A sea of Union High School Class of 2022 graduating faces including Stone Schmitz (center, third from right) pictured in the high school gym in La Porte City on May 22, moments before the conferring of the diplomas begins. –Photo courtesy Krystal Schmitz

Union High School held Commencement for the Class of 2022 this past Sunday, May 22, in the high school gym in La Porte City – helping 90 seniors end one chapter of their lives and move on to the next.

The ceremony began at 2:00 p.m. with the Processional of the graduates into the gym accompanied by the Union Concert Band performing “Pomp and Circumstance” under the direction of teacher Mike Bistline.

Following the National Anthem which was performed by senior members of the choir, the Concert Choir performed the engaging piece “It Is Not Always May” by Elaine Hagenberg under the direction of teacher Casey Tecklenburg.

Michael Bruns, Union Activities Director, then provided opening remarks and introduced the senior speakers – Class of 2022 graduates Carlie Spore and Gabriel Hanson.

“Dysart and La Porte kids became Union kids,” Spore said during her and Hanson’s combined speech, as they reminisced about starting kindergarten and working their way up through the grades in separate communities before consolidating at the middle school.

Union High School Class of 2022 senior speakers Carlie Spore (center left) and Gabriel Hanson (center right) snap a quick selfie before beginning their combined speech during the graduation ceremony held in the high school gym in La Porte City on Sunday, May 22, while school board member Jenna Scott (left) and activities director Michael Bruns (right) smile in amusement. –Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

The two speakers also detailed the myriad of missed school days their class had to navigate as high schoolers including two weeks during their freshman year at the hands of the polar vortex, the “three months of spring break” they experienced during their sophomore year due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown that began in March of 2020, and the multitude of early outs that took place during their junior year as the world continued to battle COVID.

The pair ended their speech by asking their fellow classmates to recall some of their best days from high school – their “top ten days.”

“This day?” Spore asked as she rounded out the speech, “Top ten.”

Following Spore and Hanson, Superintendent Travis Fleshner provided comments – his final time doing so as he has accepted a job as the Aplington-Parkersburg superintendent beginning in July – after which high school principal Jason Toenges also provided comments.

The band then played a heartwarming compilation of songs from the classic public television show Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood titled “Neighbors.”

PHOTO BY RUBY F. BODEKER

After the band’s performance, Toenges announced several senior awards including the “most representative students” of the Class of 2022, TJ Freeland and Laura Rempe. Toenges then began the conferring of the diplomas with assistance from high school counselor Amy Kriz, Superintendent Fleshner, and Union school board members Corey Lorenzen, Reid Carlson, Maureen Hanson, and Jenna Scott.

After turning to face the audience and moving their tassel from right to left as a class in customary celebration, the newly-minted Union High School Class of 2022 made their way outside to the front lawn to form a reception line.

Scholarship and Recognition Night

On Wednesday, May 11, 23 Union High School seniors were honored during the school’s annual Senior Scholarship and Recognition Night. Total scholarships awarded during the event amounted to $83,850 excluding college-specific merit scholarships.

During the awards ceremony, Union senior Gabriel Jesse received the Iowa Governor’s Scholar Recognition Award for outstanding academic achievement. Jesse was also honored at the 20th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony on May 1, 2022, at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. The statewide program, sponsored by the Iowa Governor’s Office, Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), honored 419 high school seniors from across Iowa.

The Union Concert Choir performs during the graduation ceremony held in the high school gym in La Porte City on Sunday, May 22, under the direction of Casey Tecklenburg. –Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Union High School Class of 2022 graduate Sadie Hennings gives a thumbs up after receiving her diploma on Sunday, May 22, in the high school gym. –Photo courtesy of Krystal Schmitz

Union High School Class of 2022 graduate Gabriel Jesse shakes school board president Corey Lorenzen’s hand after receiving his diploma on Sunday, May 22, in the high school gym. –Photo courtesy of Krystal Schmitz