HTC graduates ready for next chapter

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BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC EDITOR

FORT MADISON - If nautical nonsense be somethin' you wish, Holy Trinity Catholic senior Ben Tinguely wants to talk with you.

Tinguely, the 2017 HTC valedictorian, used the cult cartoon and its characters to sum up the feelings he shares with his fellow classmates at Sunday's graduation ceremony where 37 seniors said good-bye to their stomping grounds and begin making new tracks in their respective futures.

Danielle Scheetz, the senior's class president, welcomed those in attendance and charged her classmates with keeping high school in their minds and hearts but their eyes to the future.

"Just a few short years ago we were walking through those doors and now we are leaving as confident young men and women. Some may say it's just high school, but once we receive our diplomas there is no going back. As we say good-bye to the first 18 years, we all welcome the opportunities the future has in store.

After some brief comments and humorous recollections of the year past by Principal Michael Sheerin, the seniors walked across the stage to applause and then to their families in the audience before returning to their chairs for the processional.

Sheerin remembered fondly the energy and organization of the seniors as they pushed the administration for open campus and the ability to wear flip-flops to class.

"It is the end of all that is holy at Holy Trinity Catholic," Sheerin joked with the crowd.

The students came across and each received their diploma, a wooden cross, a flower, and a warm hand shake or hug from members of the administration. Senior Jack Stinson, Jr., standing roughly 6'6" tall bear hugged Sheerin and carried him across the stage.

"I was either going to carry him or him carry me. I think this was best," Sheerin told the crowd.

Tinguely first thanked those in attendance for providing the grads with loving families, good health, a faith-based education, and the ability to spend time together.

Then he called upon Spongebob Squarepants as a role model. He said the cartoon packs life lessons in a package of humor and simplicity.

"One of the lessons I got from Spongebob is that you never really know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory," Tinguely told the students. "Meaning we must cherish each and every moment of our life. High school's in the past. We will never have to pack and unpack our lockers again. We will never walk into these HTC classrooms again. We will no longer be able to say, 'See ya tomorrow'. We will never again cheer obnoxiously in our tight fit costumes, which we did at state volleyball every year."

But he said the students need to remember how lucky they are to live in America and how fortunate they have been living in the circumstance that allowed them to succeed at HTC and to carry that forward in their futures.

"We need to remember how lucky we are to be living in this great country with the many freedoms we have," he said. "Our class is filled with different types of people with opposing opinions and ideas."

Lastly, he said, Spongebob teaches us to never be ashamed of who we are. He then challenged the class to embrace who they are and then asked the class to stand up, turn to the audience and shout, "I'm ugly and I'm proud." They all did.

After the ceremony Tinguely said he plans on majoring in engineering and is looking at Iowa State University.

"You know how I said in my speech that we're extremely lucky, I meant that. We were extremely lucky that our parents chose to bring us here to HTC. We all would agree that we're not going to be left out. That we're prepared for college and our futures and I've enjoyed my time here at HTC."

2017 Valedictorian Ben Tinguely, left, celebrates with fellow seniors Bailey Merschman, Nick Pothitakis and Ali Randolph after the four graduated on Sunday. Photo by Chuck Vandenberg/PCC.

The graduating class turns to the audience and professes their pride in being ugly. Photo by Chuck Vandenberg/PCC.

HTC graduate Jack Stinson, Jr., carries Principal Michael Sheerin across the stage in a moment of humor after Stinson received his diploma Sunday. Photo by Chuck Vandenberg/PCC.

HTC graduate Thinh Le displays his diploma with pride on Sunday after ceremonies at the HTC gymnasium. Photo by Chuck Vandenberg/PCC.

 

 

 

 

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2017, children, community, Graduates, Holy Trinity Catholic High School, htc, kids, seniors

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