Growing up in a rural area is, in fact, a blessing

Kent Dorney, ag teacher at Lake Holcombe, spoke May 17, during commencement, to the Class of 2025, so chosen by the students. Dorney’s anecdotes brought peals of laughter, as he related how he won’t miss the “old man” jokes or food missing from his classroom fridge. Dorney then turned serious, expressing how much the class means to him and wishing them all the best, as they go make Lake Holcombe proud. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

Most kids in a small town can’t wait to bolt for the county line, as soon as they’ve turned the tassels. While this is true of the Lake Holcombe Class of 2025, it’s also true that the moment came faster than some of them were expecting, which began to sink in at commencement, May 17.

This class didn’t finish without its troubles – going through the COVID era, death of loved ones, troubles at school and even cancer.

“Yet, somehow, we came out on the brighter side,” said Salutatorian Chloe Lee. “Not just as a class, but as a family.”

It’s possible the teachers also wonder how the class made it, between almost electrocuting themselves while experimenting or stealing a door plaque, the class led the staff on a merry chase.

“I truly do not know how Lake Holcombe was able to contain us, but we are all grateful for the lessons we’ve learned,” said Valedictorian Emmy Kirkman.

As for the class-chosen special speaker Kent Dorney, it’s especially memorable for him, as he had the class nine out of their 14 years of schooling.

“I want you to remember where you came from,” said Dorney. “I have often heard it mentioned that growing up in a small town is a disadvantage. I disagree with that strongly. Growing up in a small town is a blessing.”

Because of the remote area, the kids learn the value of hard work, what a handshake means, how to adapt and be resourceful, how to give back to the community and how to look out for each other. All this has led to a resilient and capable Class of 2025.

“You’ve been given something incredible and very valuable from a small town – a sense of belonging,” said Dorney. “And here’s something else: you already know how to keep going. That’s what rural kids do.”

Scholarships and awards presented, include the following:

• MacKenzie Bera – Al & Bonnie Dixon Initiative, $300; American Legion, $500; FFA, $250; Judy Teske Memorial, $200; Leos Club, $150; Lake Holcombe Lions Club, $1,000; UW-Stout Proud, $1,000; H. Edwin Howe Endowed, $2,000; UW-Alum, $5,800; Stout Scholars, $5,000; Wisconsin Tuition Promise, $1,893; American Legion Legacy, $5,000; Robert F. Cervenka, $2,000

• Ryley Craker – Chippewa Valley Mechanical Youth

• Hunter Fasbender – DAR Award, $250; Excellence in Education, $100

• Abby Jones – Chippewa Valley Electric, $500; Cleaves, $200; Lake Holcombe Lions Club, $1,000; Holcombe United Methodist Church, $300

• Emmy Kirkman – Academic Excellence, $2,250, per year, for four years; Jump River Electric, $1,500; Ladysmith Federal, $1,000; Lake Holcombe Lions Club, $1,000; Security Financial Bank; Trevor J. Pierce, $2,200; Excellence in Education, $100

• Chloe Lee – American Red Cross, $250; FFA, $250; Flambeau Bassmasters, $500; Leos Club, $150; Lake Holcombe Lions Club, $1,000; Excellence in Education, $100; Rollie Hall Character, $1,000

• Trent Lee – Technical Excellence, $2,250, per year, for three years

• Erika Smith – Lake Holcombe Lions Club, $1,000; Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Academic Achievement Brian Strzok – Al & Bonnie Dixon Initiative, $300; Chippewa Valley Electric, $500; Harley J. Hattamer Memorial, $1,000; Lee Wright Memorial, $250; Holcombe United Methodist Church, $300