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Pomp and Circumstance?

Music a heavy influence on co-valedictorian

Staff writer

When co-valedictorian Elizabeth Alderfer leaves Goessel for Bethel College, she will be looking forward to Bethel’s intimacy.

“It’s a small school, so like Goessel you can be involved in everything,” she said.

Alderfer is undecided on her major but knows she wants to remain heavily involved in performing arts.

“Mostly, I’m looking forward to being involved in the music department, if that’s possible, doing band and choir,” she said. “Other than that, I’m just not sure how things will work out.”

More than just a fleeting interest, music helped Alderfer learn the significance of investing time in personal pursuits.

She was a participant in Kansas Music Educators Association’s all-state ensemble and a member of Goessel’s select choir.

“Music is an outlet that you can work hard in,” she said. “I enjoy it. I was part of the KMEA state band all three years. That was something I had to push myself, and it was a totally different aspect from academics, but it taught me the importance of hard work.”

It also was a good way for Alderfer to interact with peers.

“That was where you made friends, and those friends carried over into other aspects,” she said. “Music was a good time for all that.”

Alderfer isn’t the only one with a soft spot for performing. Co-valedictorian Alexandria Nickel plans to major in dance at Wichita State University.

Goessel’s third co-valedictorian, Alyssa Burkholder, will enroll at Hesston College but remains undecided on her major.

Goessel’s graduation will be 4 p.m. Saturday at Goessel High School. The specific location is in flux.

“I just want to get together and celebrate it,” Alderfer said. “It’s a big milestone that we all worked hard for.”

She will deliver the opening speech while Nickel will give closing remarks.

Alderfer used to have performance anxiety, but being on-stage helped her cope with those issues.

“I had really bad nerves when I first started, so I had to overcome that and build confidence through it all,” she said. “I also did sports in high school, so through sports and music I really had to find confidence.”

Alderfer’s experience giving speeches at church and in other public settings also helped.

Despite not having a specific major in mind, Alderfer is confident she will succeed in whatever academic pursuit she chooses.

“I always try to push myself and hold myself to a high standard,” she said. “I’m pretty sure that will follow me through college and my life.”

Goessel High School graduates

Elizabeth Alderfer, Sara Bianchi Muschio, Elyse Boden, Alyssa Burkholder, Ikram El Karrabi, Luke Freeman, Zackary Guerrero, Jacob Hagewood, Vincent Hammond, Adrianne Hardy, Autumn Hicks, Lovisa Högberg, Anton Kershner, Jakob Kershner, Dylan Lindeman, Brooke Nafziger, Alexandria Nickel, Renee Nolte, Katelyn Olson, Jerah Schmidt, Brody Schroeder, and Porclein Unruh.

Co-valedictorians

Elizabeth Alderfer, Alyssa Burkholder, and Alexandria Nickel.

Last modified July 16, 2020

 

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