European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 12, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Special assignment graduation 91 members of the last graduating class of Ulm High school Germany turn their tassels in unison at the close of fridays ceremony. 5&s Michael Avromia final Farewell last class graduates at Ulm by Jimi Jones education writer a Lenora Guillermo was Only a few sentences into her valedictory address Friday when her voice cracked and the pent up emotion overflowed in the form of tears. But with Strong determination she took a deep breath a brushed aside the tears and speech of. Thanks thoughts and future endeavours a v. Guillermo of emotion set the tone for the. 50-minute ceremony that was As emotion packed As any graduation. And then some. A ten years ago Ulm High school graduated its first. Class of 10 students. On Friday the school in Neu Ulm Germany graduated its largest 34, and its last. Ulm High is the first american High school to close in Germany As a result of planned military base closures. Ulm elementary school also closed its doors Friday to american. Kindergarteners through sixth graders. Quot i Don t want it to close but i have no Choice Quot said graduating senior Donny Juan who will celebrate his 18th birthday in june 24. Quot but it is exciting to be the last class of the first base to we might All go our different ways but Well always remember because we were the final a class said Dary Grote 17. Quot it makes you feel kind of Good that a it s not just graduation but the last one. It s like an Honor one you will always . A a Ulm like Many american schools in Europe took. Advantage of its surroundings and held its a a commencement in the City of Ulm s handsome downtown Korn Haus auditorium. To music provided by the High school band the seniors marched Down both sides of the auditorium to Center stage boys in red Robes and girls in White. The final class featured two valedictorians Guillermo and Jeff Brockmann and two salutatorian Jeri Wisdom and Bianca Kotowski. Their speeches were Short and 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. A Quot i be been Here so Long. It s my Home Quot Kotowski said in an Ulm is closing saddens the 17-year-old. Quot i Don t want to leave but life goes can t change the fact that Ulm is going to when Brockmann Learned of the school s shutdown he was Quot really upset Quot he said. Quot i be calmed Down a bit now that things started to fall together As we re going next year.�?�. 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 to been before Quot the 18-year-old said. Quot i would love to have come Back with Ulm s closing his parents Are transferring within the overseas school system. 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 Gordon Gartner said. Diplomas were presented by it. Col. John c. Heim Thea amps Michaal Abrom 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. 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 would t Stop. Quot they re like my children Quot she said later. Parents too were sentimental about the final. Ceremony. 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
