Pattonville Class of 2011 is School's 75th

The 312 graduates in the 75th commencement heard many words of wisdom on Thursday night at the St. Charles Family Arena.

They were told "if you can dream it you can do it," by their class president, Heather Sprengel, quoting Walt Disney. They were told there are two kinds of graduates, those from Pattonville, and those who wish they were from Pattonville, by Principal Sara Keene. The ceremony was Keene's last at the school.

Graduating senior Erica Ream told the crowd that every successful person was clueless when they started out, the difference, she said, is tenacity. Elijah Phillips, also a classmate, with his fist in the air, told them that they are from Pattonville, and they are the greatest generation. "Let's show the world what we can do!" he said.

Michael Fulton, superintendent of Pattonville schools, had to follow Phillips, and told them that it's easy to be scared, and it all depends on how they play their cards. And finally, Robert Dillon, president of the board of education told the graduates to enjoy creating their future.

Considering what many in the Pattonville Class of 2011 have had to endure, especially given the Good Friday Tornado damage, all of these messages seem especially poignant.

Four foreign exchange students were recognized and given American flags, and two veterans who were fighting a war and never received a high school diploma, were given a medal, a diploma, and an American flag.

Of the 312 graduates, 95 were either Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude. There were 166 graduates who were scholarship recipients.