Farewell Class of 2012 Laura Matuszewska and Ashley Wamboldt deliver their valedictorian speech to an eager audience. - Olivia Czarnecki Advertising Saturday, May 26, 2012 By Shelby Behr Last Thursday, May 24th, at seven o’clock, Dakota Ridge said goodbye to the senior class of 2012. The heartfelt ceremony was held at Comfort Dental Amphitheatre on a clear, and thankfully, not rainy day. The stadium began to fill up before seven, and the Dakota Ridge High School Symphonic Band and Orchestra began the festivities with the processional. The Dakota Ridge Choir sang the national anthem and Dr. Jim Jelinek began the evening by noting the special recognitions that seniors received including: National Honor Society, honor graduates, scholarship recipients, and special awards. Shawn Sweeney, senior class president, and Madeline Kincade, senior class vice president, then welcomed the graduates. They spoke of the monumental events the senior class had been through this year, including finding Mr. Lenling’s escaped python. The introduction of the salutatorians, Katherine Anctil and Andrew Nietes, were followed by the honoring of this year's valedictorians, Laura Matuszewska and Ashley Wamboldt. They began their speech with a syllogism, stating that they became valedictorians by spending all of their time studying instead of interacting with people; therefore, their speech may be a little awkward. However, their speech was not awkward at all and was well received by the audience. Student speakers, Amy Franks and Morgan Weeks, followed with an equally inspiring speech. The Dakota Ridge Choir sang “Flying Free,” under the direction of Ms. Wootten and help from the flutist, Alexandra Crowley and accompanist, Marvel Dow. The faculty address was presented by Mr. Peter Dunda this year, and he began by stating that he did not remember who did his faculty address as a student, but he did remember the feeling that he had at his own graduation. After passing along his advice to the seniors and reminding them that they have their whole lives ahead of them and a chance to start with a blank slate, Dunda expressed his gratitude for being picked as faculty speaker. Finally, with anticipation from the audience, Dr. Jelinek, Mr. Dan Cohan, the community superintendent, and Ms. Paula Noonan recognized the class of 2012. After all of the graduates crossed the stage to wild cheers from family and friends, Michelle Isbester, student body president, presented her final thoughts and farewell. Dylan Hoffman, a senior who usually leads the “roller coaster” ritual that is performed at Dakota Ridge basketball games to promote school spirit, spontaneously rose to the stage and led the senior class one last time through the undulating hand motions of an amusement ride.  Graduation caps flew up in the air as a last show of enthusiasm. As the recessional played, the new graduates exited and were met by their teary-eyed parents, guardians, family, and friends. “Graduation is a bittersweet memory that I will never forget,” Jordan Romero stated, “It’s a time to look back and receive your diploma for all the hard work and effort you’ve put through. Everyone with you will remember you; everyone with you will be successful, but most importantly, everyone with you is there from the support of family, friends, and the wonderful teachers at Dakota Ridge! I wouldn’t change my experience in high school or graduation for anything. They have made it an amazing milestone.”      As hard as it was to say goodbye to the Class of 2012, the memories that were shared will be cherished by many. Their accomplishments and shared experiences will bond them for years to come.

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