We graduate from many things; preschool, kindergarten, grade school, junior high, high school, boot camp, college, obedience school. Yet successfully finishing high school has one original aspect. It most often includes the leaving of home.

Mothers look forward to the children finally graduating, yet they often cry at the actuality of it when it sinks in. They are losing their babies. Students anxiously look forward to it, yet realize they are separating from family and friends.

The annual High School Triple Crown Rodeo event was held May 4 through 7 in Kadoka, White River and Burke, with a total of 177 contestants participating.

While the weather in Kadoka was not a negative factor, conditions were muddy and windy at both White River and Burke.

Bare Back Riding

Kadoka: 1st - Troy Bechen, Whitewood - 65, 2nd - John Tyler English, Spearfish - 64, 3rd - Cole Thunder Boomer, Interior - 58.

White River: 1st - Bechen - 51, only qualified ride

Burke: 1st - Bechen, only qualified ride

Average: 1st - Bechen

Saddle Bronc Ri

The annual High School Triple Crown Rodeo event was held May 4 through 7 in Kadoka, White River and Burke, with a total of 177 contestants participating.

While the weather in Kadoka was not a negative factor, conditions were muddy and windy at both White River and Burke.

Bare Back Riding

Kadoka: 1st - Troy Bechen, Whitewood - 65, 2nd - John Tyler English, Spearfish - 64, 3rd - Cole Thunder Boomer, Interior - 58.

White River: 1st - Bechen - 51, only qualified ride

Burke: 1st - Bechen, only qualified ride

Average: 1st - Bechen

Saddle Bronc Ri

The Philip Scotties participated in the Kadoka Invitational Track and Field Meet on Saturday, May 12.

Of the girls, Philip took first place in the 1600 sprint relay with a time of 4:34.10. This was a state qualifying time. The team members were Kenzy Pinney, Beth Lawson, Lindsay Mann and Tylissa Fitch.

Of the boys, Nathan O'Dea earned first place in the long jump with a distance of 18 feet and six inches. Jeff O'Connell took first place in the triple jump with a distance of 37 feet and 11.9 inches, a personal best.

At the 2007 High School Region VI Golf Tournament, both the Philip boys' team and the Philip girls' took third place.

The tournament was held on the Hart Ranch Golf Course near Rapid City on Monday, May 14. The top 40 percent of the competitors earn their way to state.

The top nine finishing positions in the girls' division will go on to the state tournament. Individually, Tara Ravellette took third place with a day's score of 98. Ashley Berry ended the day with a 128 for 10th place.

Juanita Ione Jeppesen, age 71, of Wall, died Thursday morning, May 10, 2007, at her home in Wall.

Memorial services were held Monday, May 14, at the Community Center in Wall, with Sister Susan Pohl officiating.

Music was provided by Sister Pohl. Ushers were Wayne and Caleb Jeppesen.

Interment was 12:30 p.m. at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Juanita "Nita" Fenner was born February 20, 1936, in Wasta, SD, the daughter of Joseph G. and Mary R. (Wilson) Fenner. She attended grade school in Rapid City.

Josephine M. "Josie" Stratton, age 98, of Kadoka, died Saturday, May 12, 2007, at the Kadoka Nursing Home.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 16, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka, with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.

Music was provided by Lois Pettyjohn, pianist, Boyd Porch, Carl Bauman and John Kaiser, vocalists. Ushers were Teresa Christensen and Jody Vander Molen. Pallbearers were Doug, Bill, Dick and Jim Stratton, Bill Lewis and Wes Enders.

Interment was in the Kadoka Cemetery.

Josie M.

As it has since 2001, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) closed its offices and redirected its staff and members to serve people in communities throughout South Dakota. Nearly 400 AARP volunteers and staff spent May 10th working in their communities and making a direct contribution to improve the lives of South Dakotans 50 plus.

"Our national Day of Service is an important tradition. It is one of the ways that we at AARP South Dakota make a difference in our communities.

Karen Gibson has opened a new business in Philip. Whistle Hill Flower is on Pine Street where Appliances and More was located and, before that, Picture This.

Gibson said that the idea for the business's name came from an age-old name for one of the hills in the center of Philip, Whistle Stop Hill.

"I love the location. The big windows are great and the light is awesome," said Gibson. "I like being my own boss and a flower and gift shop has always interested me."

The business, from idea to preparation to opening, has been an adventure. The shop is open from 9:00 a.m.