European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 12, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Special assignment�91 members of the last graduating class of Ulm High school Germany turn their tassels in unison at the close of Friday s ceremony. Is. 5 Michael Abram a final Farewell last class graduates at Ulm by Jimi Jones education writer a. Enora Guillermo was Only a few sentences 1 i into her valedictory address Friday when her. Quot b voice cracked and the pent up emotion. Overt Lowed in the form of tears. A. A a a but with Strong determination she took a deep breath. A brushed aside the tears and completed her speech of thanks thoughts and future endeavours. A a. a. Guillermo s outbreak of the tone for the. 50-minute ceremony that was As emotion packed As any graduation. And then some. years ago Ulm High school graduated its first. Class of 10 students. On Friday the shoo in Neu him Germany graduated its largest 34, and its last Ulm High is the first american High school in Germany As a result of planned military base closures. Ulm elementary. School also closed its doors Friday to american. V kindergarteners through sixth graders. Quot i Don t want it but i have no Choice,1�?T said graduating senior Donny Juan who will celebrate his. 18th birthday on june 24. Quot but it is exciting to be the last class of the first base .�?�. V a a we might All go our different ways but Well always. Remember because we were the final Quot class said Darya. Grote 17, Quot it makes you feel kind of Good that s it s not just graduation but the last one. Its like an Honor one. You will always . A atm Ike Many american schools in Europe took advantage of its surroundings and held its a commencement in the City of Ulm a handsome downtown Korn Haus a a a a. A a a. A to music provided by the High school band the seniors marched sides of the auditorium to. A Center stage boys in red Robes and girls in white., class featured two valedictorians Guillermo and Jeff Brockmann. And two salutatorian Jen Wisdom and Bianca Kotowski. Their speeches were Short and a a direct each an individual outpouring of gratitude respect for change and the future the love of family friends a. Nurturing environment and a school they can never return to. Quot in be been Here so Long it s my Home Quot Kotowski. Said in an interview that Ulm is closing saddens the 17-year-old. Quot i Don t want to leave but life goes on. I. Can t change the fact that Ulm is going ,&Quot a. When Brockmann Learned of the school s shutdown he was,."really upset Quot he said Quot i Down a bit now that things started to fall together As to where we re. Going next he will be off to the University of Minnesota this fall and instead of Holiday visits to Ulm he will visit his teacher parents Quot someplace i Haven t been before Quot the 18-year-old said. Quot i would love to have come Back with Quot. Ulm a closing his parents Are transferring within the overseas school system. ,. A. A emotion peaked when members of the class of .1991 received their diplomas. The time had come when the full House of family friends and other Well wishers could. Show their Joy and Pride As the students accepted their. Diplomas indicating they had Quot met and overcome life s first great Challenge Quot As principal said. Diplomas were presented by it. Col. John 0. Heim the. A amps Michorl Abram Esperanza Pequeno receives her diploma and a handshake from it col. John Helm. Community commander and senior class sponsor Denise King who led the seniors through All senior activities. A a. A a a a a a King got a warm hug or a kiss on the Cheek from nearly every passing student and alternated Between handing diplomas to Heim and taking a tissue from her pocket to wipe the tears that Stop. Quot they re like my children Quot she said later. Parents too were sentimental about the final. Ceremony. ,. A. A. Quot there were 32 Diplo Pas Given out Here tonight and i got two Quot said Robert Grote. His son Kevin and continued on Page 3 wednesday june 12, 1991 the stars and stripes a Page 1
