By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

There were tears, high-fives, hugs and broad smiles of joy as the 132 members of the Dexter High School Class of 2012 took a big leap on Friday evening, accepting their diplomas and welcoming life after high school.

With the Bearcat Event Center parks with proud parents, families, friends and teachers, the Class of 2012 entered to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” processional from the DHS Band.

Welcoming guests and graduates, Dexter superintendent Dr. Thomas Sharp called the class “remarkable” – to the cheers and applause of the joyous class.

“Together, they have earned approximately 7290 A’s, 3168 B’s, some C’s and D’s, and there no F’s – especially have three or more teats,” Sharp, drawing laughs and applause from the crowd. “This class has been deemed the ‘most social’ in many years.”

Sharp relayed that classmates would give each other “running high fives” in the hallways and that is was an “accident prone” class that found their way to the nurses offices throughout their career in all four district buildings – with scraped knees, twisted ankles, busted noses, and broken bones.

“It must have been a competitive class,” Sharp concluded. He said classmates were competitive with one another on everything from academic class work to product sales and projects.

“These students have accomplished very much,” he said. “They are a remarkable bunch.

Tops in the class academically were two young people who nt only excelled in the classroom, but in athletics and activities at DHS.

Valedictorian for the Class of 2012 is Lauren Ward daughter of David and Joy Ward. Lauren graduated with a grade point average of 4.2828.  She was in the Top Ten Percent of the class all four years in high school, and was a member of the Dexter Honor Society, of which she was secretary. In addition, Lauren has been a member of Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Teachers of America, Student Council, Rowdy Gals, and she played on the girls basketball team  for two years and the volleyball team for four years.

Ward plans to attend Missouri State University and obtain an undergraduate degree in biology and then attend medial school.

Salutatorian is Tyler Miller, son of Travis and Tracy Miller. Travis graduated with a grade point average of 4.1765. He was in the Top Ten Percent of the class of four years in high school, a member of the Dexter Honor Society, vice president of his junior class and Senior Class President. He earned Academic All-State in football his junior and senior year and Academic all State in basketball his senior year, and received the 2012 DHS Math and Science Faculty awards.  Tyler was in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, played football all four years, and was second team All-State and received the Bland Award his senior year; he played basketball all four years and was 2012 Stoddard County Athletic Association Player of the Year; he also played tennis for four years and was a qualifier for the state tournament for three years.

Miller plans to attend Missouri State University and major in mathematics.

In his salutatorian address, Miller chose a somewhat unique method of delivery. With a little backstage assistance from junior Joseph Greer, Miller “rapped” his address, rhythmically rhyming his remarks, noting the progress the class made through the years. He closes his remarks reflecting on the traditional “Senior Countdown” in the upstairs hallway at DHS.

The “countdown” is a long-standing DHS tradition, counting down seniors’ days left before graduation.

This year’s final entry in the countdown recounted the past – and the future for the Class of 2012. Miller said:

“We’ve waited for this day for 18 years. We spent 13 of those in school. Our lives are about to change. From napping in Kindergarten, cooties in Center, spending Bearcat Bucks in Middle School, being those awkward Freshmen that have bloomed into the crazy fun Seniors we are today. This is our day, our time to shine. It’s time to show the world that we are ready to go out and be whatever we want. Our future is closer than we think … and, we our future states today.”

Like Miller, Ward gave recognition to her family and friends in her valedictory address.

“I honestly never thought I would be standing here in this position,” she said in opening her remarks. She recalled driving to school with her friends on the first day of their freshman year, and the fear she had – and one of her friends experienced – on that day, and how they wanted to turn back around and go back home that first morning.

“But we didn’t turn around, we didn’t die” and the friends successfully made it through four years of high school to graduation day.

Quoting Dr. Suess, Ward continued her remarks by paying tribute to her classmates.

“I want you all to know that I am better for knowing each of you,” she said. “Don’t be afraid. You are greater than you think, stronger than you think, smarter than you believe. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.”

She concluded with Scripture:  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:10-12)

DHS Class of 2012

Class Officers

• Student Body President – Jenny Blattman
• Senior Class President – Jessica Snider
• Vice-President – Hannah Sandage
• Secretary – Sarah Langley
• Treasurer – Kaitlyn Yates

Class Advisors

Jennifer Miller, Judy Patterson, Tim Dickens, Leanne Dooley, Katrina Kluesner, Krystal Hobgood, Ann Polsgrove, Alana Dowdy, Amy Simmons, Clinton Twaddell, Rick Schwab

• Class Colors – Red and Black
• Class Flower- White Rose
• Class Song – “Good Riddance” by Green Day
• Class Motto – “Cherish yesterday, dream of tomorrow, and live for today.”

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