Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, May 23, 2002

 At left, Landi McFARLAND, daughter of David and Joy McFARLAND of Ellston, was valedictorian of the Mount Ayr Community high school class of 2002.

At right, Holly MEESTER, daughter of Jay and Pat MEESTER of Mount Ayr, was the salutatorian of the Mount Ayr Community high school class of 2002.

  A total of 62 students completed requirements to graduate with the Mount Ayr Community high school this year.

Graduation for Mount Ayr Community high school seniors was held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Mount Ayr Community high school gymnasium. The class valedictorian and salutatorian, Landi McFARLAND and Holly MEESTER, gave the speeches for the afternoon.

MEESTER reminisced about the sad times and happy times that the class had been through together. She said her classes were "lucky genisues" who had talent to shape their community and world for the future. She said class members had talents to be politicians, developmers of new technology and people who care about those in need. Using friendships and abilities the calss members have, they can make a difference, MEESTER told the students.

McFARLAND celebrated the diversity of the class of 2002, saying that the class would lead by doing things differently. She listed areas of ability and personality such as athletics, academics, concern for others, artistic talent, acting ability, musical talent and goal setting as important attributes of the class and listed names of students she felt represented each category.

"It's different characteristics of our class that make us complete," McFARLAND said.

Class Motto: "The memories we've shared, the times we've had together, they will stay with us always. . . good-bye is not forever."

Class Colors: Black and Burgundy   Class Flower: Rose

Member of the Class of 2002 include:

Austin Wayne ADAMS, Brandon Dean ADAMS, Kelsey Lou ALLEN, Colby Lee BAKER, Mekenze Jo BISHOP, Courtney Lynn CANNON, Chelsey Shawn CLYMER, Sheryl Ann DOLECHECK, Tiffany Lynn GAGE, Danny JAVIER, Duarte GARCIA, Michelle Lydia DUGAN, Rachel Mae EGGERT, Breann Marie FISHER, Brian Alan FOOKEN, Kyle Michael FORD, Jamie Lynn GOINS, Brenon James HAINLINE, Shannon Lynn HARTMAN, Blake Jeffrey HAUGLAND, Scott J. HENSLEY,

Travis Royalan HOLMES, Mark Bryson HYMBAUGH, Amanda Ann JACKSON, Melanie Lynn JACKSON, Corey Martin JERALDS, Miranda Diane JERALDS, Nicholas Adam JOHNSON, Sean Matthew KILGORE, Kimberly Ann LARSEN, Landi Kiburz McFARLAND, Holly Mae MEESTER, James Russell MELVIN, Anthony Wayne MERCER, Jada Rae MOORE, Nicole Lynn MORGAN, Stacey Arlene NEWBY, Jennifer Lynne OSWALD, Brandi Taneese PAXSON, Jacob Kristopher PENICK, Chad PERCIFIELD, April Dawn PERRIGO, Clay Ryan PETTIT, Bobby Ray POTTORFF Jr., Thomas John REDDING,

Penny Louise REED, Russell Conn REED, Aaron ROBERTS, Ryan Michael ROE, Josiah Paul RUSK, Mary Sue SCHARFENKAMP, Lucas Derek SCOTT, Amber Dawn SHIELDS, Cassie Marie SNEDEKER, Ashlee Marie SOBOTKA, Richard Lavern STARK, Andrea Lynn STEWART, BayLee Keith STULL, Andrea Lee TAYLOR, Tiffany Marie UTLEY, Nicholas Aaron WILKEY, Nadine Carole WUILLAY and Alexandra "Alex" WYBRANSKI (foreign exchange student from Berlin, Germany).

The high school band played music for the processional and recessional and the high school choir sang "I Am A Small Part of the World" and "Blessing."

Superintendent Tylor WILLIAMS introduced the speakers, principal Darrell BARTLING presented the senior class and board of education president Mike McGHEE presented diplomas.

Back row from left: Melanie JACKSON, Sean KILGORE, Mick JOHNSON, Kyle FORD and Kelsey ALLEN.

Front row from left: Mekinze BISHOP, Kim LARSEN, Landi McFARLAND, Holly MEESTER and Amber SHIELDS.

  Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2012