By BOB JOHNSON
bob@iolaregister.com
Brent Clark couldn’t resist mentioning Marvin Smith in comments at Iola High School graduation ceremonies Sunday afternoon.
Smith will retire at the end of this school year after 44 years teaching chemistry and coaching at the school, and often is mentioned by students as being an inspiration.
Clark talked about taking memories from high school, and allowed that one teacher “we are all going to miss and remember (is) the only guy that I know that got pulled over twice in one year driving a school bus. And the only man that can hold 350 kids two minutes after the final bell to listen to multiple ‘one last announcement’ … either about track and cross country or Saturday school, and those are the kids who have probably already left the building by that time anyway.
“We’re going to miss you Marv,” Clark said, to acknowledging nods from 81 other seniors awaiting to parade across stage to get their diplomas.
Clark also told about seven men who came to a dry creek bed on a moonless night and heard a voice tell them to pick up stones. Later they found the stones to be precious jewels.
“For the rest of your life you will be looking in your ‘bags’ to see what rocks or memories you picked up in high school that have turned to jewels,” Clark said. “Some of you may be sitting here thinking dang, I wish I would have done more or I wish I was more involved even after all the fun I had.
“My advice is don’t worry about that, you get a new bag today when you walk across the stage. This bag isn’t limited to the memories you make in four years, this bag is your life … and don’t worry about filling up the bag because you can’t.
“But try your hardest to pick up as many rocks or memories as you can because some day they will be jewels.”
EIGHT STUDENTS who earned 4.0 grade point averages were recognized as valedictorians of the class. They were Brad Bazo, Briann Burris, Matt Cunningham, Riana Dolenz, Clint Heffern, Christian Kauth, Bryan Miller and Tyler Shelby.
Just a smidgen back, Amber Mock was announced as salutatorian.
Shelby emerged as winner of the Rotary Achievement Award.
Each senior with 4.0 grade point average was deserving of the award and to determine the winner ACT scores came into play, said Judy Works, who made the presentation. Shelby’s ACT was a lofty 34; perfect is 36.
