GRADUATION IN FREEMAN: TASSELS TURNED

For about six hours on Saturday, May 17, Freeman’s two schools — collectively but independently — saw memorable moments at graduation ceremonies honoring the Class of 2025 from Freeman Academy and Freeman Public Schools.

Seven seniors finished their high school careers at Freeman Academy in a ceremony that began at 11 a.m. and wrapped up just shy of an hour, while 25 seniors received their diplomas from Freeman High School in a commencement that started at 2 p.m. and finished just over an hour later.

And, earlier in the week, on Wednesday, May 14, many of those same seniors attended a baccalaureate service organized and hosted by the Freeman Ministerial Association. All of it marked the end of another school year in Freeman.

Here’s a closer look at the final festivities.

Baccalaureate 

Last Wednesday’s religious service for local graduates and their families was the 11th year the Freeman Ministerial Association headed up the event. The ecumenical group representing Freeman area churches took it over from Freeman Public in 2015 after the Freedom From Religion Foundation threatened a lawsuit against the school district even though attendance at baccalaureate was voluntary and it was not an official school activity, only held on school grounds.

With the Freeman Ministerial Association taking control, the service was moved to the Freeman Community Center and included an invitation for Freeman Academy graduates and their families to attend, as well.

It was a hit out of the gate and has been happening in that capacity ever since, with strong attendance from the Class of 2025 last week. Nearly all the chairs were full — there were about 130 people in attendance — and several of the pastors participating in the service noted the number of people who had gathered.

“As Pastor Steven (Roussos) shared (in his opening remarks), it’s truly moving to see how many of you came out tonight,” said Corey Miller, pastor at Salem-Zion Mennonite Church who brought the message. “You didn’t have to be here — but you chose to come with your families, and that’s a blessing we do not take for granted.”

Miller framed his message around the them, “Building Well” and used the pop culture reference of “Bob the Builder,” an animated television series that aired from 1999 through 2011, to set the stage.

“His famous line? ‘Can we fix it?’” Miller said. “The response: ‘Yes we can!’

“Tonight, I’m taking a little liberty with Bob’s optimistic motto and modifying it:

‘Can we build it, Class of 2025?’ “And I hope your response will be: ‘Yes, we can!’

“You may not all know how to handle a hammer or a saw, but each of you is a builder in God’s kingdom,” Miller continued. “You have been given gifts, talents, and tools, not only to contribute to society, but to participate in God’s mission in the world.”

“Class of 2025, your life is a gift from God,” Miller concluded. “Use it to glorify God and serve others. Use the tools you’ve gathered — academic, spiritual, emotional, relational — and build something beautiful.”

Last Wednesday’s service also included music by a praise band led by Craig and Lois Wollman, as well as involvement from other pastors in the community: Shane Van Meveren of the Bethany Mennonite Church, Stephen Roussos of the Missionary Church, Stuart Curry of the Salem Mennonite Brethren Church, Randall Koehler of the Hutterthal Mennonite Church, and Spencer Bradford of the Salem Mennonite Church.

Freeman Academy

Keynoting commencement at Freeman Academy late Saturday morning was Kelsey Pidde, who works as the school’s Academic Support Coordinator, librarian and serves as the senior class advisor.

Pidde offered three pieces of advice to help the graduates grow in their mindset, in their relationships with others, and in their faith.

1. Life is not black and white.

“Expand your perspective — and allow others to do the same,” Pidde said. “Social media, for all its good, is often designed to give you a small bit of information and convince you to take a side. Resist that urge. Look deeper. You may discover richer, more compassionate understandings.

“Being open to complexity will help you be gentler—with yourself, and with others.”

2. Do more than your job

Pidde shared a story about a flight attendant who comforted her on her journey to Africa to serve with Mennonite Central Committee as an English teacher at a boarding school in Chad. She was stressed, scared and heartbroken, said Pidde, who had, back in Freeman, just fallen in love with the man she would marry, and no longer wanted to go to Africa.

She was journaling when the flight attendant sensed worry and showed concern, and showed Pidde his own journal of inspiration. He also gave her his address if she needed a pen pal.

“By the time I got off that flight, I was emotionally steadier,” Pidde said. “I felt God had sent that exact person to me in my moment of need. That man did more than his job. His job was to serve pretzels. He could have done that and gone home, but he dhose to be kind — and it changed everything.

So whether you’re a student or an employee, do more than your job,” she said. “Encourage others without expecting anything in return.”

3. Actively pursue your faith

Finally, Pidde noted that a faith journey is one of mountains and valleys; “Don’t give up in the valleys,” she said.

“In those moments, keep seeking God. Be active in your faith. Surround yourself with people who encourage you, not judge you. Find communities that nurture your heart.

“And remember: Not every church or worship style will resonate with you. That’s OK. Some are quiet. Some are lively. Some meet in homes or coffee shops. God isn’t contained in one form. So explore, seek, and keep growing.”

Freeman Academy’s commencement also included a welcome from Madelyn Anderson, an opening prayer from Elshadai Mesfin, senior reflections from Sieta Wiersema and Jada Buse, a slideshow looking back on the class and the class’s journey, and a closing prayer by Lincoln Anderson.

Brooke Snyders introduced Pidde as the speaker and Joshua Janssen presented the senior gift — a replacement microwave for Carol Stastny, science and computer teacher, with the rest of the funds going to the school’s IT department.

Diplomas were presented by Dr. Brad Anderson, head of school, and the senior class was presented by Brian Paff, chair of the board of directors.

Kelsey Pidde offers the Freeman Academy commencement address. PHOTO COURTESY OF LINDSEY ORTMAN

Freeman Public

At Freeman Public’s graduation Saturday afternoon, Claire Hofer and Savanna Timmerman took turns at the lectern and used their senior address to offer words of thanks, reflect on moments and memories, and share hope for the future.

“We would not be able to be standing here today without the help of the extraordinary people who have been with us through the years,” said Hofer. “Your unwavering support and commitment to our success has been a constant throughout our school years and we will forever be grateful.”

Timmerman thanked Freeman; “We are so fortunate to have grown up in such a caring and generous community,” she said. “You have always supported us by guiding our career paths and sponsoring many of our events. Your financial contributions have been monumental in allowing us the means to achieve our educational and career goals.”

The girls thanked the faculty and staff, reflected on the personalities that developed as elementary students and through the Covid years, and one of their proudest achievements — winning the homecoming float competition all six years of junior high and high school.

“We’ve also grown closer as a class over the years,” Timmerman said. “We are a class that lacks drama and has an abundance of friendships. You would think that since our class consists of 18 girls, there would be many different friend groups, cliques and lots of drama. This is not the case at all, and I can confidently say that we are all friends.”

The girls noted the class gatherings for Thanksgiving, late-night “essay writing parties” and an end-of-the-year bonfire last spring in which those there left to help a classmate finish an assignment.

“I don’t know any other class that would be so willing to drop everything in an instant to help another classmate,” Timmerman said.

And they closed with words of advice.

“As we go out into the world after this monumental day, don’t forget the lessons and the people you’ve walked with throughout this journey,” Hofer said. “I have no doubt that you all will find success in your future careers. Even when things get hard, remember that there will always be people on this stage who believed you will succeed.”

“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to grow up with each and every one of you and see the incredible people you have become. I know we all have bright futures ahead of us, and we are proud to say, ‘we did it.’”

Freeman Public’s graduation also included a welcome from superintendent Jake Tietje, the acknowledgement of student achievement by school counselor Kris Sweeter and principals Mitzi Wynia and Katie Juhnke, a senior slideshow, the rose ceremony, and the presentation of diplomas by school board vice president Doug McCune.

Savanna Timmerman and Claire Hofer offer the student address at Freeman Public’s graduation last Saturday.