Five Farmington seniors graduate twice

FARMINGTON — Five Farmington High School seniors will graduate Sunday for the second time this month.

Seniors Whitney Gerber, Danielle Goldsmith, Kathleen (Kathy) Koppeis, Rebekah Loyd and Victoria (Tori) Scism all completed their Associate of Arts degree from MAC while finishing their junior and senior years in high school. The girls all agreed it was tough to complete both at the same time, but said it was worth it in the end.

In an interview recently the group all said it was tough to still participate in school activities while finishing up MAC and high school. They were at MAC most of the day and said they felt like they missed part of their senior year and memories with their friends. However, they all agreed the accomplishment was worth it in the end.

“The hardest part of senior year was not being here,” said Goldsmith. “We missed out on homecoming activities and dressing up for spirit day.” She was voted homecoming queen but didn’t think she would be chosen because she wasn’t at school very much. 

Gerber added it was hard to keep up with stuff going on in school when she was gone most of the time. 

Loyd said people thought she was a year older because no one saw her around school very much. Koppeis and Scism said people thought they moved to another school because they weren’t around.

“I wanted to do the 42-hour general education and when I was planning my schedule I was going to have to take dual credit classes. High school classes were boring and I didn’t think it was advanced enough,” said Loyd. She plans to attend William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., and study history. She is also in the Oxbridge Honor Program.

Scism said she wanted to do something more and get more than a high school diploma. “I wanted to challenge myself,” said Scism. She plans to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia and work toward a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology.

College Now Director Andrea Hodges said 46 students are enrolled in the College Now program and 30 of them are seniors. She added the program assists students with school and helps them get some college completed before they leave high school.

The graduating seniors will enter the Farmington Civic Center beginning around 2 p.m. to “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the Farmington High School Band directed by Kurt Bauche.

Montana Patterson, student council president, will welcome everyone following the National Anthem and Presentation of Colors by the Farmington High School band and the AFJRROTC color guard.

Senior Class President Abigale Berry will give the senior challenge to the incoming senior class. Kelly Peterson, junior class president, will respond to the challenge.

The crowd will be treated to the sounds of the senior class songs … “For Good” sung by the A Cappella choir, and “I Will Never Pass This Way Again” performed by the men of the choiraliers under the direction of Sue Bauche, choir director.

Guest speaker Tim Banger, instructor of Communication Arts at FHS, will be the guest speaker. Linda Huffman, registrar at Mineral Area College, will deliver the MAC presentations..

Farmington High School Principal Matt Ruble will present the Knight of the Year award. He will also name the top 10 students of the class of 2010.

Interim Superintendent Jerome Watson will present the Valedictorian, Lauren Choate, and Co-Salutatorians Courtney and Whitney Heuring. Choate will then give a speech.

Keven Harrington, school board member, and David Buerck, vice president of the school board, will hand out diplomas and medals.

Following the presentation of diplomas and medals, the Farmington High School Band will accompany the students in the school song.

Faculty participating in the graduation will be wearing the cap and gown of the college where they graduated and colors indicating the field of study from which they received their degree.

If students want formal pictures done they should be at the school at 11 a.m. Sunday. Otherwise, students are to be at the school no later than 12:30 p.m.

Farmington High School will have 271 students graduate this year.

For more on the College Now program vist the Farmington School District website at www.farmington.k12.mo.us and click on the buildings link and select the high school. There is no login required and the information may be viewed as a guest.

Maridee Lawson is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 756-8927 or mlawson@farmingtonpressonline.com.