Once called the “Smarty Party,” a luncheon was held Thursday for Fort Madison, Holy Trinity Catholic and Central Lee students in the top 10% of their graduating class.
YMCA Test Kitchen (YTK) Director Karen Siefken welcomed the students and also introduced YTK chef Kaleb Wischmeier, a 2016 graduate of Fort Madison.
Wischmeier served pulled pork, cheesy potatoes, green beans with bacon and cake.
Students were given a certificate, flower and goodie bag.
The recognition luncheon was started in the 1950s by the Daily Democrat. Later, the Soroptimist Club partnered with the newspaper.
Soroptimist International Club of Fort Madison President Lauri Wondra said club members weren’t sure when the partnership began, but believe it was in the 1980s-90s.
The Soroptimist Club is an organization, Wondra said, for the betterment of women and girls.
Wondra encouraged the soon-to-be graduates to give back to their communities, no matter where they end up.
“Whether you’re going to college or someplace, try to find something that you’re really passionate about and try to give back,” she said. “I think that nowadays it’s really important.”
Wondra introduced speaker Savanna Collier.
Collier is the chamber director for the Fort Madison Area Chamber of Commerce, is a 2009 alumnus of Fort Madison High School and a 2013 graduate of Iowa State University.
She serves on a wide array of boards and organizations and is a very active volunteer throughout the community.
Collier congratulated the students on their achievements.
“As you all stand on the brink of this new chapter in your lives, I want to take a moment to remind you of something incredibly important,” she said. “The place that you call home, Fort Madison is actually quite full of opportunity, growth and potential.”
Collier said when she attended the luncheon as a student herself, she couldn’t wait to leave Fort Madison.
“I was ready to start my adventure at Iowa State University and say ‘see you never, Fort Madison,’ which is how many of you are feeling right now,” she said. “It’s easy to get caught up in the allure of adventures and new experiences awaiting you in far off places.”
She told the students that one’s hometown becomes more than just a dot on a map.
“It’s the backdrop to your fondest memories, the foundation upon which your dreams were built, and the community that has shaped you into the remarkable individuals that you are today,” she said. “It’s a place where the streets echo with the laughter of childhood friends, where every corner has a family and where bonds of family and community run deep. And I encourage you to recognize that a lot sooner than I did.”
Beyond nostalgia and sentimentality, Collier said, Fort Madison is also a fertile ground for growth, innovation and opportunity.
“It’s a place brimming with untapped potential and endless possibilities waiting to be explored and realized,” she said. “Whether it’s starting a business, starting a passion project or making a difference in the lives of others, Fort Madison offers a canvas on which you can literally paint your future exactly as you want to see it.”
Collier pointed out the low cost of living, the many opportunities within the workforce and safe neighborhoods that make Fort Madison “a great place to live, work and play.”
“And let’s not forget the unparalleled sense of belonging and connection that this community provides,” she said. “In a world that can often feel vast and impersonal, returning to familiar streets and familiar faces of your hometown can be a sense of comfort, support and belonging unlike any other. It’s a place where you’re known, valued and loved. A place where you’ll always be welcomed with open arms.”
Ultimately, Collier said, that’s what drew her back home.
“I felt like I could really make something of myself and make an actual difference in my community. It’s kind of like being a big fish in a small pond,” she said. “So, graduates, as you spread your wings and set out to conquer the world, remember that Fort Madison will always be here, waiting for you with open arms.”
Collier encouraged the soon to be graduates to remember their roots, cherish their hometown and never forget the invaluable lessons, memories and experiences they have been bestowed.
“For no matter where life may take you, your hometown will always be the place where your story began; a place to call home,” she said. “Congratulations, you guys. May the road ahead of you fill with adventure, joy and endless possibilities.”
