From left, Superintendent Douglas Wright presents his daughter and Valedictorian Michelle Wright with her diploma at the Santa Fe High Schools graduation ceremonies on Sunday, May 20. (Rachel Harper/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Santa Fe High School graduated 25 seniors on Sunday, May 20, wishing them well in their future endeavors.

The evening's commencement exercise began with the Pledge of Allegiance and Candace Twiggs singing "Believe in Yourself" by Charlie Smith.

Superintendent Douglas Wright gave the welcoming message, "We are very proud to have each and everyone of you here." He continued, "this class has achieved, as a whole, academically and athletically."

Wright said he felt especially privileged to introduce Salutatorian Jennifer Knipmeyer and Valedictorian Michelle Wright. He said both of these two young ladies, throughout their entire high school careers, have never gotten anything below an A.

Knipmeyer gave her salutatory address by including a few tips of success for her fellow classmates. The advice included turning your smile bright, faith always remains and never stop learning because "without watching the sunset of today, tomorrow's sunrise will never come."

She summed up graduation by saying it is a stepping stone to the future allowing students "to sprout their wings and fly away."

Wright took the audience and her fellow classmates down memory lane by telling one thing she will always remember about each senior during her valedictory address. She compared each individual to a page in a book or a part of a molecule because each individual unit is an essential part to making a book or a molecule. "We have shaped each other."

"We are connected by memories we share," she said. "We are a whole. We are the graduating class of Santa Fe 2007."

High School Principal Tom Burton recognized seniors receiving the scholarship, service and/or culture award. Fifteen out of 25 students received one or more of the awards.

"This is the best in the three years that I have been here," Burton said. "It is a good reflection on this year's class."

High School Counselor Tina Burton read off the names of the individuals received scholarships and awards and they are as follows:

B.J. Ford -- Central Methodist College Eagle's Scholarship, Central Methodist College Football Scholarship, J. Arthur Bour and Izetta G. Bour Memorial Scholarship, Joe Mann Leadership Award, Michael Campbell Memorial Scholarship, Waverly Jaycees Scholarship;

Dana Ives -- College Preparatory Studies Certificate, University of Central Missouri A+ Scholarship, University of Central Missouri Director's Scholarship;

Kyle Kirchhoff -- College Preparatory Studies Certificate;

Jennifer Knipmeyer -- Charles Lyons Memorial Foundation Scholarship, College Preparatory Studies Certificate, George Washington Carver Award, Greg Prather Scholarship, J. Arthur Bour and Izetta G. Bour Memorial Scholarship, President's Education Award, River Valley MFA Incorporated Scholarship;

Christina Lovercamp -- Houston E. Mull Memorial Scholarship;

Daniel Petet -- Alma Four-Square Community Scholarship, L.B. Manning Memorial Scholarship, Sweet Springs Optimist Club Scholarship, Waverly Jaycees Scholarship, University of Central Missouri Boys State Scholarship;

Debra Rose -- Beumer Memorial Scholarship;

Maria Ruiz -- Bricken-Groves Memorial Scholarship, Ceasar Chavez Scholarship, College Preparatory Studies Certificate, Fitzgibbon Memorial Hospital Scholarship, President's Education Award, Sweet Springs Optimist Club Scholarship, University of Central Missouri A+ Scholarship, Waverly-Grand Pass High School Alumni Scholarship, Western Missouri Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship;

Holly Schmidt -- College Preparatory Studies Certificate, President's Education Award, University of Missouri-Kansas City Volleyball Scholarship;

Ashton Smith -- Alma Community Club Scholarship, College Preparatory Studies Certificate, Curtis Buhlig Memorial Scholarship, Local Administrators Special Education Scholarship, MSHSAA Award of Excellence, Missouri Valley College Academic Scholarship, Missouri Valley College Freshman Scholarship, Missouri Valley College Volleyball Scholarship, President's Education Award, Sweet Springs Optimist Club Scholarship, United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award;

Megan Stuenkel -- Houston E. Mull Memorial Scholarship, President's Education Award;

Paula Tieman -- Charles Lyons Memorial Foundation Scholarship, College Preparatory Studies Certificate, Donna Zitelman Memorial Scholarship, Missouri Valley College Academic Scholarship, Missouri Valley College Freshman Scholarship, Missouri Valley College Volleyball Scholarship, President's Education Award;

Michelle Wright -- Bricken-Groves Memorial Scholarship, Bright Flight Scholarship, Central Missouri Electric Cooperative Scholarship, Charles Lyons Memorial Foundation Scholarship, College Preparatory Studies Certificate, Cornell Leadership Award, FBLA-PBL Charles Newman Scholarship, George Washington Carver Award, KMZU Academic Achievement Award, M.A.R.E. Outstanding 2007 Rural Student Award, Missouri Scholars 100 Award, NREA Essay Award, President's Education Award, Sweet Springs Optimist Club Scholarship, United States Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award, University of Missouri-Columbia Mizzou Scholars Award;

Michelle Aversman -- Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award, Charles Lyons Memorial Foundation Scholarship, College Preparatory Studies Certificate, Corder Education Trust Scholarship, Fitzgibbon Memorial Hospital Scholarship, George Washington Carver Award, President's Education Award, Santa Fe High School Coca-Cola Scholarship, West Central Missouri Electric Cooperative Scholarship;

Jaclyn Brunkhorst -- ACCESS FCCLA Conference Scholarship, Alma Community Club Scholarship, College Preparatory Studies Certificate, J. Arthur Bour and Izetta G. Bour Memorial Scholarship, Ledru "Ted" Kirchhoff Memorial Scholarship, President's Education Award, Sweet Springs Optimist Club Scholarship, University of Central Missouri A+ Supplemental Scholarship, University of Central Missouri Academic Excellence Scholarship, University of Central Missouri Departmental Scholarship, University of Central Missouri Girls State Scholarship;

Sarah Christopherson -- Missouri Valley College Alumni Scholarship, Missouri Valley College Freshman Scholarship, Missouri Valley College Softball Scholarship, Groves-Bricken Memorial Waverly Christian Church Scholarship, Waverly Jaycees Scholarship.

Tina Burton said the graduating class of 2007 earned over $506,000 in scholarships to help further their educational opportunities.

Contact Rachel Harper at

marshallcity@socket.net

For more 2007 Santa Fe graduation photos, go to www.marshallnews.com/gallery/