LUSTRE NEWS

LUSTRE NEWS

Graduation at LCHS was May 17. Hannah Brown, Johnslee Pierre, Nathan Fast, Dietrich Olfert and Andy Curl comprised the class of 2026. After welcome by Superintendent Wes Young, Pastor Hathaway prayed for the graduates, “to have a spirit of wisdom, kindness and love and that God would be near them.”

Hannah Brown (salutatorian) spoke of memories in class, and “of the goodness of the Lord in bringing my family to Lustre after losing my Dad, the hardest thing in my life.” Hannah gave the context of distresses Asaph found himself in Psalms 77 before quoting verse 11. “I shall remember the deeds of The Lord; I will remember Your wonders of old.” She told her classmates “to meditate on Who God is, and what He has done.”

After being given his medal from Mrs. Hilkemann, valedictorian Dietrich Olfert talked about the class verse, Proverbs 19:21. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” “These verses helped prepare my heart for what’s next; to let go of ‘my things to control’”. He recommended “Let God be in control and take the back seat.” He thanked all those sitting in the audience whether they were “his encouragers, his teachers, or those who set an example for us”.

Jacques Ndengeyingoma, an LCHS grad of 2016, was the speaker chosen by the class. He said he had “nothing but a joy to watch God-fearing men and women graduate from LCHS, and this class joins them.” He told of “a 14-yearold boy from Africa with big dreams, given $500 from his parents to go to the USA to find better opportunities. So after 30 hours of traveling all by himself, he enrolled at LCHS”. “I am that boy. He had big dreams, and met with hardship. Two months after graduating, my father died. He was my financial backer as well. That boy went on to attend Northwestern College, and in the first year was infected by a dangerous inflammation. But that boy graduated with an associate’s degree in math and physics, and two years later with a masters. He is now a structural engineer and disciple-maker.”

“I have a grateful heart for what you educators have been to me. You became mentors and parents to me. And there are many who are just as grateful. My life is not my own. Only God gets the glory.” “I encourage you, challenge you, I invite you to take pen in hand and write the plans God has for you. Do not be passive and let others write your story. Write a great story with your life, looking to the plans God has for you. If you are alive and breathing, it’s time.”

Mrs. Hilkemann announced the scholarships and student’s ambitions. Hannah Brown will attend MSU Billings and work, and received the NorVal Scholarship. Andy Curl will enter basic training with the National Guard, and in the spring will attend Carroll College, where he has been awarded a $24,000 annual merit scholarship for four years.

Nathan Fast will go to Havre for automotive and welding training. He received an Independence Bank scholarship for $1,000 and $2,500 from the Foundation for Rural Service. Diek Olfert will attend Tabor College in fall. He will double major in accounting, finance and Bible as well as run track and field. He was awarded the Tabor 20 Scholarship worth $10,500 annually for four years. Johnslee Pierre will attend Dawson Community College in Glendive taking general studies. He was awarded scholarships in both track and in basketball. Wes Young and Board Chair Justin Klatt gave the diplomas.

After the graduates distributed red roses to their chosen recipients, Wes Young introduced the graduating class and called Pastor Frank Lenihan to close in prayer. But Young was in for a surprise when Pastor quoted Shakespere’s Much Ado About Nothing and likened it to Mr. Young answering the call to come out of retirement to lead the school. He quoted the king (knocking on the door of an estate where he was to vacation at their expense) with “The fashion of the world is to avoid cost.” And the owner’s reply was “Never have I encountered cost in the presence of grace.” He said the urgent need to have a captain on the ship of LCHS with the motor running and students and staff on board was how the board had asked Young for help.