World awaits WHS grads
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Staff photo by Barry Halvorson Taking care of last minute details, Wharton High Assistant Principal Steven May fits a tie on senior Julian Waddy prior to last Friday's WHS Class of 2008 graduation ceremony.

This year's Wharton High School Valedictorian Kimberly Janik and Salutatorian Shea Flynn used different imagery to convey the same feelings to their graduating classmates as they gathered as a group for the final time during Friday's Wharton High School graduation.

While Janik talked of opening and closing doors and Flynn put it into the perspective of a card game, both said the future will be what the individual chooses to make it.

"The door to high school is now closed," Janik said. "And the world awaits us."

She said that while some of the class "knows exactly" what they have planned for the future she acknowledged that others, including herself, are scared at their very cores thinking of the responsibilities they will now have to take on as adults.

But she added that each person can turn to others for assistance and help in troubled times. She concluded quoting famed American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"What lies before us and what lies behind us is nothing compared to what lies within us," she quoted, adding her own words, "We all have an inner beauty and our future starts tonight." Flynn opened her remarks by stating

the diploma each graduate was about to receive was not just a piece of paper proving they survived high school but also one representing the "great responsibility" of becoming adults.

She said regardless of the decision to attend university, a junior college, technical school or immediate entry into the workforce the students have to trust themselves and their decisions.

"Life can be like a card game," she said. "And each of us are dealt a different hand. And some are blessed with good cards and some are not. But winning comes from how you play that hand."

She added that each of the graduates have special cards they can always rely on in need.

"There is your family," she said. "And your friends, who are there forever. There are the teachers and administrators from school who are there to help, the determination in your own heart and our shared memories. So look at each hand closely as you play it."

As traditional with graduation, members of the Wharton High band played "Pomp and Circumstance" as the processional while members of the High School ROTC presented the colors.

The National Anthem was performed by Stefan Gill, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Eric Metcalf-Doetsch and invocation done by Debra Barnes. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Alma Mater was performed by Meagan Drenner and Benediction by Gill.

The announcement of the scholastic awards was done by Counselors Sue Ann Boyette and Kim Moses. This year's 2007-2008 Wharton High School Scholarships and recipients are:

Wharton High School Class of 2008 Honor Graduates (3.5 Cumulative Grade Point Average) - Bailey Barker, Debra Barnes, Meagan Drenner, Curtis Evans, Shea Flynn, Jessica Garcia, Stefan Gill, Rachel Gubbels, Kimberly Janik, Jessica Kainer, Johnathan Kirschke, Kole Kubicek, Aielsha Mangum, Chrystal Mata, Eric Metcalf- Doetsch, Katie Ondrias, Laura Reyna, Robert Washington and Blaire Zahn.

Wharton County Junior College High Honor Scholarship - Debra Barnes, Shea Flynn, Stefan Gill, Kimberly Janik, Johnathan Kirschke, Eric Metcalf-Doetsch and Blaire Zahn

Wharton High School Band & Drill Team Booster Club Scholarship - Angela Alanis, Bradley Bonewald, Taylor Coats, Cierra Coleman, Chad Gangstad, Rachel Gubbels, Andrew Hernandez, Rebecca Hernandez, Ryan Jedlicka, Jessica Kainer, Katie Ondrias, Justin Rodriguez, Lisa Sanchez, Kevin Turner, Christie Viktorin, Ben Williams, Shamika Williams, Shawquita Wilson, Tiffany Woods and Dylan Wrench.

Wharton High School Cheerleader Scholarship - Debra Barnes, Shea Flynn, Sharneace Johnson, Lauren Krenek, Quiera Ragston and Blaire Zahn Wharton High School Spanish Club Scholarship - Bailey Barker, Debra Barnes, Brian Cervenka, Meagan Drenner, Shea Flynn, Stefan Gill, Rachel Gubbels, Kimberly Janik, Christie Viktorin, Robert Washington and Blaire Zahn.

Wharton Athletic Booster Club Scholarship - Brian Cervenka, Curtis Evans, Shea Flynn, Cole Koonce, Eric Metcalf-Doetsch, Christopher Owens and Blaire Zahn

Lions Club Scholarship - Debra Barnes, Benny Enriquez, Shea Flynn, Brittany Gutierrez, Kimberly Janik, Sharneace Johnson, Kole Kubicek, Desurae Matthews, Katie Ondrias, Robert Washington, Ben Williams and Blaire Zahn.

Rotary Club Scholarship - Angela Alanis, Meagan Drenner, E.J. Gutierrez, Kimberly Janik, Kole Kubicek, Chrystal Mata, Christopher Owens, Jessica Perez, Taylor Ustynik and Shamika Williams.

G.R. Hawes Foundation Memorial Scholarship - Angela Alanis, Drew Clayton, Meagan Drenner, Shelby Jansky, Nick Kacal, Holly Melton, Howard Morgan, Robert Washington, Ben Williams and Shamika Wiliiams.

Wharton Friends of the FFA Scholarship - Drew Clayton, Cole Koonce, Lauren Krenek, Kole Kubicek, Ethan Massey, Howard Morgan, Quiera Ragston, Laura Reyna and Ashley Smith.

McElroy and Patrons Scholarship - Angela Alanis, Drew Clayton, Larrlyn Coleman, Meagan Drenner, Christopher Feyen, Richard Garcia, Rashandra Hayes, Rashawna Hayes, Andrew

Dreams are what

Hernandez, Kole Kubicek, Ethan Massey, Howard Morgan, Trent Noris, Jessica Perez, Quiera Ragston, Ronnie Ray, Taylor Ustynik, Robert Washington, Sarah Watson and Shamika Williams.

Bright Minds Scholarship - Meagan Drenner, Benny Enriquez, Rachel Gubbels, Sharneace Johnson, Megan Joost, Chrystal Mata, Katie Ondrias, Quiera Ragston, Christie Viktorin, Shamika Williams and Blaire Zahn.

Gulf Coast Medical Center Scholarship - Shea Flynn, Katie Ondrias and Tiffany Woods.

Debra Schmid Memorial Scholarship - Shea Flynn, Kimberly Janik, Kole Kubicek, Eric Metcalf-Doetsch, Lisa Sanchez and Blaire Zahn.

ACCU Tax Service Scholarship - Chrystal Mata.

Amber Hensarling Memorial Scholarship - Chrystal Mata.

American Legion Post 350 - Needville Scholarship - Megan Joost and Ethan Massey

Association of Texas Professional Educators Scholarship - Brian Cervenka, Howard Morgan and Robert Washington

August Brandl Memorial Baseball Scholarship - Brian Cervenka, E.J. Gutierrez, J.D. Rivera, Taylor Ustynik and Ben Williams.

Baylor University Presidential Gold Scholar Award - Eric Metcalf-Doetsch

Bullshooters FFA Scholarship - Cole Koonce and Laura Reyna.

Catholic Daughters of America Court No. 1990 Scholarship - Shea Flynn, Rachel Gubbels and Christie Viktorin.

Catholic Life insurance Scholarship - Christie Viktorin.

Don Rivera Memorial Scholarship - Chrystal Mata.

East Bernard American Legion Auxilary Scholarship - Blaire Zahn.

Fiesta Hispano Americana Scholarship

- Chrystal Mata. First Baptist Church of Wharton Scholarship - Richard Garcia.

First Presbyterian Church of Wharton Scholarship - Lisa Sanchez.

First State Bank of Louise - Wharton Branch Scholarship - Shea Flynn.

Ford Salute to America Scholarship - Brian Cervenka and Shea Flynn.

Frank N. Stubbs and Shirly Stubbs Feinstein Memorial Scholarship - Lisa Sanchez.

Georgia Lee Phoenix Memorial Scholarship - Michael Phoenix.

Jerry and Patricia Hoke Memorial Scholarship - Chrystal Mata.

Just Do It Now/Golden Scholarship Award - Curtis Evans.

Knights of Columbus No. 3262 - Wharton Scholarship - E.J. Gutierrez.

Lion's Club George Brady Memorial Scholarship - Hannah Mann.

Lon Morris College - Band Scholarship - Dylan Wrench.

Lon Morris College Bearcat Award - Dylan Wrench.

Los Carnales/La Familia Club Scholarship - Shelby Jansky.

McMurry University - Dean's Scholarship - Christopher Owens.

Martin Luther King Scholarship - Cierra Coleman, Curtis Evans, Addie Lathon, Chrystal Mata, Desurae Matthews, Michael Phoenix, Kenneth Phynon, Quiera Ragston, Odis Thompson and Sarah Watson.

Nan Bennett Outlar Memorial Scholarship - Shea Flynn.

Nan-Ya Plastics Scholarship - Benny

Enriquez and Brittany Gutierrez.

Pilot Club Scholarship Christie Viktorin

Prosperity Bank - Wharton Branch Scholarship Benny Enriquez.

Renee Rose Memorial Scholarship - Shea Flynn.

Rick Eller Memorial Tennis Scholarship - Eric Metcalf-Doetsch.

Sam Houston State Softball Scholarship - Brittany Gutierrez.

Sam Walton - Wharton Wal-Mart Scholarship - Aleisha Mangum.

Sheree Reynolds Key Memorial Tennis Scholarship - Kimberly Janik.

St. John's Catholic Church - Hungerford Scholarship - Chris Heffner and Ryan Jedlicka.

STP Nuclear Power Technology Scholarship - Ethan Massey.

Texas 4-H Opportunity Schloarship - Laura Reyna.

Tiger Star Memorial Scholarship in Memory of Laurance Francoeur and Heather Felder - Shamika Williams.

TL Pink Alumni & Ex-Students Association Scholarship - K.C. Curtis, Addie Lathon, Sylvester Mayfield, Michael Phoenix and Quiera Ragston.

United Brotherhood Scholarship - Addie Lathon.

United States Marine Scholarship - Julian Waddy.

University of North Texas Board of Regent's Chancellor's Scholarship - Blaire Zahn.

University of Texas Dept. of Students and Financial Aid Scholarship - Stefan Gill.

Velma Lee Anderson Memorial Scholarship - Sharneace Johnson.

W.C. Hinze Memorial Scholarship - Kole Kubicek and Odis Thompson.

WCEC Government in Action Youth Tour Scholarship - Lisa Sanchez.

WCJC Choir Scholarship - Meagan Drenner and Michael Phoenix.

Wharton Athletic Booster Club in Memory of Terry Toney Memorial Scholarship - Christie Viktorin.

Wharton County Farm Bureau Leadership Scholarship - Kole Kubicek and Blaire Zahn.

Wharton County Sheriff's Association Scholarship - Shelby Jansky

Wharton County Youth Fair Academic Rodeo Scholarship - Robert Washington

Wharton County Youth Fair Scholarship - Drew Clayton, Shea Flynn, Cole Koonce, Laura Reyna, Ashley Smith and Blaire Zahn.

Wharton High School Class of 1959 Scholarship - Meagan Drenner and Chrystal Mata.

Wharton High School Class of 1979 in Memory of Sheree Reynolds Key Scholarship - E.J. Gutierrez.

Wharton High School Mega Class Reunion Scholarship - Cody Boatwright, Santos Perales and Jonathan Wells.

William Smith, Sr. Tri-County Child Development Council, Inc. Scholarship - Addie Lathon

Class Sponsors - Ken Hewett - Advisor; Sandy Dominy - Grad Sponors; Danette Thornton, Grad Sponsor; Pat Blair, Lisa Blanco, Pat Cervenka, Helen Crockett, Michael Crowe, Anthony Ford, Ginger Morgan, Rebecca Harlow, Stephen Johnson, Jennifer Kunetka, Stephanie Miller and John Wuthrich

Class Officers - President, Shea Flynn; Vice-President, Sharneace Johnson; Secretary, Megan Joost; Treasurer, Quiera Ragston and Historian, Megan Drenner.

Class Colors - Turquoise and Pearl

Class Song - "Hero" by Mariah Carey

Class Flower - Star Lily

Class Motto - "Memories are what we leave behind, dreams are what we seek." - Anonymous