Pacelli grads off to take on the world
By Brandi Makuski
Pacelli High School graduated its senior class on Saturday.
About 250 friends and family members filed into the Pacelli auditorium on May 28 to observe the commencement ceremony for the 37 members of the Class of 2022.
Principal Larry Theiss emceed the event. Following an opening prayer by senior Mateo Koch, students presented flowers to their respective parents, then returned to their seats to hear brief remarks before receiving diplomas.
“The most important thing we’ve learned during our time at Pacelli is how to work hard, live with faith, and make a difference in the world,” said Benjamine Haemmerle, class salutatorian.
The keynote speaker this year was Jim King. He and his late brother, Cliff King, were named Distinguished Alumni for 2022. Jim King founded Skyward in 1980 and later became its CEO, then, Chairman of the Board. Cliff King was a former Skyward president, and also its former CEO.
Jim King graduated from Pacelli in 1963, while Cliff King is a Class of ’72 alum. Cliff King died in a car accident in 2021.
“They say if you find a job you really love, you never work another day in your life,” Jim King told the graduates on Saturday. “Neither Cliff nor myself, worked another day in our lives, once we started this. As you move forward I encourage you to look out for number one as long as others depend on you. After that, see if you can be of assistance to other people.”
Jim King announced on Saturday that Skyward had recently hired 39 additional people, putting their total number of employees in Stevens Point to just shy of 700. He credited the Catholic school system for instilling in him and his brother a solid foundation for life.
“Keep your eyes open for the many opportunities that are going to come your way,” he said.
Following the hourlong ceremony, graduates gathered in the field outside the Pacelli auditorium for the traditional cap toss.