Waynesfield-goshen sees 36 graduate in class of 2022
Waynesfield-goshen School officials congratulated 36 graduates, watching as they turned their tassels and accepted their diplomas Sunday.
Savannah Spain was the 2022 Salutatorian and thanked students, parents and staff.
“We finally made it,” Spain said. “As a class we have been faced with
many obstacles, but we have overcome every single one to be here today.
“No matter how excited you are to get out of this place, do not forget the hard work you have done over the past 13 years. You are a
smart and talented group of people and you should all be proud of yourselves,” she said.
The past four years have gone by in the blink of an eye.
Spain pointed out that 24 out of 36 graduates have a 3.0 GPA or
higher. A total of 19 students have a GPA higher than 3.5.
“If that doesn’t represent determination I don’t know what will,” Spain said.
Waynesfield had four valedictorians; each addressed the class.
Ryleigh Bigelow recalled how their achievements started at Waynesfield-goshen with classrooms full of new faces, which became friends and some like family.
Bigelow was thankful for support from teachers and school staff.
She said fellow students, parents and the community have shaped them into who they are today.
“Graduation is not the end goal it is just the start of a larger journey,” Bigelow said.
Alec Spangler called teachers the backbones of society as they teach the skills for every single job.
To put things in perspective, he broke down just how long ago they
started their academic journey in 2009. That is a total of 4,658 days, which he broke down into over 4.2 million seconds of school.
Spangler said those numbers make him feel old, but still remembers playing cops and robbers on the playground.
In high school, he said, freshman year was spent trying new sports, musicals and making memories.
Sophomore year some of them started getting jobs, and began to drive. Junior year was close to normal as they removed masks.
“All in all our class has made some amazing memories,” Spangler said.
“We are becoming musicians, teachers, Doctors, athletic trainers
and actuaries. Some of us are still figuring it out and that’s okay too,”
Spangler said encouraging them to keep their path going and help others along the way.
Cole Steinke focused on the pursuit of happiness, which he called a subjective goal. He said other peoples successes don’t diminish your own.
“Your failures in life do not mean you are failing at life,” Steinke said. “Failure at some point in time is inevitable.” He encouraged classmates to keep moving forward to achieve their happiness.
He said success can be defined in many ways including being a good parent or giving back to the community.
“We don’t all need a million dollars to be successful,” Steinke said. “Money by itself is never truly satisfying.”
Steinke said goals are important but making them all important causes people to loose sight of what they did to get there.
“If we don’t appreciate the process, we are flat out wasting our time,” Stienke said.
He thanked the class for helping him find happiness at Waynesfield-goshen everyday.
Molly Zechman recalled major milestones and changes in her life as she attended Waynesfield-goshen such as breaking bones, and learning to drive.
“Change is apart of our everyday lives,” Zechman said noting tomorrow some will start work.
She said they learned how to make new friends, new life skills.
This will be a time for us to grow and find our place in the world,” Zechman said. “Here is the thing
about being young. We don’t have to know yet. We have the time and opportunity to change.”
Waynesfield Goshen recognized Frank Ulrey for the annual Friend
of W-G award. Ulrey graduated from Waynesfield in 1977.
“Frank is a constant communicator. He is one of the most social individuals I’ve ever met. He has been incredibly supportive of the
school and community,” Superintendent Tim Pence said. “He sees value in the concept of paying it forward and making a difference in the school community.”
Ulrey coached youth baseball for many years and served on the Waynesfield Athletic Boosters and assisted with the track program at one point.
Pence said Ulrey’s true labor of love was W-G football. He spent time researching old newspapers
and compiling a history of their football team.
He called Ulrey’s efforts “truly remarkable.”
Waynesfield also honored distinguished alumni, Ron People, who was a part of the 1965 graduating
class. Pence said former superintendent Chris Pfister had nominated Pepple. Ron attended Bowling Green University and received a
bachelors in music education. Pepple served in the U.S. Air Force from December 1969 and managed supplies.
He took his first teaching job after exiting the Air Force at Benjamin Logan Middle School as a music teacher.
In 1976 he became a principal at upper Sciota Valley Schools. He began a program for computer instruction at the middle school level.
He wrote several competitive grants during his time there receiving $178,000 impacting student learning.
Pence called Pepple a prolific grant writer.
“Ron estimates he brought in over $1 million via grant writing to his schools throughout his career,” Pence said. Pepple also worked for Hardin County ESC as a director
of staff development. His grant writing supported an increase in
special education, especially when it came to literacy.
He also served as Auglaize County’s ESC Superintendent for 10 years, also managing finances
and staff which grew from 37 to 140 employees. Pence said Pepple
raised the funds for their current location near the Auglaize County Fairgrounds.
He is active with Wayne-goshen and Wapakoneta Community Foundations and a former member of the Auglaize County Library
board. Pence called him a driving force behind the Wayne-goshen Historical Society.
Pepple credited his accomplishments to his parents and teachers who cared enough to set standards
of performance. One of those was Gene This. Pepple recalled a teacher who was known for paddling
students after 10 strikes. Pepple recalled earning eight early on and going through the year with the paddle in mind.
Pepple said he learned to read after an eye exam in his sophomore year of high school after being taken aside by a concerned principal.
He encourage students to thank everyone who made a significant difference in their life.
He also gave credit to his wife, Marsha and his family.
“Your success and happiness in life is based on the choices you
make. Most times these choices come with some sacrifice. So as you formulate your life decisions
ask yourself the magic question where do you want to be in five years, in 10years, at retirement?” Pepple asked, “How are you going to get there?”
He wished them happiness and success.