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receive diplomas at Summit Academy
Before a packed house Friday night, Summit Academy celebrated the graduation of their second class, the Class of 2006, featuring four girls and two young men. All six have been accepted to college or university study, and all are planning on attending. 
After an opening prayer by Fr. Connelly, pastor of Holy Family parish in Clarkston, and the parish priest of one the graduates, Maria Osborne, and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by Lynn Rehder, principal Annette Wemhoff welcomed the capacity crowd and thanked all for their interest and support. She then introduced class salutatorian, Lauren Wemhoff, who again welcomed and thanked all for coming, mentioning several interesting tidbits about her classmates; then, she specifically mentioned Percy and Edna Roeper for the use of their basement nine years ago in the that first year of Summit’s existence. Lauren also expressed the genuine thanks felt by her class towards all of Summit’s benefactors, noting that their support was vital to both their graduation and the school’s existence.  Following
Lauren, valedictorian Jeannie Goeckner greeted all, noting that “Many seeds
have been planted here at Summit, and that each graduating class will be
a witness to the fruits flowing from our school.” She then commented
that the Class of 2006 had a responsibility to “bear good fruit in return
for all that the school has done for us.” She continued, “We are
now held responsible to ‘pay it forward’ and seize the opportunity by using
the knowledge attained here to better mankind.”
Following an introduction by principal Wemhoff, guest speaker John Keenan, Attorney at Law from Boise, and recently appointed Deputy Attorney General for the state of Idaho by new governor Risch, addressed the class and the audience noting three things he wanted to leave with the graduates. First, he recalled America’s “Innocent until proven guilty” code of law, calling on all to refrain from judging others and being critical of those around us. He urged the graduates to read Holy Scripture daily and say the rosary, demonstrating for the crowd his own well-worn rosary. Finally, he called on them to become leaders in social justice, specifically nothing the one in seven babies who have been aborted in the last several decades and thus who would never attend a graduation ceremony like the one that evening. 
Awards given during the ceremony by Mr. Wren, class advisor and homeroom teacher, included the valedictorian and salutatorian medals given to Jeannie Goeckner and Lauren Wemhoff, with a special note that Maria Osborne had graduated with a high honors GPA of 3.76, while the remaining three graduates all had earned honors status during their four years, with GPAs between 3.5 and 3.75. Other activity awards were handed out as follows: Jeannie Goeckner- 4 years basketball, 4 years drama, 1 year of volleyball, and the Patriot award for the graduate chosen by her class and faculty for her work ethic and her willingness to assist others Maria Osborne- 3 years basketball, 2 years volleyball, and the Excelsior award, also selected by faculty and classmates as the senior who most exemplified the school motto of “Ever Higher” in her exemplification of the four areas of growth stressed by the school Brandon Rehder- 4 years basketball, 4 years knowledge bowl, 1 year drama Stephen Spencer- 4 years basketball, 4 years knowledge bowl, 4 years drama  Lauren
Wemhoff- 4 years basketball, 4 years knowledge bowl, 3 years drama, and
the Congeniality award, selected by classmates and faculty as the most
pleasant and gracious senior
Scholarships Awarded to the Senior Class: Jeannie Goeckner- Farm Bureau--$500, presented by Colleen Chmelik Maria Osborne- Knights of Columbus--$100, Inland Title--$500, LCSC—Freshman--$250, Idaho Promise Scholar--$500, Presidential--$250 Brandon Rehder- Cory Wish Memorial--$300, Elk’s--$25, University of Idaho—Robert E. Lee Promise--$500/year, Business Dean--$1,000 Kelli Shears- BSU—Robert E. Lee Promise--$500, St. Joseph’s College—McCuley Scholarship--$9,500 Lauren Wemhoff- Elk’s--$50, Robert E. Lee Promise--$500, Benedictine College--$7,000, Carroll College--$8,500 The ceremony concluded with the awarding of diplomas by principal Wemhoff and the closing prayer led by Fr. Meinrad, followed by refreshments served by Summit mothers. Then, a senior class power point presentation, prepared by the juniors, was shown.  |
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