19 turn tassels at HHS

Sunday afternoon not only marked a day to honor Mothers, but to also recognize graduates of Haxtun High School. Nineteen students entered graduation ceremonies on Sunday, May 12 and exited as Haxtun High School graduates after hearing from fellow classmates and administration and receiving diplomas in a gym packed full of friends, family and community members.

Graduate Kaiden Schelling welcomed the Class of 2024, parents and guests following the traditional entrance to pomp and circumstance on a dreary, wet Sunday afternoon. Graduates entered in red and black gowns, the two colors chosen by the class. Schelling thanked those who have shown their support to the class though out the years.

"On behalf of the graduating class, I thank you all for the endless support you have shown us throughout our years at Haxtun Schools. You have been there for us as we grew up in, or joined, this amazing community," Schelling said. "You have helped shape us into the people we are and the people we will continue to be after today. Each of you has shown up to support us as we played our favorite sports or competed in our favorite FBLA, FFA or FCCLA competitions. For that, we are forever grateful."

Schelling asked his classmates to cherish the memories made and friendships gained at Haxtun and wished each of them luck as they enter a new stage in life.

Haxtun High School Principal Amanda Ridlen then called Salutatorian Brock Miller to the stage for his address to the audience. Miller said eight of the 19 graduates started preschool together, even then, with a goal to graduate though they may not have realized it at the time.

"We have had many memories together ranging from Ameri-Town, to the wildfire that will always be etched into our brains, to sweet victorious and gut-wrenching defeats. These are things that we have shared that nobody can take away from us no matter our future," the Salutatorian said. "But today one chapter closes and another one opens as we leave graduates of Haxtun High School. My challenge to you is to sit and think about what you want your next chapter to look like. After today we all have a clean slate and page one of a new chapter. Whether you are planning on pursuing a college degree, going into the trades or workforce or joining the military, it is all unwritten and undermined. Each and every decision we make has an impact, both positively and negatively."

Miller also highlighted three main characteristics he believes are needed to succeed in the next stage of life including character, integrity and grit. Character he said, is who you surround yourself with. Integrity is simple and as he put it, in the words of High School Football Coach JD Stone, "Just be a good dude." Grit will separate the classmates apart from others and is what Miller believes will help his classmates will rise above the rest.

"There's something to be said about growing up in a rural community that places values on faith, family and hard work. It is because of these values that have been instilled in us that we will not fail, but we will succeed and we will accomplish our goals and make an impact on society and those around us even though we are from a small town," Miller said. "It's time to pencil in the beginning of this next chapter, I can't wait to see all that we accomplish. So, congratulations my friends and never forget what the Haxtun brand means and that Once a bulldog, always a bulldog."

Valedictorian Cassidy Goddard followed Miller at the podium, beginning her speech with a quote she's tried to live by throughout her time at Haxtun Schools.

"I want to begin by sharing a quote with you that has helped lead my life. It goes 'Good, Better, Best. Never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best.'"

Goddard said that while the quote primarily came into play throughout her sports career, she has also used it in her time as a student at Haxtun Schools.

She walked through beginning as an elementary school where papers earn markings like, "good work," at the top. And then students move onto learning reading, writing and multiplying.

"We learn the importance of completing good schoolwork. But it is also where we start to become the people we are today," the Valedictorian said. "We learned to pick up classmates when they fell on the playground. We learned to say kind things to the people around us. When to say please and thank you. And that holding the door for others is a nice thing to do. Elementary is where we started learning how to be good people."

She said then came middle school where students learned the bar had been raised and their good work needed to be better. Before they knew it, it was time for high school and things got even harder.

"There became more extracurriculars, meaning we had much less free time. It wasn't uncommon for us to have the stress of a big game on Saturday and a big assignment due at midnight the Friday before. Not the best situation, as any athlete would know. In times like this, we were given the chance to grow, to prioritize our academics and activities, to learn how to make our better work into our best work," she said. "High school is also a time of growth for students as individuals. We learn to make friends outside of just the people in our class. We learn that the drama of high school is inevitable but that how we reacted to it was most important. As the four years of high school flew by, we matured and grew up into the young adults we are today. By the time we became seniors, we'd had the chance to try to be the best versions of ourselves."

In closing, Goddard encouraged her fellow classmates to make their good choices better and their better best as they enter a new stage in life. "This isn't to say you have to be better than everyone else, just the best you can possibly be at whatever you do."

Before Ridlen took the stage to deliver diplomas, graduate Mason Bornhoft presented the class gift and composite. Bornhoft said the Class of 2024 provided funds to purchase a new popcorn machine for the concession stand in the high school lobby. The class composite, on display on Sunday, will join the rest in the high school hallway.

Following Bornhoft's presentation, LouAnn Buccelli and Goddard presented the slideshow presentation, featuring favorite quotes and photos of all 19 graduates. After that, graduates presented parents, family members and special guests with the class flower, a red rose, to the song, "Five More Minutes."

Ridlen began by telling graduates that it was their hard work, resilience and determination that got them to this moment at graduation.

"Remember the lessons you've learned, the friendships you've forged and the memories you've created during your time here at Haxtun," she said. She asked each graduate to stand, face the crowd and to look at those who have supported them throughout the years.

The Principal also challenged each with a few tasks as they enter this new stage in life. Ridlen challenged the Class of 2024 to become responsible adults, to be intentional about relationships and to be involved in their communities.

"While away, consider wearing something in Bulldog Red on the last Friday of the month to connect with your inner Dog. Keep in touch with your friends, you will need each other."

In closing, Ridlen read a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson and certified to the Superintendent and School Board that the 19 adults before them had met the requirements of graduation and presented each with their high school diplomas. As each graduate walked across the stage to receive their diploma, Ridlen read aloud their future plans and career choices.

As tassels were turned and graduation caps flew into the air in excitement, graduates exited the gym to their chosen song, "Don't Stop Believing," by Journey. And as the class quote goes, "Life Goes On," for the 19 graduates as they enter this next stage of live as Haxtun High School alumni.