More than 350 graduates crossed the stage at high school commencement ceremonies in Arkansas City and Winfield Sunday.
Whipping winds were the only villain to make it past increased security at festivities in Winfield.
On a gusty but mild day, nearly 190 Viking seniors received a diploma during afternoon ceremonies at Sonner Stadium on the campus of Southwestern College. It was a celebratory end to a tense week in which school officials dealt with a handful of bomb threats that led to the emptying of the middle and high schools Friday.
A few extra security officers and entry-point baggage checks did little to take from the pomp and circumstance of the afternoon. Cheering for the graduates seemed as lively as ever.
The students themselves gave a burst of celebration when Principal Gregory Rinehart informed them they were minutes away from being outside the supervision of the school district for the first time in a long time.
Among Sunday’s seniors was 83-year-old Harold “Dusty” Rhodes. The Navy veteran received an honorary diploma, and a salute from USD 465 superintendent Marvin Estes.
Rhodes attended Dexter High School but left early in 1941 to serve in the military and never received his diploma. Estes, a former Navy officer, learned Rhodes had been scheduled to receive his diploma but did not.
Rhodes works part-time at Lowell Elementary and because of that Estes arranged for him to receive his diploma in Winfield Sunday. He was dressed in the same blue cap and gown as the other graduates and borrowed from New York Yankee great Yogi Berra when asked for words of wisdom to pass onto students.
“If you don’t know where you’re going,” he said. “You’ll never get there.”
There was one small break in the calm of the day. A helium filled balloon, among a cluster caught up in power lines above Sonner Stadium, popped loudly during the ceremony, causing a few gasps from the crowd.
In Arkansas City, barbecue smoke and flashing cameras dotted the neighborhoods at celebration parties for the town’s graduates. A large crowd gathered at Curry Field for ceremonies that kicked off at 2 p.m., the same time as those in Winfield.
Lynlea Bartlett was among the170-plus Ark City seniors to walk across the stage and pick up her diploma. Just as the ceremony ended she hugged family and friends and posed for a few quick pictures with her fellow seniors.
In all, 184 Ark City students were eligible for graduation, though some did not participate in commencement ceremonies, according to a spokesperson for USD 470.
After speaking briefly with a reporter Bartlett moved quickly to catch up with friends quickly leaving her behind in a quest to continue celebrating.
“You better wait for me,” she said.
