Press Release:

June 4, 2007

  WALTHER GRADUATION 2007

Walther Lutheran High School, 900 Chicago Avenue, Melrose Park, held its fifty-first annual graduation exercise on June 3, 2007. Sixty-eight seniors were presented with diplomas by Rev. Dr. Andrew Steinmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Walther Lutheran High School Association. The graduates, listed by hometown, and including future plans and declared scholarships are:

Mrs. Stacia Schmidt Taylor '62 delivered the graduation message. Other speakers and presenters for the ceremony included Miss Amy Bredehoft and Mr. Joel Saeedi, Co-Valedictorians; Mr. Frederick Rose II, Senior Class President; Mr. Jerl Fields, President, National Honor Society President and Mr. Lorenzo Patrick, National Achievement Scholarship Winner.

Mr. Stephen P. Zielke, Principal, presented the graduates and announced special awards, recognitions, and scholarships received by the members of the Class of 2007. The school colors of kelly green and white were reflected in the commencement attire of the graduates: the gowns were green and the caps were green with green and white tassels.

Graduates with membership in the National Honor Society wore traditional gold tassels. Those students who graduated with NHS recognition are Amy Louise Bredehoft, Laura Ruth Brendemuhl, Lindsay Nicole Clauss, Daniel Philip Diliberto, Jerl Maurice Fields, Walter Edward Fritz, Amanda Joanna Gehrke, Lamarcus Grayson, Stephen C. Green, Nathan Ryan Haras, Katherine S. Hemmann, Michael Christopher Hemmann, Ryan S. Heuser, Martha Marie Klein, Stephen Jonathon Korenchan, Lorenzo Lamarr Patrick, Frederick Mansfield Burton Rose II, Joel Cameron Saeedi, Janae Lavoris Sims and Elizabeth J. Sreniawski .

This is the tenth year that Scholars Diplomas have been awarded. The Scholars Program was designed to provide broader educational experiences for students capable of accepting a more challenging high school career, consisting of rigorous class schedules, educational field trips, special computer training and access, and additional college guidance assistance. Scholars are required to maintain a specific Grade Point Average (GPA), participate in extra-curricular activities, perform community service, present a spiritual message to the student body, maintain an academically challenging curriculum, and provide yearly essays. The 2007 Scholars Diplomas were presented to Amy Louise Bredehoft, Lindsay Nicole Clauss, Walter Edward Fritz, Stephen C. Green, Nathan Ryan Haras, Ryan S. Heuser, Martha Marie Klein, Lorenzo Lamarr Patrick, Joel Cameron Saeedi and Elizabeth J. Sreniawski, who each wore a gold rope to signify status as a Scholar.

Class of 2007 graduate Mr. Michael Hemmann was named as the recipient of The Peg Wolf Christian Service Award and Mrs. Stacia Schmidt Taylor '62 and Mr. D. Lyneir Richardson '84 were named as this year's Walther Top Grads, having been chosen by fellow graduates as representative of Walther alumni.

Walther's Wind Ensemble performed “The Grand March” processional and the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” under the direction of Mr. Richard Rose. Walther's A Cappella Choir led the hymn “Christ Be My Leader” and sang “May It Be” and “ A Benediction of St. Paul.” directed by Miss Lori Bormet.

Press Release contact: Lori Solyom, Public Information Coordinator