Return to Archived Stories

The Class of 2001 is the smallest class since 1993, when 78 seniors graduated.

Nathan Martinson receives congratulations from superintendent Howard Caldwell at Sunday's graduation.

Valedictorian Jamie Teicher and salutatorian Cyndi Bollman gave the commencement address. Mixing serious comments with humorous ones, they reminded their classmates to enjoy their graduation day and remember their school years.

"For the past four years, we have watched friends and family graduate," said Teicher. "Now it is our turn. We are the Class of 2001."

Teicher and Bollman listed the top 10 lessons they had learned during their schooling. They said the number one lesson was the importance of the people who had been closest to them.

The band performed the piece "Ireland: Of Legend and Lore." Band members surprised the audience with a rendition of the pep band favorite, "Louie, Louie," while four graduates danced in their caps and gowns in the middle of the gym floor.

The pops choir performed "Seasons of Love" from the musical "Rent." Ginni Lahr, Jesse Neu, and Amy Buermann were soloists. The high school mixed choir performed "Promise," with solos coming from Sarah Brauchler, Andy Jones, and Trista Dukowitz.

Dean Hanson, president of the Paynesville Citizen's Scholarship Foundation, awarded fifty-three scholarships to the graduates, totalling $19,543. Hanson said this was the first year that everyone who applied for a scholarship received one. (See separate list on this page.)

High school principal John Janotta recognized two students for their attendance. Katrina Orbeck has had perfect attendance throughout high school and Jana Zumwalde has only missed one day of school in 12 years.