Cade Killin, co-valedictorian and class president; Lauren Herman, co-valedictorian; Kristin Vieselmeyer, co-valedictorian and citizenship award recipient; and Baylor Struckmeyer, citizenship award recipient
46 seniors cross graduation stage
Friends, family and community members witnessed 46 seniors graduate at the Holyoke JR/SR High School gymnasium on a beautiful afternoon Sunday, May 15.
Superintendent Kyle Stumpf welcomed the large crowd, and counselor Ashley Clayton announced that there were not one, not two, but three co-valedictorians for Holyoke High School’s Class of 2022.
Cade Killin, Lauren Herman and Kristin Vieselmeyer took the podium as co-valedictorians and gave some words of widsom to their classmates one last time.
“We are here in large part because we are resiliant and because we stuck together,” said Killin.
Herman encouraged the class to live in the moment. “We are extremely blessed with the gift of time,” she said.
“Today is the first day of the rest of our lives,” added Vieselmeyer.
Susan Roll Walters of the American Legion Auxiliary presented the female citizenship award to Kristin Vieselmeyer, and Steve Millage of the American Legion Post 90 presented the male citizenship award to Baylor Struckmeyer.
Special music at the commencement ceremony included “Fantasy on Scarborough Fair” by a small ensemble from the high school band and “A Million Dreams” that featured senior vocalists of Sound Check.
Principal Angela Powell addressed the Class of 2022 and compared its potential to that of a bamboo tree. “Someday you will reap the benefits of all your hard work,” she said. “Have faith even when it seems impossible.”
She told students that they have truly left a Dragon legacy and that they will always be part of the Dragon family. “We can’t wait to see the things you have yet to accomplish!”
Diplomas and scholarships were presented by Clayton and school board members Dusty Sprague and Nain Vasquez.
A slideshow played while the class gave gold-tipped white roses and plenty of hugs to family, friends and former teachers.
Killin, who was the class president, gave a farewell speech and led the recessional to the class song, “I Lived,” by OneRepublic.
Graduates greeted attendees outside in the sunshine.