By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
Junction City High School graduates in the class of 2022 went through a lot. That was one message delivered by senior Jada Nabus during her speech at commencement Sunday. "We were the last class to attend the Freshman Success Academy, and school getting cancelled after spring break of our sophomore year due to COVID leading to the longest summer ever. " Nabus mentioned other challenges including online school and Zoom classes plus going to school in masks. "New principals and admin, starting our senior year two weeks late, extended school days due to late start and too many snow days and more."
Nabus said along with obstacles comes opportunity. "Because of what we've been through we're going to be difference makers."
Jay Diestelkamp, Senior Class President, referred to the challenging times faced by the class but said those days are behind them He talked about what comes next, focusing on the need to strive as their mission in life. "As humans we get a unique experience from all other living things on our planet. We get the choice to thrive."
Diestelkamp said we control our lives and point them in the direction that we think suits us best. "We live to build connections, have experiences, and accomplish our dreams. To thrive we must follow our dreams."
The class of 2022 started a new annual commencement tradition, that will include having a book that will be signed by all of the graduates.
Names of 282 graduates were listed in the program at commencement.