Nine Are Graduated From Gros Cap School
By Paul Gingras

This year's Gros Cap School graduates pose for a class photograph Thursday, May 17. Pictured (back, from left) are Angel Ballard, AlexanderWright, Corey Nelson, Cole Christiansen, Cody Swagger; (front) Brent Duffiney, Austin St. Louis, Shaun Horn, and Lucas Thurston. Gros Cap held its graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 22. (Photograph by student Jeff Misner)

Before an ebony backdrop adorned with silver stars, nine eighth-grade students took the stage at Gros Cap School and were graduated Tuesday, May 22. Standing before a crowd of parents, teachers, mentors, and family members, they said good-bye to their kindergartenthrough eighth grade district, which lies on the edge of Lake Michigan in Moran Township. Several expressed genuine excitement at the prospect of entering high school and noted that small class sizes were their favorite aspect of Gros Cap.

Certificates of promotion were presented to Angel Ballard, Cole Christiansen, Brent Duffiney, Shaun Horn, Corey Nelson, Austin St. Louis, Cody Swagger, Lucas Thurston, and Alexander Wright. Lead teacher Monica Silet and speech and language pathologist Mary Christiansen presented the certificates.

Student Cole Christiansen and his father, Steve, pose at Gros Cap's commencement.

The silver stars also decorated the podium from which Mr. Thurston welcomed the public to the ceremony.

"It has been a great nine years and a wonderful experience," he said, noting that Gros Cap is a good place for students to begin their education.

The theme of "place" ran throughout the pictures and speeches presented at the event. The public watched a picture presentation that documented each graduate's time at Gros Cap, set to nostalgic music.

Mrs. Christiansen took the stage to present the President's Academic Fitness Awards. To be recognized, students had to achieve a grade point average of 3.5 throughout their career at Gros Cap and score 85% or higher on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test.

Students who received the award included Lucas Thurston, Cody Swagger, Corey Nelson, Cole Christiansen, Austin St. Louis, and Shaun Horn.

"It appears you young men have set a standard; now it's up to you to keep up the good work," Mrs. Christiansen said.

Guest speakers included former Gros Cap students and LaSalle High School seniors Alexandria Sposito and Kelsey Cryderman. Both received the Robert Buchholz Memorial Scholarship. Both Miss Sposito and Miss Cryderman plan to attend Ferris State University.

Miss Cryderman complimented the eight-grade class for completing "chapter one" of their education. She also promoted a strong work ethic, strong study habits, and reminded them that a touch of anxiety regarding entrance to high school is natural.

People define themselves during their high school years, she noted, and during the next four years, while under peer pressure, she reminded them to "never forget the person you'd like to be."

She also advised them to have fun "because [high school] goes by fast."

Miss Sposito echoed some of these sentiments and encouraged the graduates to take advantage of as many extracurricular activities as possible. High school offers a range of opportunities, and getting involved keeps students busy in positive ways, she explained.