Senior Autumn Powers doesn’t plan to waste much time after she graduates from Medora High School on Friday night.
“After I graduate and get back from the senior trip, I am going to get a job, save up and then move,” the 18-year-old said.
The Medora native and her eight classmates are scheduled to receive their diplomas during the school’s 125th commencement ceremony in the high school gymnasium at 82 S. George St., Medora. The service starts at 7:30 p.m.
She said her mother, Melissa Goen, played a major role in helping her complete her education.
“She has pushed me through every year of school,” Powers said.
History teacher Reuben Nehrt also leaned on her a lot in high school.
“He pushes me and the other students to get our work done,” she said. “He motivates and also pushes us to do better in our life after school.”
Powers said DELTA Club, which she joined in ninth grade, also made a big difference in her education and was something she liked.
“It’s basically an after-school program for high-schoolers,” she said.
The club provided homework help and plenty of extracurricular activities.
“DELTA Club helps a lot of students,” Powers said. “In DELTA Club, you could learn life skills.”
She also joined the school’s FFA chapter in eighth grade and has remained in it throughout high school. Her class actually helped build the chapter’s greenhouse and grow lab, Powers said.
She said her favorite school subject was creative writing.
“I liked writing stories, and with creative writing, I got to tell stories and gain more knowledge of writing,” Powers said.
Playing wiffle ball in gym class is one of the favorite memories she will take away from her days at one of the smaller schools in the state.
“It was fun, and I got to move around a lot,” she said. “We would play wiffle ball a few times a month when we had PE.”
Powers said she liked attending a small school.
“You can get one-on-one time with the teachers, and they are helpful all around,” Powers said.
At this time, Powers said she is not considering any postsecondary education.
“I am just going to try to get a high-paying job so I can save up and go,” Powers said.
She said she and a friend plan to move in together but haven’t found a place to live yet.
After marching into the gymnasium Friday night, senior class Vice President Jared Starr will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and Kaitlyn Cobb will follow with prayer.
The senior welcome will be given by senior class President Jaylen Spence. He also is valedictorian.
Salutatorian Keyla Newby will then speak, followed by Spence’s address.
School board President Joe Campbell is then set to speak, followed by the presentation and acceptance of the class by Superintendent Roger Bane. Campbell will then distribute diplomas.
Commencement will end with Spence leading the turning of the tassels, followed by the recessional.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Powers file” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Autumn Powers
Age: 18
Hometown: Medora
Residence: Medora
School activities: DELTA Club, FFA
Future plans: Find a job
Family: Mother, Melissa Goen; sister, Shalakah Goen; brother, Dylan Goen
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: Medora High School graduation
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Gymnasium at Medora High School, 82 S. George St., Medora
Who: Nine members of the Class of 2021
[sc:pullout-text-end]