Following a welcoming from Martin Luther College Vice President for Academics Jeffery Wiechman, keynote speaker Dick Jonckowski spoke to students about his outlook on life and how it should be viewed.

Known as the “Voice of the Gophers,” Jonckowski led a career driven by his passion for sports. His public address work for the University of Minnesota covered football, basketball and baseball programs.

Jonckowski’s message for students and parents was to maintain a positive outlook on life. He included many of his life experiences during his speech interjected with a humorous twist.

He told students that during even the worst of situations a little bit of humor can be found.

Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, from left, front, Beth Albrecht, daughter of Kirby and Ann Albrecht; Stephanie Dalueg, daughter of Darron and Jackie Dalueg; Stephanie Dose, daughter of Brian and Donna Dose; Elizabeth Kassuelke, daughter of Warren and Megan Kassuelke. Back, Hannah Marzinske, daughter of Todd and Darci Marzinske; Abby Riesgraf, daughter of Scott and Tiffany Riesgraf; Connor Schaper, son of Blake and Patricia Schaper, and Johanna Stelljes, daughter of Ross and Laura Stelljes.

“All those things you can laugh about,” he said. “It’s what you have to do.”

Jonckowski also told students to not take themselves too seriously.

“Life goes by so quickly,” Jonckowski said. “You have to kind of roll with the punches to get by.”

Wrapping up his speech, he offered a little more advice to students as their high school careers come to a close and the doors of higher education begin to swing open.

“Don’t cry because it’s over,” he said. “Smile because it happened.”

Cathedral High School, from left, front, Kayla Adama, Service Above Self Award recipient; scholars Alexander Hillesheim, son of Jon and Shannon Hillesheim; Heidi Hoffman, daughter of Peter and Bev Hoffman. Back, Ethan Kirchberg, son of Randy and Monica Kirchberg; Mark Schommer, son of Denny and Sue Schommer; Joshua Seidl, son of Jason and Joleen Seidl.

Following Jonckowski’s message, the Rotary club presented its Service Above Self awards to one senior from each school in recognition of their dedication to servicing the community.

New Ulm High School selected Carli Botten, daughter of Larry and Ann Botten. Principal Mark Bergmann said in addition to Botten’s many activities, including athletics, National Honor Society and Student Council, her service to fellow students and seniors within the community was unparalleled.

Cathedral High School selected Kayla Adama and Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School selected Stephanie Dalueg, daughter of Darron and Jackie Dalueg.

Students in the top 15 percent of their class in New Ulm area high schools include:

New Ulm High School

Brady Ahlness, son of Lynn and Jane Ahlness; Abigail Allen, daughter of Carl and Patrice Allen; Annika Anderson, daughter of Peter and Angela Anderson; Joey Batt, daughter of Brian and Laura Batt; Hannah Blumhoefer, daughter of Scott and Shelly Blumhoefer; Carli Botten, daughter of Larry and Ann Botten; Ellie Bute, daughter of Robert and Julie Bute;

Kellen Christensen, daughter of Mary Ann and the late Bob Christensen; Elisabeth Cooper, daughter of Scott and Brigette Cooper; Ashlyn Donner, daughter of Brent and Denise Donner; Kellyn Emerson, daughter of Brian and Kristen Emerson; Taylor Forstner, daughter of Kevin and Jodi Forstner; Ashton Hames, daughter of Jamie and Toni Hames; Jacob Hanson, son of Charles and Kimberly Hanson; Brandon Hoffmann, son of Mark Bastian and Shelley Hoffmann; Jayden Kasiska-Pettersen, daughter of Justin Pettersen and Jamie Kasiska-Pettersen;

Abbey Lee, daughter of Steve and Jennifer Lee; Emma Maudal, daughter of Kevin and Amy Maudal; Norensa Ness, daughter of Elizabeth Ness and Rick Wezensky; Michelle Rosenhamer, daughter of David and Christine Rosenhamer; Jamie Schumacher, daughter of Rodney and Vickie Schumacher; Peter Spengler, son of Kremena and Allen Triebenbach and the late Paul Spengler; Elizabeth Wolkow, daughter of Michael and Loni Wolkow.

Cathedral High School

Alexander Hillesheim, son of Jon and Shannon Hillesheim; Heidi Hoffman, daughter of Peter and Bev Hoffman; Ethan Kirchberg, son of Randy and Monica Kirchberg; Mark Schommer, son of Denny and Sue Schommer; Joshua Seidl, son of Jason and Joleen Seidl.

Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School

Beth Albrecht, daughter of Kirby and Ann Albrecht; Stephanie Dalueg, daughter of Darren and Jackie Dalueg; Stephanie Dose, daughter of Brian and Donna Dose; Elizabeth Kassuelke, daughter of Warren and Megan Kassuelke; Hannah Marzinske, daughter of Todd and Darci Marzinske; Abby Riesgraf, daughter of Scott and Tiffany Riesgraf; Connor Schaper, son of Blake and Patricia Schaper, and Johanna Stelljes, daughter of Ross and Laura Stelljes.