Speeches & Awards

I assume so based on what many of you wrote in your graduation speeches. You see, parents and friends, we have a custom at Sturgis that every senior writes a graduation speech, and a committee of faculty chooses the two speeches that are most evocative of our Sturgis beliefs and values to be given at graduation; you will hear from Dolan Cameron and Mya Murphy, shortly. Our school counselors and I have had the pleasure of reading all the speeches, and I would like to continue our custom of sharing select passages from these speeches with you today.

When I call your name, please stand while I read your words aloud:

From Jared Cole

You’ve done it. You’ve written your last ever IA, you’ve sat your last ever IB exam, and you’ve answered your last ever “to what extent” question. (Let’s hope) You came to Sturgis knowing that it would be academically challenging, and in my experience, it delivered. And after all of those nights of working, cramming and stressing, it’s finally over. Seriously, give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve accomplished a lot over these past four years, whether it feels that way or not. 

From Chase Liimatainen

I remember the first day of school freshman year. My computer was propped up on a chair in my bedroom and I was cross legged on my bed anxiously fixing my hair so I would “look good on camera”. I clicked Join Meet, and was swept into my life at Sturgis. I remember coming back to school for the first time in May wearing our masks and sitting socially distanced from one another. I remember feeling like I should be writing all of this down, so I could share it with my own kids one day. I never did, but I had the pictures and videos with all my friends to remember the memories this school holds.

From Bryan Oliviera

Looking back to my first day at Sturgis, my first surprise was not only the size of the school and how welcoming people were, but also some simple things such as the fact that I could eat anywhere that I wanted - I could just enter a random room and spend my lunch there!

Another thing that surprised me was that at the beginning I was feeling pressured and lost thinking that everyone around me was so smart and focused and that I might never feel on the same level as them, but once I spent more time trying to know them a little better, I noticed that they were all as lost as me. And it was a relief to know we were all in this together.

From Elena Hyatt

But what each of us seniors here don’t realize is how we took it all for granted. The time flew by way too fast. I feel like I was just a freshman joining a zoom meet. Now I want to hit a rewind button and experience some of the best moments again....I was once a girl who was not enthusiastic about going through 4 years at this school. away from all my old friends. but what one hates, becomes what one loves, which becomes what one will soon miss.

From Bentley Sylvestre

Let us also remember those who have supported us along the way. Our families, friends, and mentors have been our pillars of strength, cheering us on and encouraging us to pursue our dreams. I’d like to thank my parents for inspiring me to keep trying and never give up, I’d like to thank my brothers for dreaming big and taking risks, I’d like to thank my teachers, Mr. Houston, Ms. Ward, Ms. Doherty and Mr. D for teaching me and never giving up on me and finally I’d like to thank my childhood hero, John Cena. 

From Maria Hlavaty

I'd say it's a culmination of things, bits and pieces of memories scattered along the way that remind me of why Sturgis is so unique. Perhaps it's my appreciation for the small school size, the fact that I can easily scout down 4 or 5 of my friends in the short time passing between classes. Or maybe it's the idea of independence and maturity that Sturgis encourages its students to embody, whether that be the privilege of an open-campus lunch or the liberty of establishing any student-led club possible. I had never encountered these specific values in a different school in the past, and compared to other places I could have gone, I’d say I went down a very rewarding path.

From Chris Nutbrown

To our teachers, you have been more than just educators; you have been mentors, guides, and champions of our growth and learning. No matter how many times you had to tell Gage to stop talking or tell James to put his phone away, you endured and remained dedicated. With unwavering passion, patience, and dedication, you have given us not just knowledge but also wisdom, instilling in us a thirst for learning, and a belief in our own potential. 

From Charlotte MacNamee

Although the culture of Sturgis encourages empathy, kindness, and open-minded thinking within the student body, these traits are not guaranteed in a student’s high school experience. Instead, the culture of a school is decided by each individual’s choice to uphold these values. When each student makes a conscious effort to champion such traits of respect the results can be seen in the class of 2024. 

From Kevin Sales

My experience with the IB taught me that nothing comes easily, and I enjoy that, because it showed me that life will be hard but I can always manage through it. The 3 things I have learned were that when you are scared to attempt something, that is the time you should always try, because the results will show more than no attempt at all. Another is that the blood, sweat, and tears along with the pride that you put into something will show greatly as a result of all the effort leading up to that point. The last thing I have learned being here is that life isn't about having the best grades – it's about the hustle that will truly make you successful.

From Colby Hall 

Now personally my school experience wasn't just all IB either, and I can picture many funny moments throughout the years from sports events, homecoming dances, spirit week, and field trips. I think it's fair to say that everyone here too remembers Bentley’s wonderful dizzy bat performance during spirit week or Mya (a fellow classmate) wiped half our grade out with a quarantine in tenth grade, which I guess only funny in hindsight, and in eleventh grade the not one but two times we got dismissed from school early due to our bathrooms “magically” not working.  

From Summer Nickerson

For some context - "This student even referenced our extraordinary eclipse viewing experience"

But sometimes, in the chaos of the universe and our lives, things fall into place, the sun goes dark, everything stands still for a moment and all we can do is stop, stare, and remember how beautiful the everyday bits of life can be.

That’s what graduation is, I guess. Things align for a moment and it’s supposed to be huge and so we all stop and stare at the sun—which is ourselves, but we’re also the ones staring so it isn’t exactly a perfect metaphor— and some of us burn our retinas because we have not prepared ourselves for this day in the slightest and nobody said the sun would actually be that bright but we still stumble through. Then, in the blink of an eye, it's over. The sun is just the sun again and we’re barreling through space and time. And so we stop and think about where we’re barrelling towards and why. 

If you’re like me, that freaks you out a bit. But if I have learned anything from my friends, classmates, and family, from the blessing of watching all of the little moments of their lives, every sunset, cloudy day, and solar eclipse, I’ve learned that being freaked out is the fun part. To live everyday, admiring the beauty of the new and the old and getting to choose which parts to hold onto even though it is overwhelming— that is a gift.

From Becca Vianna

But most importantly, Sturgis taught us an important lesson: that our journeys should not be perfect. Not only did we have a weird start to our high school career, we also felt like giving up numerous times, especially when Google Classroom reminded us that IA deadlines were approaching. So here is my piece of advice for life after today: don’t let the rough beginning of your journey nor the challenges that may come your way prevent you from getting to your final destination. Your path is not supposed to be perfect, but it is supposed to feel rewarding at the end. 

From Sid Leocadio

The International Baccalaureate defines a good character by the following traits:  inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open- minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective. I see every one of these traits within my peers. It is their strong minds and mighty characters that built me to be the person I am today. From my peers I have learned independence, confidence, acceptance, and admiration. Watching my peers grow in the past four years has been the most rewarding and surreal experience, and I am so grateful to have witnessed this. 

And finally, from Ben Bass

As we stand on the threshold of a new chapter, let us carry forward the lessons learned and memories cherished from our Sturgis journey. As we venture into the unknown terrain of adulthood, remember the power of resilience, adaptability, and community. Embrace challenges with courage, knowing that each stumble is an opportunity for growth, and each setback is a stepping stone to success. Let us never forget the laughter shared, the friendships forged, or the support of our teachers who have shaped us into who we are today. I have full confidence that each of you possesses the strength, determination, and resilience to navigate the path ahead with grace and purpose.

----

So, to the initial claim: today is a momentous day, I now add the rationale: because today is a culmination of the past four years where we have all chosen to live, think, and gather with great intentionality, care, and reflection. Students, faculty and family have made our collective Sturgis experience momentous, and today is a day to celebrate that accomplishment.

Just as all our seniors are graduating, so, too, are some of our faculty about to embrace their own new opportunities. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the following people for their commitment to our mission and our students:

Jim Albrecht, Mary Bellamy, Kaitlin Doherty, Ben Guibal, Tyler Hempel, Danielle Newcombe, Abby Rhoads, Tay Rooney.

Sturgis West class of 2024, congratulations, and thank you for choosing to see the best in each other and for making the most of yourselves. We hope that you always carry Sturgis in your hearts.

“I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean, whenever one door closes I hope one more opens, promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance, and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.”

To this day I have never been able to listen to it without getting choked up, so if you’d like a good cry on the way home, highly recommend it.

I also thought about how some of you just recently discovered I’m in fact a history teacher and not a counselor, while others amongst you have heard enough stories to write my biography. 

What else could I possibly say in five minutes that I haven’t said already in the last four years?

So at the end of the day, I decided to go back to the root of our time together at Sturgis by sharing one last History lesson.

I hope you remember the importance of PERSPECTIVE.

You experienced Sturgis together as the class of 2024, but your experiences were vastly different. Some of you began the journey remotely, some of you were hybrid, and some of you had to endure 9th grade history as a cohort of one. (Again, my apologies for that Ben.) You persevered through personal and academic challenges, you found joy in unexpected places and people along the way, but none of your journeys to the graduation stage were the same. You all have individual pages within a shared Sturgis story.

Aristotle is quoted as saying: “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

Whether it’s trying to better understand a loved one, or looking for insight into an opposing viewpoint in society, perspective is key to seeing the bigger picture the puzzle pieces are forming.

Similarly, I hope you remember the importance of EMPATHY

There is a rainbow of emotions under this tent right now, for both the graduates and those who love them. Some of you are excited for the next chapter, some of you are scared about the unknown of what‘s to come, some of you are just happy it’s over, and many of you are feeling all of those things and everything in between all at once. 

Every moment, past, present and future is full of the same emotional complexities, and they are all a valid and valuable part of understanding a narrative.

Kindness isn’t a weakness, anger is still an emotion, and you know more than you may think in any given situation just through empathizing with the people involved.

I also hope you remember the importance of seeing PATTERNS

In History, to strengthen our understanding of a topic at hand we often expand upon it through historical context and current events to look for, and learn from, the larger story of continuity and change. 

There are also lots of variations through space and time of the saying “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” because although the details may change, the themes remain the same.

Be observant, stay curious, push beyond other peoples’ analysis and lean into the connections you see for yourself. When someone shows you who they are - believe them, and when you notice a pattern of behavior, in your inner circle or wider world, believe yourself and act accordingly.

To this end, I hope you realize that AGE DOESN’T DICTATE YOUR TIMELINE.

In 1776 Monroe and Lafayette were 18 and Hamilton was 21, and yet they went to war against the British empire and helped found a country based upon revolutionary new ideas for government. John Lewis was just 23 when he spoke alongside MLK Jr at the March on Washington as chairman of SNCC.  Malala was only 17 when she became the youngest recipient of a Nobel peace prize for her courage standing against oppression. History has shown time and again that young people can make a difference. 

And on the other side of the hourglass, don’t buy into a sunk cost fallacy frame of mind that would have you believing you can’t redirect your energies and passions or evolve into another version of yourself. Thirteen years ago I walked away from a promotion and the only career my younger self had envisioned, and towards the profession I repeatedly asserted in college that I would never want - teaching. Days like this with students like you confirm it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

You are never too young to be the change you wish to see in the world, and never too old to start over in your pursuit of happiness and leaving a positive mark on the world. 

Finally, I hope you remember the importance and influence of GOOD LEADERSHIP

At the beginning of the year, my Senior classes looked at Machiavelli and the premise of whether it’s better for a ruler to be feared or loved, and the ways in which those emotions are used within the rise and maintenance of power. But the lesson extends well beyond an introduction to authoritarians, and can be applied to our daily lives as well.

You will all be in a position of leadership at some point, and many of you already have - be it in society, your workplace,on a team, with friends, or within your family - your voice and choices will impact others for better or worse, and with that power comes responsibility.

And as I have had my board since, remember the Machiavelli meets Michael Scott philosophy of “Do I want to be feared or loved? Neither, I want you to be afraid of how much you love me.”

Lead in a way that will inspire others to follow you. Fight for what you love, not just against what you hate. 

I know it's usually said sarcastically, but I genuinely hope you are proud of yourselves for this accomplishment and all of your personal victories along the way to achieving it.

I hope you remember the abundance of love and support surrounding you in this moment, and never forget how important you are to the people who matter most.

I hope you remember both the academic and life lessons from your time together at Sturgis. The feelings, the laughter, the IB tears, and the relationships you’ve grown.

I hope you remember my mantra to never let perfect be the enemy of good.

But more than anything, when you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.

Now that this list is out of the way, let’s talk about you and March 12, 2020. You were in the eighth grade. 

I know what you’re thinking: Oh, no, another COVID-themed graduation speech. 

Well, I didn’t promise I wouldn’t talk about COVID, but I do plan to make it relevant to my message. 

Today I invite you to consider the significance of your efforts, whether they come in the form of a quarter measure or a full measure. 

I’ll explain. 

As a ninth-grader in the fall of 2020, school started two weeks later than usual. And, when you finally began to attend school in the building, it was for one day out of 4 -- a quarter measure. 

Perhaps you worried during that first year that your quarter measure of education wouldn’t add up to enough to meet the Sturgis standards. One day a week seemed quite small.  It wasn’t easy building knowledge with a quarter measure. 

However, as you progressed through 9th grade those early small quarter measures eventually grew and you were able to be provided that full measure of education over 5 days a week rather than one. Each effort and contribution you made moved you along in your Sturgis journey to bring you to this day. 

You committed yourselves and took advantage of what Sturgis has offered as a foundation to build a future upon. Today is proof of your commitment. 

Though today represents the end of one journey - it is - and perhaps much more importantly - the beginning of a new one. You’ll be able to utilize your full measure of education.  

Your education has shaped your mind; now use your full measure to teach others in a cooperative manner. 

Your education has built your character; now use your full measure to support others in making good decisions. 

Your education has developed your academic and creative talents; now use your full measure to inspire others.

What you do with your full measure is as vast and limitless as the ocean. 

Are any of you fearful that you didn’t receive a full measure of education due to COVID and other circumstances? Are you afraid you won’t measure up? 

First, I remind you that YOU are about to graduate as a successful candidate of the demanding International Baccalaureate program. You’ve accomplished much.

Secondly, be assured, abundant opportunities lie ahead. What’s important is how you manage your beliefs and behaviors and use them to build your futures. 

….Let me tell you a TRUE story to illustrate my point. 

A young man was having difficulty during his junior year in high school and was close to dropping out. However, he promised his mother he would take the SAT exam. He didn't have high expectations due to his subpar academic record. The next month he and his mother were surprised to learn he had received a score of 1480 out of 1600, which appeared unusual for someone who had been struggling and failing academically. And, no he didn’t cheat.

Now, this insight of being a 1480 student - prompted a transformation in the young man. With a new-found belief in himself, he started attending classes regularly his senior year and changed his behavior. His teachers, noticing the change, began seeing him in a new light, and teaching him differently, which further encouraged him. He graduated, attended a community college, eventually transferred to Wichita State and then an Ivy League university, becoming a successful magazine entrepreneur.

Fast forward a dozen years after graduating high school. He received a letter from Princeton, New Jersey, informing him that there had been an error in his SAT score. The actual score he had received was a 740 out of 1600, not the impressive 1480 he had believed. 

Reflecting on this revelation, he realized that his life had flourished, not because of the score itself, but because he began to believe and behave like a person who had achieved something extraordinary. He started feeling worthy. 

His belief in himself influenced his behavior and together those became the true catalysts for his future success. Past actions or feelings no longer defined him. 

This story illustrates the power of belief and positive behavior, emphasizing  that our success follows the actions we take to achieve it. 

To be clear, I’m not just talking about positive THINKING, but also ACTING in ways that align with the goals you set for yourselves. View  yourselves worthy rather than focusing on perceived limits to your capabilities or circumstances.  Adopt the mindset that your character and work are reflective of 7/7 marks, to use IB terminology. 

BE that grad who believes and behaves like you are worthy of a 1480 SAT score. More importantly, BE that STURGIS GRADUATE who successfully challenged the I.B. program. You have earned the right to say - not only to yourself - but to the world, I AM A GRADUATE OF AN INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE SCHOOL. I AM STURGIS! 

Believing that you are worthy of this moment can and will shape your future.

Confidently carry your full measure of education into the world. Success awaits.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK CLASS OF 2024! 

THANK YOU!

As I look back on my time here at Sturgis, I find it funny that it all happened by chance. I remember my mom signing me up for some school lottery because Hey, If you don’t like it you can always go back to your old school.  To think that many of my fondest memories and some of the best people that I know come from winning a lottery. When my mom first told me I got in, my initial thought was well too bad it wasn’t the good kind of lottery. Standing here today, 4 years later, I realize  that I did win the lottery, and while it wasn’t the “good kind” it was the best kind, as the people I have met and the memories that I have made through my time here at Sturgis are more valuable than any amount of money, (and trust me I’ve had three different HL Business teachers.)

Four years. Did I say that right? We arrived here at Sturgis four  short years ago, and now it’s already time to leave. Time flew by faster than Elliot in the parking lot. (That was a simile, did you guys catch that?  Shoutout Ms. Rhoads, I told you I was paying attention.)

On a more serious note, It seems like it was only yesterday that we came to Sturgis as mere profile pictures. We struggled with GoogleMeet, “wifi troubles”,  and silent breakout rooms (unless Brady was singing of course). But this silence was loud, louder than Kevin’s car even.  This was the sound of a bunch of 14 year olds who were in a new school, learning in a new environment, surrounded by new faces.  We were nervous but we were brave, willing to face whatever challenges this new school held for us.

Little did we know that these challenges would consist of countless IB acronyms that felt like looking into a bowl of alphabet soup, whether it was TOK, IA’s, EE, or CAS, we never ceased to be confused.  Now for the parents; raise your hands if on countless occasions, you would sit there after asking your child what they did in school today, and blankly nod as they rambled on and complained about random acronyms that you knew you had no hope of ever learning (See mom you’re not alone).  This is how many of us spent our time in the IB, staring lifelessly as Mr. Aiken tried to explain discrete energy for the third time, or as Pags taught his 9 victims in HL Math how to find the Maclaurin series for cosine. No matter how many times they told us *don’t fall in*, at some point in our time here at Sturgis we all fell in. Whether we did poorly on a test, turned in an assignment late, or maybe even ended up crying in the bathroom, at some point we all failed. But that's okay, because we bounced back.

As we all go our separate ways, we are united not in our futures but in our pasts. Whether you are heading off to college, joining the military, going into a trade, or even trading crypto full time, let me offer you this advice;  Take what you have learned in your four years here at Sturgis and apply it to the rest of your life.  No, not how to structure a question four mini essay or how to conjugate etre in the future tense, rather, take the dedication, resilience, and curiosity that you have learned through your time here and apply it to your career.

I advise you to seek what you truly desire in life and set goals outlining what success in this field would look like, whether that is financial gain, love, or genuine happiness.  Once you have this outline for success, attack these goals with intensity and dedication.  Will there be difficulties along the way, yes.  But if there's one thing that I know about us as a group, it is that we are resilient.  We can overcome whatever life throws at us as long as we give life our all.  So go out there and chase your dreams with everything that you’ve got. “Quod bonum, faustum, felix fortunatumque sit” meaning may the outcome be good, prosperous, lucky, and successful, for all of you who didn’t pay attention in Latin.

Thank you, and congratulations to the Sturgis West graduating class of 2024.  

The class of 2024 didn’t have the smoothest high school career. As Murphy’s law states, anything that can go wrong will go wrong. As a Murphy I can tell you, there is a lot of truth to this law. This statement is relatable not only for me but also for the class of 2024. Whether it was freshman year over google meet, half days due to “plumbing issues”, losing spirit week to the juniors our senior year - which I didn’t even think was possible - , or all the seniors getting deathly ill at Model UN and Maddy definitely not throwing up in a plastic plant. When we were thrown in the face of adversity, we didn't just survive – we thrived. We found humor in the absurdity of our situations, laughing together even when the odds seemed stacked against us. And while setbacks may have tested our resilience, they only served to strengthen our bonds and fuel our determination. These moments have created some of my best friendships, and I have Sturgis to thank for that.

A lot of you probably don't know this but I play golf. In my eyes high school is like a round of golf. High school, much like golf, is a game of strategy and skill. Just as a golfer carefully plans each shot, navigating the course with precision, we too have navigated the twists and turns of high school, carefully planning our next moves to achieve our goals. The first 9 holes represent our freshman and sophomore year, approached with a sense of ease which was quickly swept away by reality. Attending freshman year almost all online was not for the faint of heart. It was intimidating trying to meet new people through a screen. Thankfully everything worked out and we are all sitting here today because we didn’t give up when times got hard. We lifted each other up and made each other better.

Some say the best part about golf is the pitstop at the snack shack. This is a time to enjoy your snacks and build connections with your playing partners while you reflect on the previous nine holes. This reminds me of some fun times, like when JHyer brought in his famous Chilli, or Ms. Milligan bribing us with cookies to turn our assignments in on time, or Ms. Curran having waffle labs during long block. The simple act of sharing food, a “literary communion” like Ms. Rhoads taught us, allowed for deeper connections to be built. These moments fostered conversation, laughter, and support for one another, making our small class even closer than we were before.

Now that we’ve made the turn it’s time for the most grueling part of the round, the last nine holes. You see, just as the back nine of a golf course presents the more challenging holes which require greater skill and focus, our junior and senior year at Sturgis perfectly represent that. With the IB brings an increase in pressure and expectations, from meeting IA deadlines to avoiding Ms. Abercrombie because you haven’t finished your EE. The IB is like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions – you might eventually figure it out, but there's a good chance you'll end up with a wonky bookshelf and a few extra screws left over. The IB has taught us how to achieve academic excellence and how to become independent leaders. I can say the IB has created many well oiled machines that can produce a 2,000 word paper in one night with a little help from our dear friend we like to call RedBull and the occasional chatters.

Another very important component to the game of golf is the rules officials. You see, much like the rules official in golf, our teachers have played a pivotal role in shaping our lives and guiding us down a successful path. They are the unsung heroes of their fields and don’t get enough credit for the people they’ve had an impact on. I can’t even begin to thank the Sturgis faculty for what they have done for me and my classmates throughout our four years. Our teachers have not only supported us but pushed us to be the best versions of ourselves. They have challenged us to think critically and encouraged us that no dream is impossible. I also commend all of my teachers for showing up with smiles on their faces every day. Being a teacher is no easy task, especially when you've had to deal with us for the past four years.

Now that we are all together it's really starting to sink in that this could be one of the last times we are all together. As we are all prepared to tee off into the next chapter of our lives, here are four pieces of advice that I will continue to live by, whether that be on the golf course or off. Number one, like golf, take everything one shot at a time or one day at a time. The more you think ahead the more you get distracted by what's right in front of you. Number two, don’t dwell on the past. Life is going to have its twists and turns and everything will happen for a reason. Take mishaps with a grain of salt and celebrate your victories. Number three, don’t let the little things define you as a person. In life it's easy to get caught up in the chaos, allowing minuscule things to overshadow our true potential. Number 4, there are no pictures on the scorecard. It reminds us that while the journey may be filled with moments of beauty and elegance, what truly matters in the end are the results we achieve – the goals we accomplish, and the obstacles we overcome. Let's unite in celebration of our individual journeys, each unique in its path yet bringing us together in this moment to share our accomplishments over the last four years. I’m going to finish this speech off with a quote by one of the best golfers of all time Tiger Woods- He says, “you can always become better”. After our 4 years I’m leaving Sturgis with a head full of knowledge but I still don’t know how to spell Baccalaureate. Thank you everyone, Congratulations to the class of 2024 and remember it’s ok to take that risk and play the lottery!!!!

Ms. Cullinan noted that although Summer is ranked at the top of her class, she would never tell you about her grades or awards.  For Summer, it’s her love of learning that is most important. 

Mr. Pagenkopf recalls meeting Summer on the very 1st day of school,

She had the courage to join StuGov as a new 9th grader during remote learning because she wanted to be more involved in our community and make others feel welcome. Every activity she has been involved with over her four years here has had "create community and help make West a home away from home for all students" as a common theme.  That's what I'll always remember Summer for…… that and bringing chocolate milk in a glass Mason jar for lunch.

Ms. Curran, her HL Chemistry teacher writes:

She is funny, intelligent, outgoing, and hard working. She has a unique perspective and a great way with words. If Summer does not have a podcast one day, the world is missing out because she has a way of telling stories that makes the entire room crack up. 

From Profe Rais:

Summer wears her name well.  She is a force to be reckoned with, like tropical summer storms in the afternoon,  yet she blooms like every single summer flower during sunny days and stormy days too. She is fearless like the waves in the ocean, they don't stop until they reach the shore and even then, they leave a mark on the sand like Summer Nickerson, who with her strong yet gentle ways has left a mark on me as a teacher, and has left an imprint of persistence and beauty on our Sturgis community. 

Personally, I recall:

As the acting President of STAGE West, Summer is a legend in our program- the first student to have her own play performed by STAGE and brought to the state competition.  She is a leader in directing, has acted in multiple shows, and has worked to build up STAGE’s presence in the Sturgis community with her passion, diligence and wit.

Mr. Copeland adds,

I never had Summer as a student. However, I knew her through her involvement with Stage, Spirit Games, Field Day, and interacting with her in the hallways. She wrote and directed the play Nowhere, which I saw on three separate occasions in three separate theaters. It was a great play that went on to the semi-final round of the state theater competition. Because of the change in venue, adaptations had to be made quickly.  Summer was able to make numerous changes flow seamlessly as if they were part of the original plan all along. This shows a high level of entrepreneurial spirit and leadership as well as determination and tenacity to overcome obstacles. 

Ms. Carman reflects:

Summer is one of the most creatively brilliant, talented and versatile students I have ever known - even more than John Cena. Her unique approaches to writing and the ways in which she insightfully processes and captures her world, is riveting.  To witness Summer during any literary discussion reminds me of being in a College Graduate English class.  I am thrilled to know Summer’s love of writing will continue to make a difference in this world.

These words are just a tiny sliver of who Summer Nickerson is. Summer’s integrity and commitment to making the world a better place is an inspiration to us all. 

Please join me in congratulating this year’s Burke scholarship recipient- Summer Nickerson!!

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