Hundreds celebrate NHS graduation ceremony

Sunday marked an important milestone for Newton High School’s class of 2017. Diplomas were handed out at the school’s 142nd annual commencement, and now the young adults enter what is colloquially known as the “real world.”

Nearly 150 students graduated from NHS this year. It was one of the smallest graduating classes from Newton since the 1940s, said Principal Bill Peters, but the class of 2017 is the second highest scholarship recipient group in school history. More than $2.1 million in scholarships were awarded.

The ceremony, which was originally planned for Maytag Park, commenced in the high school gym due to weather. The gym was filled with hundreds of cheering friends and family members.

Commencement speaker Emily Mehman, who was one of seven class valedictorians, delivered a speech called “Moments to Remember.”

“We would not be where we are today without our families, our friends and our teachers,” Mehman said. “Thank you for pushing us to succeed while also helping us through the bad times and keeping in check during the good times.”

The varsity concert choir performed two songs at the event, and the NHS combined bands provided the processional and recessional music.

Members of the NCSD School Board and Superintendent Bob Callaghan were also present. Callaghan introduced class president Emily Miller, who gave a speech titled “New Tomorrows.”

Miller, who was another valedictorian, spoke about the class motto: “Each of us has different talents, different dreams, different destinations, but we all have the power to make a new tomorrow.”

Among other things, the class of 2017 will be remembered as the class that took Newton boys basketball to the state tournament for the first time since 1992, Miller said.

The basketball team’s success was a collective effort. Teachers, coaches, managers and community members supported the squad on its path to the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Sixty-five students were named to the honor roll with grade point average 3.0 or above. Class valedictorians were Courtney Jacobsen, Emily Mehman, Emily Miller, Sarah Prendergast, Taylor Shipley, Katherine Thorpe and Joshua Ventling.

After diplomas were handed to each member of the class of 2017, Katherine Thorpe read a poem by C.W. Longenecker called “The Victor.”

Principal Peters, who is a 1983 graduate of NHS, commended the 2017 graduates for their kindness. He said the United States could learn a lesson from Newton students, who staged a peaceful walkout of the school earlier this year. NHS students didn’t stoop to name-calling and acts of violence like many others did, Peters said.

Peters talked about school groups such as Empower Tanzania and other ways students help such as Red Pride Service Day.

Combined with the junior class at NHS, Newton seniors earned more than 2,500 college credits.

“Literally thousands and thousands of dollars were saved because these kids took the initiative to take those classes,” Peters said.

More than 76 percent of the class of 2017 will attend college or post-secondary training. Some will head straight to the workforce. Four will serve in the military.

Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com