Decatur Community Schools

The USD 294 School Board voted to push back the start of school to Wednesday, Aug. 26.  Teachers will still report Aug. 13. Originally, school was slated to start August 19. 

The extra week will give teachers and staff more time to prepare for the start of school.  This year, parents have the choice to send their students to school or to keep them home for virtual learning provided by USD 294. 

The board also voted to require masks be worn by all teachers and staff members in both schools and by all students in grades 5-12 when social distancing is not possible.

Enrollment for both schools is August 5 and 6.

They waited 63 days, but the DCHS seniors finally got their graduation on a hot, sunny July morning.

Commencement Program:

"The Masterpiece" ........................ The Woodwind Ensemble

"Pomp and Circumstance"............Mackenzie Urban

Welcome .........................................Principal Brenda Breth

Parents, Grandparents, Guests, Teachers, Students, Superintendent Applegate, and USD 294 Board of Education:

Welcome to the 2020 Decatur Community High School Graduation. What a year! The seniors thought this day would never come, but here it is – finally. 

At this time, I would like to thank everyone who made this commencement possible. These things don’t magically happen. A special thank you to Melissa Dreher, Kathryn Tremblay, Jenny Tally, Kole Breth, Tim Breth, Brian Simonsson, and Terry Ream.  Kole, Tim, and Terry were here this morning setting the big pieces in place and helping me make sure everything was ready. Thank you. Mr. Williams and six of his football players brought the chairs over from OES –along with Anna, Sage, and Alyssa, Terry, Brian, and Kole. Thank you. Nutrien and Culligan - thank you for providing the water on this hot day and Jess, William, and Landree Carter for icing down the water and Megan Carter for the idea and making it happen.  Thank you, senior class – who set all the chairs yesterday and planned this ceremony. Thank you to the woodwind ensemble – Jack Farr, Erin May, Courtlyn Waterman, and KeLynn Jacobs for the prelude ---- and Mackenzie Urban for “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Thank you also to Kennedy Jensen and Kalen Townsend for their wood shop projects used for this ceremony - Kennedy’s vanity and Kalen’s cabinet.  I would also like to thank our ushers who were chosen by the seniors for their help today – Melody Koerperich, Alex Eskew, Alana Raile, Emma Anderson, Gavon Uehlin, and Spencer Wishon. 

Presentation of Salutatorian ....................Brenda Breth 

It’s hot, and the seniors have waited an extra 63 days for this ceremony, so I’m going to get right to it.

This class has exceeded the mark for accomplishments and hard work, but two students based on their GPAs have been named valedictorian and salutatorian. Both of these students are active members of the school and the community. 

We will first recognize our Salutatorian – who is this year’s Student Council president, president of her class all four years of high school, and vice president of National Honor Society.  She is an athlete who has excelled in three sports – volleyball, basketball, and track.  She has been named all-league in both volleyball and basketball and is a two-time state qualifier in track – more than likely, she would have been a three-time state qualifier if spring sports had not been canceled. She is the yearbook editor, this year’s homecoming queen, and the 2020 prom marshal. She enjoys playing with her siblings, working on art projects, working at Good Sam, and listening to Taylor Swift.

Anna Carter is the daughter of Megan and Jess Carter.  She plans to attend Creighton University and major in social work. The 2020 Salutatorian – Anna Carter: 

Anna's Speech 

Thank you, Anna. You have been an incredible student council leader this year, and I can’t thank you enough for the great year.  You will be missed.

"I Smile"..................................................DCHS Choir  

I appreciate the choir’s dedication. They have put in extra hours this summer practicing for this day.  So thank you, Mrs. Tremblay, Mrs. Tally, and the DCHS Choir.

Presentation of Valedictorian ..............Brenda Breth

It is an honor to introduce our 2020 Valedictorian.  She is a Kansas Honor Scholar, a Governor’s Scholar, and a Kansas Board of Regents State Scholar. She is the National Honor Society President and the FFA president. She has participated in volleyball, basketball, track, cheerleading, forensics, musicals, and plays. She is a member of Student Council, the DCHS Singers, band, choir, Spanish Club, Drama Club, and Chem/Physics club. She is also a member of the scholars’ bowl team that qualified for state this year.

She enjoys studying, watching movies and TV, playing card and board games, reading, napping, helping others, and spending time with her pets. 

Erin May is the daughter of Roger and Susan May. She plans to attend Kansas State University to study nutritional sciences on a path to pre-med.  She hopes to become a medical doctor and return to Northwest Kansas. Our 2020 Valedictorian – Erin May.

Erin's Speech 

Change and Growth!  Thank you, Erin.  I am so proud of the person you are.

"Even Though I'm Leaving" ...............Senior Class Appreciation

 Each of the seniors has someone special they would like to honor. At this time, the Class of 2020 would like to show their appreciation to their parents, family, or friends. 

Activity Awards....................................DCHS Activities Director Brandon Gehring, 

These seniors missed so much this year – including their athletic banquet, FFA banquet, and music awards. We would, however, still like to recognize some of their accomplishments. I know it's hot, but these seniors deserve to be recognized. Our activities director – Mr. Brandon Gehring – will do the honors.

Mr. Gehring's Speech 

"Stand in the Light" ............................DCHS Singers 

The DCHS Singers are an amazing group of girls who deserved one final performance. Thank you, Singers.  I appreciate each of you. 

Thank you, Teachers ..........................Brenda Breth

At this time, I would like to thank a few teachers who also didn't get the proper farewell they deserved because of COVID 19.  Mrs. Glaze, thank you for your 25 years of dedication to DCHS.  Sra. Brown, I will miss you right across the hall.  Thank you for everything.  Mrs. Dorshorst, thank you for helping us out when we really needed you.  I will be forever grateful. And finally – Mr. K Breth. There are no words to express the pride, this mother/principal has. Thank you – Mrs. Glaze, Sra. Brown, Mrs. D, and Kyle for everything. Please can we give them a round of applause.

My Speech

Presentation of Diplomas..................USD 294 Board of Education

Transfer of the Tassel........................ Superintendent Dr. Joel Applegate

Finally – what you have been waiting for! Superintendent Applegate and USD 294 School Board members: I present the class of 2020 to receive their diplomas. They have met the requirements for graduation as established by the Kansas State Board of Education and by the USD 294 Board of Education.

Skyler Brooke Brown 

Anna Claire Carter                     

Jack Lee Farr                       

Eryn Judith Freeman                   

Kennedy Brianne Jensen                      

Dawson Brant Kempt                  

Colton Glenn Ketterl                   

Piper Rileigh Koerperich                      

Sage Rene Lohoefener                         

Landen Matthew Macfee                    

Erin Rose May                    

Bryson Gaskill Metcalf                         

Gabriel Daniel Joseph Peter                         

Alissa Renee Sporn                      

Kimberly Jo Anne Strohm                    

Kalen Bradley Townsend                     

Alyssa Taite Van Vleet                         

Courtlyn Phoebe/Renee Waterman                     

Amy Violet Wentz       

Ladies and Gentlemen, I declare the Senior Class of 2020 graduated and the newest alumni of Decatur Community High School. Congratulations!

Recessional....................... "Footloose"

After the ceremony -- 

Thank you to Pam and Brian Simonsson, Terry Ream, Gina Witt, Tim Breth, Fred Farr, and Jack Farr for picking up the chairs; Kathryn Tremblay and Jenny Tally for picking up the podium and conductor's stand, and Aidyn Witt for cleaning up the stands. Thank you also to Gina Witt for taking pictures.

Seniors Kalen Townsend and Alissa Sporn were crowned the 2020 Prom King and Queen at the prom dance on Saturday, July 11.  The king and queen were chosen by the Junior Class and crowned by Junior Class officers Gracie Vontz and Alana Raile.

The juniors, seniors, and guests had a good time at the prom dance with music provided by Full Throttle.  Thank you, Chris Johnson, for donating your time and talent to the DCHS kids.

Thank you also to Duane Dorshorst and Sherri Jacobs for the wonderful meal -- and to Scott Foote and Decatur County Beef for the steaks.

Thank you to the Junior Class and their sponsors - Mr. Bricker, Mrs. Scott, and Ms. Davis -- for putting together a beautiful, memorable prom and to Susan Unger and the Gateway staff for letting us have prom with AC and space!

It was a beautiful, hot July evening for the annual promenade. The junior-senior prom was originally scheduled for April 18, but was postponed when all school activities were suspended because of the coronavirus. The juniors. seniors, and their dates were finally able to have their prom on July 11.

Leading the promenade was Prom Marshal Anna Carter with her date, Trae Woolsey.  The Senior Class chooses the prom marshal.