Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Members of the Steamboat Springs High School Class of 2000 will turn their tassels and let out a few cheers Saturday as they become official high school graduates.

This class of 100, described by class sponsor Susie Ritter as one that is supportive of each other and fights for what it believes in, will graduate after listening to speeches by two high-profile personalities and their co-valedictorians.

This year's valedictorians, Kristin Bender and Greg Yurevitch, had tied grade point averages and will share the top-spot duties.

This year's salutatorian, Rebecca Albertini, was not far behind in her GPA, according to Ritter, and will be honored by her classmates.

This year's keynote speakers are family members of graduates. They are Minority Leader Tom Daschle and the first woman president of the American Bar Association, Roberta Cooper Ramo.

They are the uncle and aunt of Mike Daschle and Katie Black, respectively.

"The class really thought they wanted a female," Ritter said. "They've never had a female speaker."

The graduation will also include a senior slide show prepared by students.

Ritter has been with the class all four years and said it has a great bond and collective strength.

"They know what they want and they go for it," she said. "They fight for what they believe in and challenge things."

Ritter said that the class officers, Daschle, Corey Hands, Grant Davis, Jessica Asta, Alyssa Simon and Courtney Bell, worked extremely hard on the graduation and all the plans went very smoothly.

Ritter said she was selected to lead the class in turning their tassels and she is already sentimental, although she is glad to see them off.

"We started out together and we're going to finish together," she said. "I'm really attached to these kids."

To reach Jennifer Bartlett call 871-4204 or e-mail jbartlett@amigo.net