Clear Lake graduates take wisdom, memories with them

(Above) Clear Lake graduates tossed their caps in the air as commencement ceremonies concluded. -Reporter photos by Chris Barragy.

by Marianne Gasaway

Clear Lake seniors received their diplomas and awards, in addition to some advice from their peers, during commencement ceremonies held Sunday afternoon.

“It appears that the teachers at CLHS strived to bond with each student, no one is left behind or forgotten.  I can confidently say that there is not one person in this school that would deny a student in need.  It is our choice whether or not we want to take their words, wisdom and memories with us,” Emily Majerczyk told her classmates.

The senior speaker said she considers graduation day to be both joyous and bittersweet.

“After we toss our caps into the air with joy, they will come back down to us.  When the caps fall down to us, this is the bitter part of the bittersweetness of graduation.  It is the realization that this is truly the end of our high school journey.  We will step out of these gymnasium doors into our next chapter, whatever and wherever that may be.”

Majerczyk and classmate Lewis Callaway both noted the closing of their school email accounts was a trigger for a flood of memories.

“I remember seeing the ‘19’ after ‘Callaway’ and thinking about how 2019 was a long time away.  Even though our school accounts are being deleted in just a few short days, our own memories of our education will remain intact.”

Callaway said he recently took “a trip down memory lane,” looking through his soon to be erased high school computer account.  He saw assignments which helped him grow, collaborations with classmates, photos of academic, as well as athletic achievements, and silly stunts.

“The final file I looked at was in the music folder.... There’s one song that unites us, the Lion’s Fight Song.  As I listened I remembered my time as a Lion and I realized how fortunate I was to be able to grow up in Clear Lake.”

Majerczyk said she is most proud of the fact that members of the Class of 2019 are “completely driven individuals.”

“As we walk out of the doors of the gym today, we walk into the next chapter of our lives,” she said.  “Know that you can and will go far in life, but never forget that this is where it began.  This is where we found our voice, and this is where we learned to roar.”

[wlm_nonmember]To read more of this article, please login or sign up for our E-Edition[/wlm_nonmember][wlm_ismember]

Clear Lake Class of 2019 memebrs earn scholarships, awards

Members of the Clear Lake High School seniors were awarded the following individual scholarships and awards:

Mac Adams: Payton Barber Scholarship, Kay Baber Roupe Scholarship (University of Northern Iowa), Distinguished Scholars Award (UNI), Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award (male), Cummings Family Scholarship, Clear Lake Rotary Club Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship, Philip W. Thurtle, Elizabeth P. Thurtle, and Kay E. Sutton Memorial Scholarship, Nancy Martson Memorial Scholarship

Bardha Ahmedi: Globe Gazette STAR Class of 2019 (Social Science)

Olivia Amos: Serving in the Armed Forces (U.S. Army)

Alex Applegate: Progress Club Scholarship, Career Link Scholarship (NIACC)

Ashley Archer: Distinguished Scholars Award (University of Northern Iowa), John S. Latta Jr. Biology Scholarship (UNI), Clear Lake Community School Foundation & Alumni Association Scholarship, Oluf T. Hansen Memorial Scholarship

Carter Backhaus: Cummings Family Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship

Elizabeth Bergan: Clear Lake Lioness Club Service Award, Clear Lake Lions Club Scholarship, Joseph and Ashley Fiddelke Scholarship

Ben Blaha: Timothy Tjaden Memorial Scholarship

Aaron Blum – Forever Scholar (Iowa State University), Globe Gazette STAR Class of 2019 (Art), Clear Lake Arts Center Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship

Elizabeth Brandt: El Sueno Scholarship, Clear Lake Evening Lions Club Scholarship, Clear Lake Lions Club Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship

Braden Byrnes: Dr. Tom & Janis Joslyn Educational Fund Scholarship

Lewis Callaway – Loyal Scholar (Iowa State University), Engineering Merit Scholarship (ISU), Iowa Communication Alliance Scholarship, KIMT Scholastic All-Star, Academic Excellence Banquet Farmer’s State Bank Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship, Kingland Systems Technology & Engineering Scholarship

Erin Carew: Saint Patrick’s Council #7898 Knights of Columbus Scholarship, Julia A. Young Memorial Scholarship

Jacob Chizek: Promise Scholarship (NIACC), Wempen Family Scholarship (NIACC), James & Betty Oleson Scholarship, Cummings Family Scholarship, Oluf T. Hansen Memorial Scholarship, Saint Patrick’s Council #7898 Knights of Columbus Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship, Philip W. Thurtle, Elizabeth P. Thurtle, and Kay E. Sutton Memorial Scholarship

Noan Colby: Music Scholarship (John Brown University), Choir Scholarship (JBU), Shaun Cesar Memorial Scholarship

Devon Conway: Hansen Theatre Achievement Scholarship (Waldorf University)

Nick Currier: Career Link Scholarship (NIACC), Paul & Barbara MacGregor Scholarship (NIACC), Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship

Lily Deets: Promise Scholarship (NIACC), Cummings Family Scholarship

Jonathan Deike: Career Link Scholarship (NIACC), River City Street Rod Scholarship (NIACC)

Ashley DeLong: Academic Scholarship (Wartburg College), Music Scholarship (Wartburg College), “Semper Fidelis” Music Award (U.S. Marine Corps.), Cade Pleggenkuhle Memorial Scholarship

Braxton Doebel: Academic Scholarship (Wartburg College), Athletic Scholarship (Wartburg College), Kyle DeVries Memorial Scholarship

Drew Enke: Distinguished Scholars Award (University of Northern Iowa), Globe Gazette Star Class of 2019 (Male Athlete), Cummings Family Scholarship, Clear Lake Bank & Trust/Ray Hewitt Foundation Scholarship, Clear Lake Evening Lions Club Scholarship, Nancy Martson Memorial Scholarship

Eric Faught – Athletic Scholarship (Upper Iowa University), Distinguished Male Athlete (U.S. Marine Corps.), Mitch Melhus Memorial Scholarship

Will Finn: UNI Academic Award (University of Northern Iowa), Alumni Memorial Scholarship (UNI), Clear Lake Lions Club Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship

Rowan Fread- National Merit Corporation Scholarship, Governor’s Scholar Recognition Award, University of Oklahoma National Merit Finalist Scholarship, North Iowa Oral Surgery Scholarship, Iowa Communication Alliance Scholarship, Globe Gazette Star Class of 2019 (Science), Academic Excellence Banquet CLTel Scholarship, Oluf T. Hansen Memorial Scholarship

Alena Gabrielson: Cummings Family Scholarship, P.E.O. Chapter EA, LE, and NW Scholarship, Ronald B. & Dorothy Harreman Williams Memorial Scholarship

Garrett Gannon: Julia A. Young Memorial Scholarship

Thomas Gray: Career Link Scholarship (NIACC)

Joel Groeneweg: Career Link Scholarship (NIACC), River City Street Rod Scholarship (NIACC), George & Maxine Atkinson Memorial Scholarship

David Guetzlaff: Regents Scholarship (Wartburg College), Visit Day Scholarship (Wartburg College), Meistersinger Music Scholarship (Wartburg College), KIMT Scholastic All-Star, Globe Gazette Star Class of 2019 (Math), Academic Excellence Banquet Clear Lake Bank & Trust/Ray Hewitt Foundation Scholarship, Clear Lake Surf Ballroom & Museum Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship, Gary Meehlhause Memorial Scholarship, Kingland Systems Technology & Engineering Scholarship

Maranda Harrison: Distinguished Scholars Award (University of Northern Iowa), Kristin Tolvstad Lee Scholarship (UNI), Marthe Benzon Alderman Scholarship, Theodore L. Young Memorial Scholarship

Bryan Hillyer: Career Link Scholarship (NIACC), Helen Perkins Thompson Scholarship (NIACC)

Mia Katter: Career Link Scholarship (NIACC), ACT Scholarship (NIACC) Promise Scholarship (NIACC)

Mattie Krause: Academic Scholarship (University of Northwestern – St. Paul), Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award (Female), American Citizenship Award (Iowa Bar Association), Cummings Family Scholarship, Cade Pleggenkuhle Memorial Scholarship, Philip W. Thurtle, Elizabeth P. Thurtle, and Kay E. Sutton Memorial Scholarship, Esther Woodford Ashland Service Award

Bailey Larsen: Link Scholarship (NIACC), Clear Lake Education Association Future Teacher Scholarship, Clear Lake Lions Club Scholarship, Clear Lake Community School Foundation & Alumni Association Scholarship, Clear Lake Rotary Club Scholarship

Ben Larson: Link Scholarship (NIACC)

Sharrell Lee: David G. & Jane Angelo Punke Scholarship (NIACC), Dr. Tom & Janis Joslyn Educational Fund Scholarship

Mallory Leisure: Academic Scholarship (Wartburg College), Music Scholarship (Wartburg College), Distinguished Female Athlete (U.S. Marine Corps.), Clear Lake Community School Foundation & Alumni Association Scholarship, Thomas E. & Janice A. Nelson Scholarship (Community Foundation of NE Iowa)

Landon Lovstad: Robert & Lois Bergland Scholarship (NIACC)

Emily Majerczyk: Promise Scholarship (NIACC), ACT Scholarship (NIACC), Cummings Family Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship, NIACC Foundation Scholarship (Area 2), Philip W. Thurtle, Elizabeth P. Thurtle, and Kay E. Sutton Memorial Scholarship

Macy Mixdorf: Old Gold Scholarship (University of Iowa), AmeriCorps Scholarship, Globe Gazette Star Class of 2019 (Female Athlete), Clear Lake Bank & Trust/Ray Hewitt Foundation Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Steven A. Moeller Memorial Scholarship

Draven Monson: Globe Gazette Star Class of 2019 (Technical)

Katelyn Moore: Distinguished Scholars Award (University of Northern Iowa), Science Symposium Departmental Scholarship (UNI), Anton M. Nielsen Quasi Scholarship (UNI), Paul & Hazel Hant Berggren Scholarship (UNI), Sgt Blaine Mishak Memorial Scholarship

Jenna Nelson: Loyal Scholarship (Iowa State University), Health & Human Performance Development Fund (ISU), Sciences Scholarship (ISU), Clear Lake Evening Lions Club Scholarship

Kaylee Nosbisch: Athletic Scholarship (Buena Vista)

Carter Olk: Career Link Scholarship (NIACC), ACT Scholarship (NIACC), Promise Scholarship (NIACC), Delbert D. & Mary L. Laudner Scholarship (NIACC), Fred Humphrey Accounting Scholarship (NIACC), American Citizenship Award (Iowa Bar Association), Cummings Family Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship, Philip W. Thurtle, Elizabeth P. Thurtle, and Kay E. Sutton Memorial Scholarship

Hailey Pendergrass: Dr. Martha Ann Thomson Barclay Scholarship (NIACC)

Jared Penning: Athletic Scholarship (University of Northern Iowa)

Jacob Petersen – Career Link Scholarship (NIACC), ACT Scholarship (NIACC), Jim & Sue Johnson Scholarship (NIACC), Sukup Manufacturing Scholarship, Lynelle Hunsaker Memorial Scholarship, Theodore L. Young Memorial Scholarship

Chance Poley: Serving in the Armed Forces (U.S. Marine Corp)

Davis Pruisman: Career Link Scholarship (NIACC), ACT Scholarship (NIACC), Dr. John B. & Mary Jane Dixon Scholarship (NIACC)

KaraAnn Reineke – Distinguished Scholars Award (University of Northern Iowa), COE Incoming Freshmen Scholarship (UNI), Globe Gazette Star Class of 2019 (Language), Clear Lake Education Association Future Teacher Scholarship, Clear Lake Rotary Club Scholarship

Natalie Rolling: Career Link Scholarship (NIACC), ACT Scholarship (NIACC), John & Mary Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Scholarship (NIACC), Clear Lake Bank & Trust/Ray Hewitt Foundation Scholarship, Clear Lake Lions Club Scholarship, Mavis Fisher Isaak Memorial Scholarship

Laura Rose: Serving in the Armed Forces (US. Coast Guard)

Kacie Royster: Link Scholarship (NIACC), Cummings Family Scholarship, Clear Lake Evening Lions Club Scholarship, Clear Lake Lions Club Scholarship

Stephen Schnoblen: Saint Patrick’s Council #7898 Knights of Columbus Scholarship

Hope Shaman: Promise Scholarship (Simpson College), Ray Fry Scholarship (Simpson College)

Trevor Smith: ACT Schoarship (NIACC)

Alex Snelling: CTE Scholarship (NIACC), Dr. Tom & Janis Joslyn Educational Fund Scholarship

Tate Storbeck: Presidential Scholarship (University of Northern Iowa), CBA Scholar Award (UNI), Bernie Saggau Award, Scholastic Excellence Award (U.S. Marine Corps), Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, William & Viola Nicholas Memorial Scholarship, Cade Pleggenkuhle Memorial Scholarship

Ben Stroup: Forever Scholarship (Iowa State University), Clear Lake Lions Club Scholarship, Robert F. & Maude H. Furleigh Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship,

Chase Stuver: Athletic Scholarship (Waldorf University), Travel Grant (Waldorf University), Academic Scholarship (Waldorf University)

Bridger Thomse: Globe Gazette Star Class of 2019 (Music)

Katelyn Tofte: Clear Lake Lions Club Scholarship, Blake Lobdell Memorial Scholarship

Brekkin White: Career Link Scholarship (NIACC)

Ryan Whitehurst: Career Link Scholarship (NIACC)

[/wlm_ismember]