June 27, 1998
DuQuoin, Illinois
Du Quoin High School
'Class of '98' Solo Inspires DHS Grads At Baccalaureate
DU QUOIN - When they were authoring the program for Sunday's Baccalaureate services at the First Baptist Church, senior David Zettler told the class sponsor and administrators to make an addition.
He wanted to sing a song he put together called "Class of '98", the lyrics borrowed from a similar song--the new words his own.
Zettler is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Zettler of Tamaroa. He is a good student, has a strong character, but by his own admission is not a "performer." But, he had a message for his fellow classmates and he wanted to deliver it in song. By the time he was finished, classmates sat awe-struck. Some cried. When finished, he received a long and resounding standing ovation.
It was an inspired baccalaureate service, a traditional church service which prepares graduates for commencement exercises on Friday at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. Pastor Charles Hoekstra of the First United Methodist Church in Du Quoin delivered the message and it set the mood for commencement week.
Hoekstra told students and their parents that they will face five challenges in the coming months and years: the crisis of identity, the crisis of growth, the crisis of romance, the crisis of vocation and the crisis of their philosophy of life. The theme was straightforward: believe in yourself.
Sunny skies marked the beginning and end to the service, but students sat inside the beautiful First Baptist Church in a rainstorm.
The program for the hour-long traditional service included an organ prelude and processional by Gary Scruggs of the First Baptist Church. Senior handbell choir member Meredith Montgomery performed a solo, accompanied by Jacqueline Woosley entitled "It Is Well and My Soul."
The congregation sang "Worthy of Worship" followed by an invocation by Rev. Max Borah, pastor of the First United Methodist Church. Rev. Robert Dickerson, pastor, First Baptist Church, delivered the welcome.
Following the congregational hymn "Majesty", seniors Lee Emery, Cory Swink, Sarah Eichhorn, Sarah Mathis and Isaac Davison performed a choral scripture reading.
Class president Isaac Davison delivered a prayer for graduates after the congregational singing of "Shine, Jesus Shine."
Sarah Eichhorn, Meredith Montgomery, Sarah Mathis and Renee Prusacki played "Standing on the Promises, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" on flute.
Following Dr. Hoekstra's message "Crisis and Challenge" from Ecclesiastes 12:1-14, David Zettler sang his "Class of '98", and the service concluded with a benediction by Rev. Lon McPherson, pastor of Liberty Church and the processional by Gary Scruggs.
Attending the service is not mandatory because it is a religious service, but the majority of graduates were in attendance.
The tentative list of graduates includes the following:
Boys -- Timothy Abel, Mike Allabastro, Matt Benson, John Bierman, Benjamin Borah, Christopher Boyd, Chris Bratten, Steven Coleman, Nathaniel Crain, Gary Culpepper, Isaac Davison, John DeMarie, Matthew Dintelman, James Doerschuck, Jeremiah Dunmyer, Chris Elder, Lee Emery, Jonothan Fish, Michael Fleming, Henry Foster, Jeffrey Green, Chad Harris, Anthony Howell, Paul Jenkins, William Jones, John Kelley, Ryan Lively, Jeffrey Mason, Andre McBride and Michael McCrary.
Also, Zachary Miller, Jerimi Musselman, Bhavesh Patel, Jason Ping, Joseph Poole, Jonathan Provart, Shannon Pursell, Chad Reams, Miles Reidelberger, Frank Rimnac, Andrew Ritter, Jon Schwengel, Chad Sims, John Stanhouse, Matthew Stanley, Dan Stevenson, John Stier, Joseph Swallers, Cory Swink, John Vancil, Jeremy West and David Zettler.
Girls -- Tonya Anselment, Larissa Barber, Emily Brock, Stephane Cole, Amber Crain, Nikki Cucchi, Debra Durkota, Sarah Eichhorn, Jacqueline Fager, Jessica Fager, Sarah Fleming, Stefanie Foster, Wendy Freeman, Alyssa Harsy, Shannon Harsy, Susan Hawkins, Michele Hines, Sarah Hunter, Leslie Kowzan, Michelle Loiacono, Bonnie Martie, Sarah Mathis, Angela McRoy, Amanda Mitchell, Tracy Monett, Meredith Montgomery.
Also, Marie Moore, Andrea Murry, Brittany Murry, Thresa Norris, Josie O'Rourke, Caryn Parrish, Donna Phipps, Renee Prusacki, Amanda Race Ashley Reel, Josephine Riggio, Miranda Russell, Catherine Schubert, Stephanie Seibert, Lisa Smith, Jennifer Stanley, Michelle Stanton, Amanda Stern, Megan Stombaugh, Kelly Toler, Heather Weis, Amie Wyciskalla and Kasie Yancey.
Following the baccalaureate exercises, parents sponsored a reception and dance at the American Legion. The evening featured a hypnotist, magician, a night of music and a beautiful buffet catered by Dyel's of Benton, Ill.
- BY JOHN H. CROESSMAN
Du Quoin Evening Call
