Edgerton graduates have eyes on the future
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EDGERTON — Edgerton High School graduate Stephanie Lein wasn't sure she would ever walk across the stage to get her diploma.
She had to undergo 10 surgeries, physical therapy and the placement of screws and rods in her body after a November car accident.
She was hospitalized for a month and nearly had her leg amputated.
She missed the rest of her senior year while finishing school from home.
"They asked me what my goal was, and my goal was to be able to walk by graduation," she said.
Lein met her target date Sunday, walking for the first time since the wreck when she joined about 160 other Edgerton High graduates and collected her diploma.
"It's a pretty big deal for me," she said.
Sisters say goodbye
Twin sisters Emily and Ashley Williams were excited about the future as they lined up with other grads before the ceremony.
They won't be attending the same school next year, allowing them to branch out as individuals for the first time.
Emily plans to attend Blackhawk Technical College, while Ashley will attend Northwestern College in Minnesota. They both plan to study education.
"It will be weird," Emily said of being apart from her twin.The sisters will miss each other, but they also will enjoy their independence, Ashley said.
'Exciting and nervous'
Danielle Nida described graduation as "exciting and nervous" at the same time. She said it was an emotional moment to say goodbye to friends. She plans to enter the workforce right away.
Kodi Kransberger said the idea of finishing high school hadn't sunk in yet. He said he plans to attend UW-Eau Claire.
"I'm excited to get away from home and find out who I am as a person," Kransberger said.
He said he would be sad to leave, but he knows he will see some of his classmates in the future.
Packed house
The gym was packed for the graduation ceremony. Cameras flashed. People carried video recorders. The choir and band performed between speeches.
Graduate Jordan Hammer told his classmates they should all have great memories from school. He talked about fun moments in elementary school, middle school and high school.
He said the graduates should make more memories in the future. He said the best was yet to come.
Heather Spray said she felt joy and pride when thinking about her classmates. She talked about the athletic, academic and fine arts achievements of the class.
"We're full of so much talent, it's remarkable," Spray said.
She told grads to make their own footsteps. She said she couldn't' wait to see what everyone accomplishes.
"Our futures are bright and beautiful and exciting," she said. "The world is full of something special for each and every one of you."
Dennis Pauli, district administrator, told graduates to live, love, learn and leave a legacy.
"This is a day to cherish deeply, for you have accomplished something fairly significant," he said.
Principal Mark Coombs said some graduates had an easy road, while others had a difficult one.
"Whichever road you took, it doesn't matter because all of you are graduating and will soon be Edgerton High School alumni," he said.
No crutches
When Lein received her diploma, she walked across the stage without her crutches.
She said she remembers nothing about the accident. She was driving alone and accidentally went off the road on a curve.
Despite a difficult six months, she was happy to be walking again.
She plans to attend Edgewood College in Madison to study nursing.
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