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Valley Home News
May 26, 2010
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The multipurpose room at Valley Home School became a western setting on Wednesday evening, May 19th as a background for the eighth grade graduation ceremony. Western saddles and blankets displayed on a fence and containers of garden plants provided a setting on one side of the graduate seating, with benches, cowboy hats, lariats and colorful plants decorating the opposite side of the setting.   As the first notes of the traditional Pomp and Circumstance by Elgar sounded, the procession of graduates advanced to the ceremony site.

Melissa Koppinger, Garret Bryhni and Hunter Willett stepped up to the podium and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, doing a fine job in spite of the fact that no flag was in evidence. Principal Hart then offered a welcome to all. The Sam Hartsfield Memorial Award was presented in the absence of Mrs. Hartsfield to Lane Paxia.

Presidential Awards were presented by Ms. Vuyovich. Presidential Excellence Awards went to both Melissa Koppinger and to Melissa Thompson. Garret Bryhni and Jennifer Rodriguez both received both Presidential Achievement and Citizenship Awards. Aaron Velasco and Hunter Willett were both recipients of Presidential Achievement Awards.

Following the awards, each student advanced to the podium and introduced the one following them. Ms. Vuyovich, and Board of Trustee members, Richard Garcia and Ron Smith then began the Presentation of Diplomas to the graduates. Following the presentations, Melissa Thompson, Aaron Velasco and Melinda Koppinger advanced to the podium to offer the Class Farewell. The strains of Pomp and Circumstance sounded once again and the Class of 2010 made their exit.

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May 20th offered Valley Home students the opportunity to welcome summer vacation with a fun filled picnic hosted by the Valley Home PTC members.

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Valley Home friends were saddened to receive word that Beatrice Brooks passed away on May 19th at Oak Valley Hospital in Oakdale, she was 83 years old. She was an active and caring person, a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Seniors and Friends in Oakdale, as well as Community Sharing and the Gladys Lemmons Senior Center. Beatrice was preceded in death by her first husband, Frank James (Johnny) Vierra Sr. and second husband, Richard Brooks.   We offer our deepest sympathy to her family in their loss, especially to daughter, Billie Benedix of Valley Home.

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Happy Birthday wishes go this week to Glenn Burghardt whose birthday was May 24th, from his “Child Bride” Laura who won’t reach the same age until July 27th.

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Valley Home members of the Oakdale Historical Society and Oakdale Garden Club will gather with friends at the Oakdale Citizens’ Cemetery on Saturday morning to place over 550 American flags at the gravesites of veterans.

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The members of the Romain Schell Post 2922 Veterans Foreign Wars, Oakdale will present a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Oakdale Citizens’ Cemetery at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, May 31st. Everyone is invited to attend this service to honor our veterans.