By Holly Heller Staff Writer
BREMEN — For what very well may be the first time in modern history, Bremen High School saw a three-way tie for valedictorian of the graduating class.
Julie Manges, Kelly Reidenbach and Renee Zeltwanger each finished with a grade point average of 11.42 on a 12.0 scale.

All three gave speeches at the 118th annual commencement ceremony at Bremen High School Sunday afternoon. Manges encouraged her classmates not to worry about tomorrow  as they “step on to the wobbly bridge we call our future,” but instead to “take life as it comes.” Reidenbach reviewed many good memories shared by the Class of 2008 and said that the best memory was “the support we showed for our school, our community and each other.” Zeltwanger paralleled the lives of the graduating seniors to the renovation that took place at their school this year. “Our lives have been constructed here. Our foundations have been set … Now we must decide where do we go from here?” She challenged the graduates to “add a level to your house and go beyond what you think you can achieve.”

Dan Schramm, salutatorian and class president, gave the official class welcome to the friends and family gathered in the gym.
Amanda LaFree, class vice president, presented the class donation to the school board.
Two seniors shared their musical abilities — Jacob Hundt performed “Morning Has Broken,” a piano duet with Matt Sutton, band director, and Amy Gumz sang Sarah Mclachlan’s “I Will Remember You.”  In addition, several members of the senior class performed “Seasons of Love” with the BHS concert choir.    Principal Bruce Jennings told the audience that 76 of the graduates are planning to continue their education at either a two-year or four-year college or university or a vocational/technical school. Those students will attend 27 different schools in six states. Five members of the Class of 2008 will begin military careers following graduation, while 21 will enter the work force full-time.