Turning the tassel: NV, O-M seniors enter new chapter with graduation

Forty-six seniors graduated from Nodaway Valley and five from Orient-Macksburg in commencement exercises at the schools Sunday afternoon.

This year is notable as it was the last graduating class from Orient-Macksburg before they whole grade share with Nodaway Valley and then dissolve.

‘If not you, then who?’

Nodaway Valley’s salutatorian was Olivia Laughery and the valedictorian was Delaney Blomme. Class President Bailey Carstens also addressed the crowd.

Carstens asked her classmates the question, “If not you, then who?” She said it’s a question that has always stuck with her in times of uncertainty. She cited taking initiative to finish a project that needs done or starting a Christian organization at school with her classmate Joanna Larson called Fellowship of Christian Athletes, revolving both of these instances back to that question.

Laughery and Blomme spoke together, thanking those who helped them become “the best version” of themselves. They said some helped them learn to say no and others taught them when to say yes in order to take on a challenge. They talked about how the chapter they’re finishing has shaped them for the next.

The last of the Bulldogs

At Orient-Macksburg, class valedictorian Carter Osborne addressed the crowd in addition to classmate Stephanie Mills and staff member Samantha Thompson.

During her time at the microphone, Thompson shared personal memories of each of the members of O-M’s class.

Mills spoke about how the class has their whole lives in front of them, but this would be the final time they would be together as the Class of 2025. She thanked numerous people who helped her reach the finish line of graduation.

Osborne spoke about the weight of being a member of O-M’s final class. She said the real, meaningful relationships helped her navigate all her senior year contained. She said that in life, a person is bound to fail or experience loss, but how you respond to that loss is what matters most.

A group of Kuemper Catholic High School band members, directed by former Orient-Macksburg teacher Marie Walsh Becker, came to Orient to play for the school’s last commencement.

“As a former Orient-Macksburg teacher, the news of the school’s closure hit close to home, and I wanted to do something if I could,” Walsh Becker said. “It turned out that the Kuemper graduation ceremonies were on a different day, so I got in touch with both administrations and volunteered our high school band. The reaction of the Kuemper students was very positive.”

Sophomore percussion player Zander Berger said he loved being there to make the last Orient-Macksburg graduation memorable. Junior clarinetist Lauren Lenz said she enjoyed being able to serve the Orient-Macksburg community and to play the music “they deserve to hear.” Seniors walked out to a rousing chorus of “On, Wisconsin,” which is Orient-Macksburg’s fight song.

Honors graduates

Graduating Summa Cum Laude from Nodaway Valley were Blomme, Simeon Piearson and Laughery.

Graduating Magna Cum Laude was Mylee Comstock, Maddie Weston, Bailey Carstens and Hana Brown.

Red Cord recipients for blood drive involvement were Sophia Burnside, Delaney Blomme, Maddie Weston, Bailey Carstens, Joanna Larson, Olivia Laughery and Hana Brown.

Receiving Silver Cords for community service hours were Delaney Blomme, Bailey Carstens and Olivia Laughery.

Hana Brown and Tia Bower received mention as yearbook staff members.

National Honor Society members graduating were Delaney Blomme, Olivia Laughery, Joanna Larson, Hana Brown, Maddie Weston, Gracelyn Lewis, Ava Ford, Mylee Comstock, Trent Warner, Ben Hoover, Bailey Carstens and Lillie Strode.

Receiving cords as co-leaders of Fellowship of Christian Athletes were Bailey Carstens and Joanna Larson.