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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (June 10, 2015)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL June 10, 2015 11A Cottage Grove sends 136 'important' graduates out into the world Principal tells grads 'your brilliance is still in its rawest stage' BY MATT HOLLANDER The Cottage Grove Sentinel S ome people have really cool jobs with great perks, such as the Nike Store worker in Principal Iton Udosenata’s opening anecdote to the gradu- ates and guests of Saturday’s graduation ceremony at Cottage Grove High School. “This acquaintance of mine can get discounts for all of his friends, and he regularly meets some of the most important people in sports,” he said. “But then I think to myself, ‘I get to work with some pretty impor- tant people too,’ and I feel lucky that I get to shake their hands here today.” In all, Udosenata would shake the hands of 136 new graduates, but before passing out their di- plomas, he reminded them that their education has only just be- gun. “In your years at Cottage Grove High School you’ve learned about grit, perseverance and teamwork. You’ve learned the difference between dress- ing for success and a dress-code violation. But understand that your brilliance is still in its raw- est stage,” he said. The 2015 valedictorians were Justin Bennett, Luke Bennett, Hijiriko Cattleman, Ronan Hall and Kolby Owens, and each one had a chance to address the graduating class. Justin Bennett reminded ev- eryone that although it’s a cliche to say, ‘we’ve made it,’ cliches have a lot of truth to them and that there are many more ‘we’ve made it’ moments ahead. Luke Bennett said that life doesn’t slow down for anyone, so go on more adventures and “use what we’ve learned.” And while most graduates are anxious to move up and out to PROBLEMS UNDERSTANDING SPEECH? Please give us a call for a hearing evaluation to see if we can help. Celebrating 20 years of providing the best customer service in the business. photo by Matt Hollander Cottage Grove High School's Class of 2015 had fi ve valedictorians, who eached shared thoughts on the occasion. better things, Owens reminded his classmates that Cottage Grove will always remain. “Give it a couple years; we’ll Fifty students earned their diplomas or GED certifi cates on Saturday BY MATT HOLLANDER The Cottage Grove Sentinel A FREE Hearing Screenings FREE Hearing Aid Checks & Cleanings Just call to schedule an appointment! Grant's Hearing Centers www.grantshearing.com Cottage Grove 1498 E. Main Street 541-942-8444 l Kennedy High School principal Mike Ingman stepped to the podium during Saturday’s graduation ceremony at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and recited “The Bridge Builder,” a poem by Will Allen Dromgoole. “That’s what we do here,” he explained. “We help these young men and women build photo by Matt Hollander Rachel Eckstine (pictured), along with Sasha Cole, spoke on behalf of the class at Saturday’s graduation ceremony. bridges from school to life.” Fifty students were honored on Saturday for earning their diploma or passing the General Education Development (GED) test. The class of 2015 could very well be the largest in the history of Al Kennedy. In addition, 25 scholarships were awarded to students for Actual Spectrum Residents furthering their education. Mary Meir was recognized with scholarships from the Ma- sonic Lodge, Coast Fork Wil- lamette Watershed Council, Wayne Fields and the Cottage Grove Community Foundation. Amanda Woody received scholarships from the Kiwanis Clubs of Cottage Grove and GREEN TAG SALE Life with ... In the Country Cottage Grove, OR Mark your Calendar independence Discover the freedom that comes with fewer responsibilities. • Anytime dining – dining room is open from 7am-7pm and we serve three meals per day, including a fresh salad bar • Washer & dryer in every apartment • Wellness Center with state-of-the-art Technogym ® equipment • Studio, one, and two bedroom apartments with large, walk-in closets • Unique activities and classes 541.378.4332 2951 Coburg Road • Eugene, OR 97408 CrescentParkSeniorLiving.com Half mile north of the Beltline on Coburg Road $1,000 off community fee * *Move-in by 6/30/15 A SPECTRUM RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Conner Borigo. In her comments, Borigo re- fl ected on the memories that she and her fellow graduates made while growing up in Cottage Grove. A bridge from school to life: Kennedy students complete the journey Grant Gording, BC-HIS Board Certifi ed in Hearing Instrument Sciences all be back,” he joked. The salutatorians, who also had the opportunity to speak, were Shannon Dempsey and June 19 & 20 the Bohemia Sunrisers, as well as the Cottage Grove Board of Realtors. Sharla Cole also earned a scholarship from the Bohemia Sunrisers. Cole, along with Ra- chel Eckstine, spoke on behalf of the class. “Many people told me that high school would be the beat years of my life. While it has at times been fun, this has also been the hardest thing I’ve ever overcome. I am so proud of this class,” Cole said. Eckstine, who dropped out of high school after two years, said that her faith in giving Al Ken- nedy a shot was rewarded by graduating on time. Ten students received Or- egon Gear Up scholarships, including Christine Ahlwardt, Arleth Christensen, Cole, Andy Crowder, Eckstine, Casey Finch, Ray Lloyd, Meir, Emily Peters and Jason Richter. Five more scholarships were awarded from the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps to Eckstine, Casey Finch, Connor Fitch, Bryson Howard and Mark Peck. Before passing out diplomas, Ingman left the class with four pieces of advice: one, work hard in life because it’s a requirement for success; two, make your own path and don’t be afraid to be an individual; three, don’t be afraid to fail, so long as you learn from the mistakes; and four, fi nd your own paradise, which isn’t a place but a feeling. “I hope that you can all fi nd something as special as what we’ve had here at Kennedy,” he said. (more info to follow) Community Development Department Emergency Management Division 942-3340 NOTICE TO CUT OR REMOVE TALL GRASS – HAZARDOUS VEGETATION – COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL Notice is hereby given that property owners or persons in control of property are required in the City of Cottage Grove to cut or remove tall grass, hazardous vegetation and combustible materi- als during the fi re season from June 15 th to November 1 st (CGMC 8.12 Nuisances). Tall grass and hazardous vegetation includes wild blackberry bushes; weeds & grass more than 12 inches tall anywhere on your property including public lands out to the street. Vegetation that is likely to endanger buildings or other property should it catch on fi re must also be cut or removed. During the fi re season inspections will be made and property owners notifi ed that they must cut or remove the hazardous vegetation. Failure to cut or remove the grass or vegetation will result in the City having to abate the problem. The cost of abatement will be charged to the property and if unpaid will become a lien against the property. Property owners are reminded that they must keep hazardous vegetation and tall grass cut less than 12 inches until November 1 st . Questions can be answered by the Community Develop- ment Department at City Hall, by calling 541-942-3340 or by email: planning@cottagegrove.org
