a large crowd in the Mount Ayr Community high school gymnasium.

INLOES, son of David and Beverly INLOES of Kellerton, and FERNANDEZ, daughter of Dan and Rodilla FERNANDEZ of Tingley, each gave speeches for the graduation ceremony.

In addition to the top two students, eight others were named to the top 10 for the graduating class. They included Jennifer ANGUS, Alysha HINZ, Chelsey HOSFIELD, Jordan LARSEN, Tess MYER, Sheena O'NEIL, Cory ROBERTS and Daniel SHOWALTER.

Lee WHITSON was the only senior with perfect attendance for the year.

Salutatorian Zeph FERNANDEZ told the class that she hoped to speak to the class as a dreamer in her commencement address.

Fill your hearts with thoughts, hopes, dreams, love and all we believe in," she said. "What we hold dearly in our hearts can't be taken away from us."

Nothing is going to happen, however, if the class waits around, she noted. "We have to help make our dreams come true and put our hope into action," she said.

"People may think of graduating seniors are young, inexperienced and naive, but sometimes the most inexperienced people are the most honest," she said.

FERNANDEZ told the class that it was impossible to dream too much and that class members should not let people tell them what they can't achieve.

Standing on a strong base of faith, support, prayers, and love from their family and friends, she challenged the class to not be afraid to dream for themselves and for those who cannot dream.

"I'm proud to say, we made it, we made it, me made it," she said.

"God loves you and there is nothing you can do about it," she said. "My prayer is that He will continue to guide each one of us, bless those we love and bless our dreams," FERNANDEZ said.

In his commencement address, valedictorian Jeff INLOES said he was following the pattern of some graduation talks he had already heard this year -- thank those who had helped the class to be who they are, share some advice and offer a challenge.

He thanked parents, family, teachers, staff, administrators and guests present for their support for the class of 2009.

When it came to sharing advice, he talked about som advice tht he had had been given over the past weeks, including that "if opportunity isn't knocking then start buildingg a door" and to "live life with no regrets," one a brother had shared in a similar speech two years ago.

He questioned on e piece of advice he had received when he was told to enjoy high school because these were the best days of his life.

"We have enjoyed our years here and have tons of awesome memories, but if all our good days are behind us now, what do we have to look forward to?" he asked.

If this statement is true then the commencement ceremony should be more like a funeral than a celebration and obviously this is not the case, he noted.

"Don't let your high school days be the best days of your life," he challenged the class. "Don't look at today as the climax of achievement in your life or the highlight of your life. Plan to achieve something greater than what you have done here."

He called on the class to cherish the memories of high school but not to live in them.

"Enjoy your high school experiences, but don't let them be what defines your life and character," he said.

The Mount Ayr Community high school band and choir presented music for the ceremony. Superintendent Russ REITER introduced the speakers and gave a short talk. High school principal Ken HARRISON presented the senior class and board president Larry GILES presented the diplomas.

Class motto was "Though our time has come and gone, our legacy will live on."

Class colors were red, black and white and the class flowers were red and white roses.

Mount Ayr Community high school graduates included:

Adler Mason ADAMS, Tara Marie ADAMS, Jennifer Lynn ANGUS, Breann Marie ARENDS, Rebekah Diane BAKER, Ethan Daniel BAKER, Austin Russell BOLLES, Chelsey Ray BROWN, Emily Lynn CAMPBELL, Wesley Douglas CAMPBELL, Leah Rae CLYMER, Ashley Jean Joyce CONLEY, Bridget LeAnn DOWDELL, Dusty Jay DRAKE, Sonya Rae ELY, Maria Zephania Mutuc FERNANDEZ, Allison Marie FOOKEN, Ashlie Ann GREENE, Shayna Tyler GREENE, Mitchell Lee GROSE, Shea Nichole HALL, Alysha Anne HINZ, Cassady James HOSFIELD, Chelsey Nichole HOSFIELD, Jeffrey Adam INLOES, Kurt Zachary LARSEN, Jordan William LARSEN, Cody Donovan LEONARD, Daniel Victor LEONARD, Chelsea Berneice LILIENTHAl, Blake Kendall MICHELSEN, Tessia Irene MYER, Craig Michael O'BRIEN, Sheena Lee O'NEIL, Kenny Joe PAXSON, Garrett Scott K. PETERSON, Colton Bruce QUICK, Shelby Danille Jillian REGER, Cory William ROBERTS, Megan Renae ROBERTS, Zachary James ROBINSON, Daniel Edward SHOWALTER, Jordan Clay STEWART, Lee Michael THOMPSON, Ethan Donn WAMBOLD, Amelia Michelle WHITE, Lee Kenneth WHITSON and Cameron John E. WOODY.

Graduates not present for the ceremony included Tia Nicole BROWN, Cody Clinton CRAVEN, Andrew Paul KNAPP and Christopher James Leon MILLER.

Photographs courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2012