Every chapter in life comes to an end at some point. For the seniors of Piute High, their story and time in high school came to a close on Thursday, May 23. The graduating class was filled with energy as their moment had arrived. The gym was decorated with their pictures and accomplishments and was filled with family, friends and teachers.
To start the evening, the gymnasium rang with the classic graduation song composed by Edward Elgar. Coming from different sides of the gym, one boy and girl met in the middle in front of the south side bleachers and walked down the aisle to the stage.
Emma Wilde, the class president, kicked off graduation with her speech. During her speech, she took a second to take one more picture with the graduates, 0.5 style. Her message to the class was all about living in the moment, because there will be firsts and lasts, so soak them all in.
Next to speak was valedictorian Hannah Davis. After her welcoming invocation, she gave a speech with a positive message to choose your own path. Don’t let what others say dictate who you are and who you will become. We can make our own future. That is the beauty of graduating high school. Students leave behind something familiar to explore the unknown and make their lives.
After the valedictorian speech, Kole Westwood introduced the keynote speaker, John Westwood. Before the graduation, John had placed a small parcel of paper under all the seniors’ seats. On that paper read, “stick to your past.” This was the theme of his speech. It is important to know where one comes from, to help know where to go. Without all the things people have gone through, done, and accomplished, there would be no now.
Following John Westwood, a senior slideshow was played for the audience and class. Pictures and videos of fun memories were displayed. After the slideshow, Makayla Miramontes and Jaxon Westwood, the jokesters of the senior class, got up to tell some class memories.
Finally, the graduation started to come to a close as Principal Shauna Bagley did the presentation of seniors speech and superintendent Koby Willis followed with the acceptance of graduates speech. Then, one by one, senior by senior stood up solely in front of the crowd as Morgan Hoyt and Whitney Mills read aloud what that particular senior’s plans for the future were. Then the seniors would walk down the stage and receive their diploma and get in a line to say a final goodbye to all the faculty of Piute High. After each senior received their diploma, they rejoined on the stage and Emma Wilde announced the senior salute.
Congratulations Piute High School class of 2024!
– by Ari Hurdsman
Feature image caption: Hannah Davis speaks to Piute High School’s class of 2024 at their graduation on May 23. Courtesy of AJ Martel, The Byway.
Ari Hurdsman – Junction
Ari Hurdsman is a junior journalist at the Byway. She just recently moved to Ephraim, Utah, where she is a freshman at Snow College. She enjoys writing about Piute sports, and she’s really good at it! In her free time, she enjoys singing, dancing, reading and hanging out with friends and family.