CCS grad has bright future, teacher says

Ivan Goodwin, 18, of Clovis, seen here working at the Java Loft, is a recent graduate of Clovis Christian School and will attend Texas Tech University in the fall; studying electrical engineering. CNJ staff photo: Eric Kluth

Memories of friendships, sports and tomfoolery still linger in the wake of Ivan Godwin’s time at Clovis Christian School.

The 18-year-old salutatorian grins when he thinks of the day he and two friends — armed with a lasso during spirit week — chased Secondary Principal Ceil Boatman up two flights of stairs and into her office.

“We were always able to have fun I think, even while learning,” said Godwin, a member of a military family who spent 13 years in Germany.

Godwin, who graduated with a 3.87 GPA, was one of 12 Clovis Christian seniors who accepted their diplomas Friday evening.

He plans to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where he wants to major in electrical engineering and later work in the automotive industry.

Since Clovis Christian is a small school, Godwin said he was able to become friends with students not just in his senior class, but all classes.

Godwin, who played on the school’s six-man football team his senior year and on the basketball team as a junior, said his teachers were encouraging and challenging.

He especially took a liking to his homeroom teacher and football coach Max Kralicek.

“The teacher I’m going to miss the most would be Coach K. He really challenged me the most, not just in the curriculum that he taught, but me as a person,” Godwin said.

Kralicek said Godwin has a bright future.

“Ivan is one of these kids who is steady and reliable,” Kralicek said. “He’s a very mature young man for his age. He has some very realistic goals of what he wants to accomplish in life and yet he has a strong commitment to God and a very deep faith. He’s one of the finest kids I’ve ever had.”

Godwin’s dad, also an Ivan Godwin with a different middle name, said he believes his son will succeed at Texas Tech even though electrical engineering is a difficult major.

“He’s very determined ...” the elder Ivan Godwin said. “My wife and I know that whatever he sets his heart and mind on he’ll find success.”