Special bond brings Sen. Max Baucus to grad’s big day. Major player in Congress to speak to Winifred, Montana’s graduating class of 8

This faint mirage of a town on the central Montana range graduates eight high school seniors tonight, three girls and five boys seated alphabetically in gowns of red and white on a stage in the high school gym.

Dan Wichman, fifth academically in his graduating class, or maybe sixth, will be among the last to rise for his diploma. He is an easygoing kid with a soft smile, the oldest boy of the Wichmans’ 14 children, most of them adopted. He has learned that best way to get what you want is to not ask for much and save your biggest favors for the things that matter most.

Needless to say, graduation matters a lot to Wichman. After six years of group homes and foster families, he was less than a shoe-in to be on this stage. So when it came time to call in a favor for graduation, Wichman called in a big one – he contacted to U.S. Sen. Max Baucus http://baucus.senate.gov/ and invited him to graduation and, of course, the barbecue beforehand.

"I just wanted him to come, so I called him," Wichman said.

By TOM LUTEY
Of The Gazette Staff

Full Story: http://billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/05/16/news/state/18-baucus.txt

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Baucus speaks at Winifred graduation

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., gave the commencement address Saturday for the eight graduating seniors of Winifred High School’s Class of 2009.

Baucus congratulated the graduates for what they accomplished, as well as for what they will go on to achieve in their lives. Two eighth-grade students also took part in the ceremony.

"I, like everyone in this room, have the utmost confidence that each of you will go on to achieve great things," said Baucus, according to prepared remarks released before the ceremony.

Baucus also planned to recognize graduate Dan Wichman, who he called his friend and an outstanding person.

"Dan, I can’t tell you how proud I am of you. To have watched you mature from a middle-schooler to the young man you are today has been a wonderful experience," Baucus said.

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090517/NEWS01/905170309/1002/Baucus+speaks+at+Winifred+graduation

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