(Lander, WY) – There was a slight breeze at Saturday, May 23rd’s Lander Valley High School graduation ceremony, but that didn’t stop these graduates from celebrating their big day.
The LVHS band played on as members of the Military Science class began the presentation of colors, leading into a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by the school’s Valley Singers.
Lander School Board Chairperson Jared Kail then welcomed the crowd and introduced the 307 Alliance Singers, who performed an “Honor Song.”
The first speaker of the night was student Mackenzie Janish, one of LVHS’s top academic seniors. “Life is short, and your worth is of utmost importance,” Janish told her peers.
Next up was the faculty speaker, Jeremy Francom, chosen by the graduating class to address the class of 2021.
Francom regaled the crowd with an amusing story of a student who ate a spicy pepper from one of his plants on a day he had a substitute, then humorously tied it in with advice about taking chances in life.
“You don’t know how fun life can be if you don’t take a chance every now and then,” Francom stated.
The 2nd student speaker, Xak Thomas-Guerzon, also a top academic senior, then took the stage. “I hope you all learn to live in the moment,” Xak told her fellow graduates.
The Valley Singers then took the stage a second time, singing “Lonesome Road,” and student body president Kaleb Simonson soon followed to commence with the turning of the tassles.
Principal Brad Neuendorf and Vice-Principal Hillary Reisig then offered some final words before introducing the LVHS class of 2021, who were so excited they could barely keep the caps on their heads.
Also honored and acknowledged were the following students who have been recruited into various branches of the U.S. military: Conner Ayers, Justin George, Brandon Goulet, Camron Kitchen, Tucker McDonald, John Whitley, and Colton Wietzki. Thank you for your current and future service to our country young men!
In lieu of valedictorians and salutatorians, LVHS honors their top ten academic seniors. They are as follows: Jennifer Bautz, Vaishnavi Bhavsar, Kaycee Conder, Sierra Firth, Megan Haratyk, Mackenzie Janish, Garrett Link, Emilee Sheridan, Xak Thomas-Guerzon, Jessica White, L’anza White, Hazel Womack.
Congratulations LVHS grads, you did it!
