Mckenna Owens
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Mason Alley
Miss Owens, who came to Grundy R-5 as an eighth grader, talked about the fear she experienced as a new member of the class, but how that fear subsided during the next few years.
“What I didn’t realize then was how important my classmates, peers and teachers would become to me during the next few years of high school,” she said. “This class welcomed me in as one of their own. I was blessed with teachers and faculty who have helped me face my fears…and I am truly grateful to have attended such an amazing school that has shaped me into the person I am today.”
She went on to say that while each of her classmates will be faced with many obstacles and challenges, it is important that they overcome their fears to be successful.
“Opportunity can only be gained when we get past our fears in life,” she said. “We must not let fear hold us back from becoming what we aspire to be as adults.”
Miss Owens concluded by saying she knows that each person is equipped with the skills they need to get past the hardships that life may throw their way and challenged them not to let fear hold them back from becoming what they are destined to do.
“This is my command,” she said quoting from Joshua 1:9. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
“Let this verse guide you in your path for the future,” she said.
Alley challenged his classmates to not be “just good enough” and to set their goals above that bar.
“Those who stop at good enough are selling themselves short,” Alley said. “Sure, you aren’t getting any worse. But you also aren’t getting any better. Take pride in your lives and the work you do; be it housework, school work or career work.”
“A job worth doing is worth doing well,” he continued. “Having a strong work ethic will carry over into every part of your life and craft those traits that one should be associated with: responsible, honest, reliable, dedicated, loyal, empathetic and of strong character; traits that are not just found among great workers, but among great people.”
Alley then read a poem shared with him by instructor Rebecca Steinhoff, showing the need to be more than “good enough.” The poem ended with the line “If you want to be great, pretty good is, in fact, pretty bad.”
“The last line of that poem was what really struck me,” Alley said. “I pray that as we go our separate ways, whether toward college or straight into the workforce, that none of us settle for satisfactory. I know that each person in this class is capable of achieving more than just pretty good results. Don’t give in, stay resilient and determined to do your best and better yourself.”
He concluded by thanking the parents, friends, teachers and faculty members who “would not let us settle for good enough. Without you, none of us would be on this stage today.”
Following the speeches, awards were presented to each member of the class. They included:
A-Plus – Mason Alley, Kelsey Bummer, Rebecca McLain, Mckenna Owens, Morgan Ronayne, Megan Saul, Skyla Southwick and Emily Torrey.
Mason Daniel Alley – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves, State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman, United States Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award, The Josten’s Scholarship Award for Salutatorian, the College Preparatory Certificate, The George Washington Carver Award, Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award, the President’s Award for Education Excellence, Academic Achievement Award, Truman State University Combined Ability Scholarship of $3,000, Truman State University President’s Honorary Scholarship of $2,500, Truman State University A-Plus Recognition Scholarship of $500, the Pebble Horn Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,200, the Sullivan County Memorial Hospital Scholarship in the amount of $500 and the Galt Lion’s Club Salutatorian Scholarship of $200 Following graduation, he plans to attend Truman State University and major in chemistry, then transfer to the University of Missouri Kansas City to attend the School of Pharmacy.
Cora Shelby Bummer – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves and State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman. Following graduation, she plans to attend the Chillicothe Beauty Academy.
Kelsey Dawn Bummer – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves, State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman and Grand River Technical School Certificate of completion in Health Services. Following graduation, she plans to attend Grand River Technical School and receive certification to become an EMT and paramedic.
Christopher Allen Burkin – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves and State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman. Following graduation, he plans to attend Grand River Technical School and complete the building trades program
Amber Lee Lynn Carson – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves and State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman. Following graduation, she plans to enter the workforce.
Thomas Blake Dalton – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves, State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman and National Guard Awards of $18,000 in federal tuition assitance, $41,028 in state tuition assistance, $13,032 in MGIB Scholar funding, $12,600 in MIGB Kicker and $250 a month for his drill pay until he is promoted. Following graduation, he will be attending AIT and continue a career in the military.
Jaimee Janelainea Groom – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves and State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman. Following graduation, she plans to attend North Central Missouri College.
Garity Mikel Hanes – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves and State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman, Following graduation, he plans to pursue a career in criminal justice.
Troy Austin Hanes – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves and State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman. Following graduation, he plans to attend Grand River Technical School and enter the welding program
Tanner Glen Hudson – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves and State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman. Following graduation, he plans to attend Central College in Pella, IA and study history and then attend law school.
Tristan Jack Hudson – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves and State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman. Following graduation, he plans to attend the Grand River Technical School and become an EMT and Firefighter.
Emily Elizabeth Kenley – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves, State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman, the Galt Grundy R-5 Alumnni Scholarship in the amount of $750 and the Thomas Anthony M.D. Scholarship in the amount of $350 per semester. Following graduation, she plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University and major in pre-medicine.
Kylie Abigail Littleton – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves and State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman. she plans to attend North Central Missouri College and then transfer to Graceland University to become an art teacher.
Mathew James McLain – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves and State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman. Following graduation, he plans to enter the workforce.
Rebecca Louis McLain – issouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves, State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman and the Grand River Technical School Certificate of completion of 480 hours in Health Services. Following graduation, she plans to attend North Central Missouri College, then transfer to Northwest Missouri State University and study wildlife biology.
Mckenna Lee Owens – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves, State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman, the Perfect Attendance Award, Academic Achievement Award, Academic Achievement Award of Excellence, the College Preparatory Certificate , the Josten’s Scholarship Award for valedictorian, the Herff Jones I Believe In You Award, the George Washington Carver Award, the United States Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award, the President’s Award for Education Excellence, the American Youth Foundation I Dare You Award, the American Citizenship Award, Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award, Truman State University Combined Ability Scholarship of $2,500, Truman State University President’s Leadership Scholarship of $2,000, the Pebble Horn Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,200, the National FFA Dodge Ram Scholarship in the amount of $1,000, the Laredo Alumni Scholarship in the amount of $500, Truman State University A-Plus Recognition Scholarship of $500, the Trenton Kiwanis Club Scholarship of $500, the Galt Lions Club Valedictorian Scholarship in the amount of $200, the Laredo Lions Club Scholarship in the amount of $100 and Donnie Callen Memorial Scholarship of $100. Following graduation, she plans to attend Truman State University and major in biology with a concentration in pre-dentistry.
Harley Storm Riddle -Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves, State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman and Grand River Technical School Certificate of completion in Auto Service Technology. He plans to continue his education at Grand River Technical School and study diesel mechanics.
Morgan Renee Ronayne – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves, State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman, the College Preparatory Certificate, Grand River Technical School Certificate of completion in Health Services, the Galt Grundy R-5 Alumni Scholarship in the amount of $750 and the Donnie Callen Memorial Scholarship of $100. Following graduation, she plans to attend North Central Missouri College and then transfer to Missouri Western State University.
Megan Jean Saul – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves, State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman, Alternate for the D Lee Cloyed Memorial Scholarship, the Velda Kincaid Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $3,000, the Donnie Callen Memorial Scholarship of $100 and the Trenton Coca Cola Scholarship in the amount of $100. Following graduation, she plans to attend North Central Missouri College and then transfer to Graceland University and study elementary education.
Skyla Paige Southwick -Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves, State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman, the College Preparatory Certificate, Grand River Technical School Certificate of completion in Health Services, Certificate of Completion for participating in the Upward Bound program at North Central Missouri College, the Everett and Hazel Frey Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $350 per semester and the Trenton Coca-Cola Scholarship in the amount of $100. Following graduation, she plans to attend North Central Missouri College and become a registered nurse.
Emily Maria Torrey – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves, State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman, the College Preparatory Certificate, the President’s Award for Education Excellence, the MFA Foundation Scholarship in the amount of $2,000, the Northwest Missouri State University Tower Scholarship in the amount of $1,250, the American Dream Grant in the amount of $1,076, the Built Ford Tough Scholarship in the amount of $1,000, the Galt Grundy R-5 Alumni Scholarship in the amount of $750, the D Lee Cloyed Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $250, the Grundy R-5 CTA Scholarship in the amount of $250, the Carolyn Whitney Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $250. Following graduation, she plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University and study wildlife biology.
Austin Harold Whitney – Missouri House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition from Mike Lair, U.S. House of Representatives Certificate of Graduation from Sam Graves and State of Missouri Senate Certificate of Recognition from Dan Hegeman. Following graduation, he plans to enter the workforce.