Class of 2021 Celebrates Commencement
Picture: Leigh High School Class of 2021 (L to R): Layne Krutz, Alicia Holmberg, Kyleigh Rayback, Alissa Kasik, Rylee Olson, Jose Aguirre, Cassidy Hoffman, Riana Grotelueschen, Kayden Schumacher, Emily Loseke, Madisyn Pelan, Trevor Zulkoski
By: Leigh High School Journalism Staff
The 2021 graduating class of Leigh High School was the first class to ever graduate in the new Leigh High School gym and will hopefully be the first of generations of students to do the same.
12 seniors walked down the aisle in the gym for one last time as the bittersweet moment of commencement was held.
The class of 2021 has chosen their flower to be the white rose. The class colors are black and gold. “Chase your dreams, but always know the roads that will lead you home again” by Tim McGraw is the class motto. Finally, the class chose two class songs: “Long Live” by Taylor Swift and “Photograph” by Nickelback.
Emily Loseke and Cassidy Hoffman had the highest and second-highest GPA in the class, and were named Valedictorian and Salutatorian respectively.
The ceremony started at 6 pm and visitors were welcomed by the junior class ushers, Natalie Brabec, Makenna Held, Kanyon Held, and Kennedy Settje. It began with a class highlight and memory video by Rylee Olson. The seniors then walked down the aisle to “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the Clarkson-Leigh band.
Class Salutatorian Cassidy Hoffman said a welcome speech and then awards and scholarships were presented.
Next was the presentation of the flowers. Cindy Settje played “Threads of Love” while the seniors presented their parents with a rose.
Emily Loseke, Valedictorian, gave her speech, and then it was the time everyone had been waiting for. The diplomas were awarded by Stephanie Petersen, Superintendent, and Kamin Held, Board of Education President. They were assisted by high school principal Troy Holmberg and Board of Education Vice-President, Ryan Hoffman
After the seniors all received their diplomas, the time had come. Each moved their tassel to the opposite side. Alissa Kasik gave the closing remarks and words of thanks, and the seniors proceeded out of the gym as the band played “Fanfare and Recessional,” feeling the jubilation of being a Leigh High School graduate.
Congratulations to the Class of 2021, and best of luck in your future endeavors!
The scholarships received by each of the graduates are as follows:
Riana Grotelueschen: Northwest Missouri State University Scholar Green and White Advantage Scholarship
Alternate to: Nick Wieseler Memorial Scholarship, Leigh Fire Department Scholarship, Rick Charipar Memorial Scholarship
Cassidy Hoffman: University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Regents Scholarship, Sons of the American Legion, Lavern Went Memorial, Citizen’s State Bank, Leigh Fire Department, Leigh American Legion, WhiteTail LLC, Patriot Youth Advisory Scholarship
Alternate to: Paul Hollatz Memorial, Leigh Community Club, Leigh Alumni Association
Alicia Holmberg: Central Community College Assessment Advantage Scholarship, Music Scholarship, Drama Scholarship, Committed to Your Success Scholarship, Transition Advantage Scholarship, University of Nebraska-Omaha Faculty Scholarship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Husker Study and Stay Scholar, Loup Power District Scholarship, Leigh Education Association Scholarship
Alternate to: Jan Fuhr Memorial Scholarship
Alissa Kasik: Northeast Community College Dean’s Scholarship, Terri Wietfeld Memorial Scholarship, John and Michele Hollatz Scholarship, Patriot Booster Club Scholarship, Leigh Rescue Unit Scholarship, Krupka/Cada Scholarship, Aaron Cech Memorial Scholarship, American Legion Auxiliary Irene Gobler Memorial Scholarship, Patriot Youth Advisory Scholarship, Wade Wendt Memorial Scholarship, Leigh FFA Chapter Scholarship, Columbus Community Hospital Student Scholarship
Layne Krutz: Susan T. Buffett Scholarship, Johnny Baxter Carriage House Foundation Scholarship
Emily Loseke: Concordia University President’s Scholarship, Leigh Community Club Scholarship, Jay Blessen Memorial Scholarship, Leigh Alumni Association Scholarship, FEVB Van Buren Scholarship, Madison County Bank Scholarship, Nebraska American Legion Auxiliary Robert Maria Stretch Scholarship, Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association Scholarship, Makenna’s Ray of Hope Scholarship, Patriot Youth Advisory Scholarship, Lyle Hamernik Memorial Scholarship, Take Heart Scholarship
Alternate to: Leigh Education Association Lavern Went Memorial, Vickie Wietfeld Memorial, Irene Gobler American Legion Auxiliary, Leigh American Legion
Rylee Olson: Central Community College New Business & Technology Scholarship, Jan Fuhr Memorial Scholarship, Vickie Wietfeld Memorial Scholarship, Lisa Settje Kuta Memorial Scholarship, Sara Reichmuth Memorial Scholarship
Alternate to: Leigh Rescue Unit scholarship
Madisyn Pelan: Northeast Community College President’s Early Entry Scholarship, Jim & Helen Evans Memorial Scholarship, Aaron Cech Memorial Scholarship
Alternate to: Lisa Settje Kuta Memorial Scholarship, Sara Reichmuth Memorial Scholarship
Kayden Schumacher: Southeast Community College Academic Excellence Scholarship, Southeast Community College Volleyball Scholarship, Paul Hollatz Memorial Scholarship, Patriot Youth Advisory Scholarship
Alternate to: Terri Wietfeld Memorial, Jay Blessen Memorial, Citizen’s State Bank, Aaron Cech Memorial, Lyle Hamernik Memorial Scholarship
Trevor Zulkoski: Nick Wieseler Memorial Scholarship, Patriot Booster Club Scholarship, Cooperative Supply Scholarship, Rich Charipar Memorial Scholarship, Leigh Alumni Scholarship, KTIC Russ Herman Memorial Scholarship, Whitetail LLC Scholarship, Wade Wendt Memorial Scholarship, Taylor Went Memorial Scholarship, Mitchell Equipment Scholarship, Andrew Goodman Iowa-Nebraska Dealers Association Scholarship
Alternate to: Sons of the Legion Scholarship