Commencement begins this weekend for area high schools

Graduation is only a few days away for Hillsboro, Goessel, Marion, Centre and Canton-Galva high schools. Commencement exercises at Peabody-Burns High School are scheduled for May 22.

School officials at most of the high schools said they have no major changes planned for graduation, except in Hillsboro.

According to Hillsboro High School officials, the plan is to hold commencement exercises at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at Joel H. Wiens Stadium.

In case of bad weather, the ceremony will be moved into Robert C. Brown Gymnasium at the high school.

Another change is the featured speaker. Most years, students contribute speeches, but this year Jim Robb, HHS Ameri?can History and Government teacher, was asked to fill that honor by the senior class, which chose the Gerber daisy as its flower.

Robb, who is leaving HHS at the end of this year, said he has been in education for 37 years.

?I was a student teacher, substitute and did some coaching,? he said.

Robb also spent five years teaching at a private college and public schools before spending the majority of his career at Hillsboro High School.

?I have been at Hillsboro for 17 years,? he said.

Are students different?

?Kids are kids,? Robb said about whether today?s students are different from those he taught three decades before.

?Technology has made things happen faster,? he said. ?The need for cell phones and computers is also another change.?

In some ways, Robb said he thinks today?s students are pulled in many more directions than those years earlier.

?I think there are a lot of demands on their time and I think they are conditioned to see education as way of occupation instead of something that makes them well-rounded,? he said.

Even though Robb will no longer be a teacher at Hillsboro, he hopes to continue in education.

?Maybe in a more specified field?high risk or special education,? he said.

One of the reasons for his decision to resign from HHS is because he wants to be closer to home.

?I live in Moundridge and have driven a number of years here,? he said.

Robb and wife Beaty have two adult children, Adam, 28, and Patrick, 25.

Robb said Hillsboro is a great place to teach.

?I hate to walk away and leave some great friends,? he said. ?When I walk out the door for the last time, it will be a hard thing to do. I have lots of love for this place.?

Goessel High School

Students at GHS will graduate at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14, in the school gymnasium.

Chad Lindeman, Goessel Jr. High?s social studies teacher, is the speaker and GHS Principal Mark Grout will present the 23 students for graduation.

Marion High School

Three area high schools will hold graduation Sunday, May 15.

Marion High School?s commencement exercises begin at 4 p.m. in the Sports and Aquatic Center. A school official said this is the third year the senior class will use that facility.

About 50 students are expected to graduate and the speakers have not yet been determined, but will be the valedictorian and salutatorian.

The senior motto is: ?As each of us follows our path in life, we will remember these years. We will remember our friends, the laughter and the pain. Our smiles reflect the memories locked deep within our hearts. Future dreams shine like bright stars against distant nights. We have grown so much, and yet, we will grow forever.?

The class color is teal and silver and they have chosen a blue rose as their graduation flower.

Parents and other friends and relatives are also encouraged to attend the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

Canton-Galva and Centre

Both Canton-Galva High and Centre high schools will begin graduation ceremonies at 2 p.m. May 15 in their respective gymnasiums.

At Canton-Galva, Kathy Becker, a former teacher now living in Newton, will deliver the commencement address to 22 graduating seniors.

This year?s motto for the senior class is: ?If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it,? by William A. Word.

Centre High School?s speaker is senior Cole Svoboda, who will talk to his graduating class of 20.

In addition to receiving their diplomas, the seniors and their guests will be treated to a video of their children, starting in kindergarten. A slide show presentation is also planned and baby pictures of the seniors will be shown.

Peabody-Burns High School

Twenty-nine students will graduate from Peabody-Burns High School at 4 p.m. May 22 in Brown Gymnasium.

Commencement speakers include Jenipher Huls, valedictorian, and Sheldon Wiebe, salutatorian.

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