Chinook Class of 2015 prepares to face the future

Every generation has been criticized by previous generations, but they all produce excellent people who help society.

That's what Laura Kellam told graduates of Chinook High School on Sunday afternoon, when, Kellam estimated, "half of the town of Chinook is here."

Kellam, a Chinook High School teacher, told the 39 graduates a commencement ceremonies that, in the 1950s, when students were intrigued with the swiveling hips of Elvis Presley, older people were predicting the generation would be of no value to society.

But that generation produced such greats at Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight, track star Wilma Rudolph, scientist Stephen Hawking and presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush.

That's happened to every generation since, she said.

When she hears people bad-mouthing today's teenagers, she is certain they are wrong.

This generation of Chinook students, she said, will go on to become cattle farmers, teachers, artists and more, she said.

There is so much potential "I think this gymnasium is going to burst," she told the graduates, friends and parents.

Co-valedictorians Stella Rigg, Mariah Swank and Hannah Weber gave a combined valedictory address, praising their class and its spirit.

"Our class has always been successful because it had always set goals high and worked hard to reach them."

The class would be successful throughout life, they predicted, "as long as you have good friends by your side."

Then in unison, they shouted out "Go Beeters."

School Superintendent Jay Eslick said he was especially proud of the class.

"I love them," he said.

The Chinook graduates were: Jocelyn Berger; William (Flint) Brewer; Tonii Farmer; Elizabeth Finley; Olivia Finley; Jenna Fox; Gavin Gunderson; Gage Haugen; Matthew Hodgson; Leslie Hoskinson; Justin Kellam; Brittney Larmore; Wyatt Lechner; Seth Lekang; Jamie Lowham; Vinnessa Lundstrom; Cody McCracken; Jesse McDowell; Jace McMaster; Dariane Mitchell; Troy Mord; Ghia Mulonet; Katelyn Neibauer; Britney Nelson; Tanner Ramberg; Thomas Reid; Stella Rigg; Travis Roth; Zachary Schellin; Lane Seymour; Adrianna Standiford; Jordan Surber; Mariah Swank; Krista-Linn Swett; Carol Warburton; Shelbie Warburton; Hannah Weber; MaKayla Wilke, and Garrison Willman.