By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – After a last-minute delay due to the devastating straight-line winds that tore through Chester just prior to the original graduation ceremony Thursday May 19th, Chester Grade School was able to hold a rescheduled graduation ceremony Sunday May 22 at 7:00 p.m.
CGS Valedictorian Erin Ann Liefer presents her “Farewell Address” Sunday May 22 at the 2022 Chester Grade School Graduation. Liefer was the Top CGS 8th Grade Student academically with a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average earning her the title of Valedictorian. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Grade School 8th Grader, Addison Gottschammer, gives her “Welcome Address” at the 2022 CGS Graduation Ceremony Sunday May 22. Gottschammer earned the honor by being the second highest Academic Honor Student in the Class of 2022. As Salutatorian she was given the honor of welcoming classmates and guests to the graduation ceremony. Jim Beers Photo
CGS Valedictorian Erin Liefer and Salutatorian Addison Gottschammer pose for a photo prior to graduation. Jim Beers Photo
CGS Principal, Bill Grafton said, “The gym was about a third filled when the storm struck on Thursday and we had to make a decision to cancel graduation at the last minute. With power lines and trees down all over town, it was a very dangerous situation. 8th Graders, parents and other guests were unable to safely get to Colbert Gym for the ceremony.”
The alternative turned out to be great, however, as temperatures dropped and skies cleared for the weekend and the gym was very comfortable for the 35-minure commencement ceremony.
CGS 2022 Marshalls pose for a photo prior to graduation Sunday May 22. Pictured are Brylee Hagene, Camdynn Quillman, Logan Brace, and Zane Eggemeyer. Marshalls are the Top-4 academic honor students in the 7th Grade Class OF 2023. Jim Beers Photo
Graduation candidates gathered at 6:15 p.m. in Juergens Gymnasium for the taking of the traditional class picture as guests awaited the arrival of their favorite 8th Graders in Colbert Gymnasium for the processional which began at precisely 7 p.m.
It was an all-male cast of dignitaries at the 2022 Chester Grade School Graduation Sunday May 22. (Left to right): Board of Education Secretary, Charles Fricke, Board of Education Member, Lorin Mott, Superintendent Brian Pasero, Tim Blair, CGS Assistant Principal, and Bill Grafton, CGS Principal. Jim Beers Photo
Sue Colonel and her Chester Grade School Junior High Band played “Pomp and Circumstance” for the Processional as the 80 students entered the gym from the Dr. James F. Sharp Cafeteria at CHS.
Chester Grade School Principal Bill Grafton (left) hands out diplomas as Assistant Principal Tim Blair (right) introduces each of the 80 CGS 8th Grade Graduates Sunday May 22 at CGS Graduation. Jim Beers Photo
CGS Graduate Trayton Isaac Peters leaves the stage after receiving his 8th Grade Graduation Diploma Sunday May 22 at the 2022 Graduation Ceremony. Jim Beers Photo
CGS Graduate Jessica Leigh Stumpe exits the platform Sunday May 22 after receiving her 8th Grade Graduation Diploma at Graduation 2022. Jim Beers Photo
Once they entered the gym, they proceeded down the stairs to the gym floor where only they were seated. Chairs were spaced apart to offer COVID-19 precautions. Only graduate candidates were allowed to sit on the floor.
Sue Colonel, CGS Junior High Band Director, directs the band in the Processional, “Pomp and Circumstance” at the 2020 CGS Graduation. Jim Beers Photo
The band and the graduation platform were positioned under the basket at the end of the gym. CGS Junior High Teachers were seated in the first three rows of orange chair seats to the left of the platform.
Once the 80 prospective 8th grade graduates arrived at their seats, led by four 7th Grade Marshalls, District No. 139 Superintendent of Schools, Brian Pasero, welcomed everyone to the ceremony and asked the students to sit.
Pasero then introduced District No. 139 School Board Members, Chuck Fricke and Lorin Mott who assisted in presenting diplomas to the graduates.
Pasero then introduced the Class of 2022 Salutatorian, Addison Gottschammer, who gave a welcoming speech and the traditional Salutatorian Address. Gottschammer was selected as Salutatorian based upon her status as having the second-highest grade point average in the class. She did a fine job of presenting her address.
Tim Blair, CGS Assistant Principal, then took the stage to introduce the 2022 Marshalls and Ushers who earned their roles and titles by being the Top-10 honor students in the 7th Grade Class of 2023.
The Top-4 Honor Students served as Marshalls who escorted the 8th Graders to their seats on and off the floor and to the platform for the presentation of diplomas. Marshals included Logan Brace, Zane Eggemeyer, Brylee Hagene, and Camdynn Quillman.
Honor students 5th through 10th served as Ushers who greeted guests to the gym upon their arrival and distributed programs to each guest. Ushers included Lauren Cowell, Aidan Davis, Brooke Howie, Kross Jany, Anna Menefee, and Katie Werner.
Mr. Blair then introduced High Honor Roll and Honor Roll 8th Grade Students based upon their academic averages during their first three semesters of their 8th Grade year.
High Honor Students included Erin Liefer who had a perfect 4.0 average, Addison Marie Gottschammer, 2nd-Highest GPA, Maggie Alyse Caby, Rylie Danielle Myers, Alyssa Jean Coffey, Trayton Isaac Peters, Callie Jo Alline Davis, Jessica Leigh Stumpe, and Morgan Nicole Throop.
Honor Students included Bralynn Ann Astin, Riley Nicole Lochhead, David Matthew August, Chance Liam Murphy, Diego Perez, Johanna Leigh Noel Frazer, Jason David Sibley, Emily Nicole Gruenewald, Natalie Grace Guetersloh, Olivia Grace Vasquez, Carlos Jimenez, Brayden Cole Juenger, Trevor Antonio Keeton, Elizabeth Karen Wilson, Kylee Renee Keeton, Luke David Kennedy, and Megan Renee’ Zimmer.
Finally, Mr. Blair introduced the members of the Beta Club including Erin Liefer, Maggie Caby, Rylie Myers, Diego Perez, Alyssa Coffey, Trayton Peters, Callie Jo Davis, Addison Gottschammer, Emily Gruenewald, Jessica Stumpe, Carlos Jimenez, Elizabeth Wilson, and Megan Zimmer.
Principal Bill Grafton then presented the 2022 CGS 8th Grade Class after which Assistant Principal Tim Blair announced the names of the graduate candidates. As the Marshalls directed the candidates to the platform, Principal Grafton presented diplomas to the graduates.
Graduates included Bralynn Ann Astin, Brenna Sue Astin, David Matthew August, Faith Nicole Aumann, Alicesyn Jayne Baker, Aaliyah Marie Berkbuegler, Aubry Ann Bowles, Maggie Alyse Caby, Roman James Carter, Hayden Nicole Cartwright, Jacob Curtis Casteel, Brayan B. E. Cates, Lucas James Chandler, Alyssa Jean Coffey, Gabriel Alexzander Coffman, London Conway, Amelia Paige Crawford, Callie Jo Alline Davis, Mackenzie Paige Deimund, and Coy Michael Dickerson.
More graduates included Peyton Elizabeth Dickerson, Johanna Leigh Noel Frazer, Addison Marie Gottschammer, Emily Nicole Gruenewald, Natalie Grace Guetersloh, Annah Lynn Helvey Ahring, Anthony Hernandez Huerta, Kylie Marie Hicks, Luke Ely Hobeck, Liam Edward Holland, Bianca Mary Kay Howard, Ella May Jackson, Carlos Jimenez, Trinity Renee’ Jones, Brayden Cole Juenger, Ryan Paul Junger, Trevor Antonio Keeton, Kylee Renee Kempfer, Luke David Kennedy, and Carter Joseph Kochanski.
Other graduates were Erin Ann Liefer, Riley Nicole Lochhead, Aiden James Jany, Adelynn Grace May, Ivan Kane McCarty, Morgan Allen Miers, Clayton Thomas Miller, Chance Liam Murphy, Robert Michael Myers, Rylie Daniele Myers, Alexander Ethan Charles Partin, Amari Perez, Diego Perez, Trayton Isaac Peters, Aubrey Mae Price, Evan William Richardet, Caleb Scott Richmond, Kaylee Marie Rogers, Konner Joseph Schroeder, and Jacob David Shields.
Finally, Derrius Ray Shoemate, Jason David Sibley, Jonathon Wyatt Snow, Larry Ovidio Sorto, Madison Elise Stauffer, Mason Riley Straight, Jakob Melvin Stueve, Jessica Leigh Stumpe, Brittany Elaine Teater, Morgan Nicole Throop, Brayden Tucker, Olivia Grace Vasquez, Camden Austin Ward, Lilianna Aten Welge, Drew Ruben Wilderman, Gavin Edward Wilderman, Elizabeth Karen Wilson, Adyn Lee Winchester, Gage M. Yankey, and Megan Renee’ Zimmer.
After a warm round of applause for the 80 Class of 2022 Graduates, Valedictorian, Erin Liefer gave the Farewell Address for the Class of 2022. She did a wonderful job of presenting her speech.
Immediately following Liefer’s Address, the CGS Junior High Band played the “Matrix March” as a Recessional for the graduates to exit the seating area and back up to the James F. Sharp Cafeteria where parents, friends and fellow students greeted them and met for photo opportunities.