A driven class of 90 graduates said goodbye to their time as Tigers at Sterling High School’s annual commencement ceremony Saturday.
The ceremony started with the graduates proceeding into Wally Post Gym to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed by the SHS Band, under the direction of Shauna Snyder, followed by a performance of the “Star Spangled Banner,” by the SHS Jazz Choir, under the direction of Annette Lambrecht.
Next, valedictorian Dillyn Morton gave remarks, calling it a day with happy and sad emotions.
“Every single one of you should be incredibly proud of yourselves, you all have proven time and time again that you’re determined, strong and brave. We did not get to this state by handouts, rather, we worked for this,” she said, telling her fellow graduates they were able to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas because they woke up every single day, no matter how easy or hard, and chose to show up for themselves. “Showing up for yourself is one of the best things you can ever do, it shows how strong-minded and powerful you are.”
Morton said the one word that describes the Class of 2023 is driven.
“Being driven is not just about achieving personal success, but it is also using your talents and abilities to make a positive impact on the world around us. It’s about being a leader and a role model and inspiring others to be the best they can be. Our class already brings so much leadership and spirit into this building, so I have no doubt our class will continue to bring such a positive impact into this world,” Morton said.
Following her remarks, the SHS Jazz Choir and Senior Singers performed the Class of 2023 Mash-Up, “Going, Going, Gone/One Last Time/Five More Minutes/Wait For Me/We Are Young.”
Next, SHS Assistant Principal Joe Skerjanec acknowledged Honors Certification students Reagan Fehringer, Molly Mitchell and Dillyn Morton, who have successfully completed a rigorous, challenging college preparatory program.
He also recognized students who have successfully completed one or more college classes through Northeastern Junior College during their junior and senior year, including: Courtney Bonn, Benjamin Browning, Wyatt Buckley, Adan Cervantes, Halle Conover, Taylor Cranwell, Juan-Valentino Diaz Jr., Reagan Fehringer, Rye Fisher, Charli Frankenfeld, Izaiah Galvin, Mariana Gonzalez, Kyla Graber, Kylee Irwin, Berenice Jimenez, Cahlie Kerker, Alexandria Lambrecht, Ryann Linn, Jalyssa Maker, Ryder McConnell, Karly McKinney, Ayden Miller, Molly Mitchell, Sharyn Monejano, Dillyn Morton, Madison Mustain, Josephine Nelson, Darynee Palser, Caylee Pearce, Anje Pottas, Jessica Ramirez, Jazmin Renteria, Alex Rodine, Sydni Sandoval, Andrew Scavarda, Andrew Scheck, Kaitlynn Storch, Victor Guereca, Mikayla von Steinman, Mason Wells, Nathaniel Whited and Carter Zuege.
Next, Skerjanec recognized students who in their four years of high school have maintained a 3.33 and above grade point average. They include: Courtney Bonn, Rye Fisher, Memphis Gaddis, Pryce Keen, Ryen Lechman, Ryder McConnell, Bethany Meyer, Nora Nation, Josephine Nelson and Andrew Scavarda.
Students who maintained a 3.50 GPA or above include: Matthew Berry, Halle Conover, Taylor Cranwel, Izaiah Galvin, Mariana Gonzalez, Kyla Graber, Ryann Linn, Ayden Miller, Madison Mustain, Darynee Palser and Tristen Whited.
Graduates who maintained a 3.75 GPA or better include: Benjamin Browning, Wyatt Buckley, Reagan Fehringer, Berenice Jimenez, Jalyssa Maker, Sydni Sandoval and Kaitlynn Storch.
Students who maintained a 3.90 GPA or better include: Charli Frankenfeld, Kylee Irwin, Molly Mitchell and Dillyn Morton.
Skerjanec also recognized five graduates who have enlisted in the armed forces: Landen Kerr, Jackson Morales, Gabriel Moreno-Pacheco, MariaElena Vargas, as well as Tristen Whited who graduated at semester and is already serving.
Lastly, scholarship recipients who earned a total of $254,886 were recognized.
Following a slideshow and a performance of “The Great Locomotive Chase” by the SHS Band, the farewell address was given by salutatorian Kylee Irwin, who mentioned her father’s passing just two weeks ago and spoke about pushing through hard times and remembering to stop and enjoy what’s happening right now.
“Class of 2023, when I look at all of you all I think of is home,” she said, recalling memories from elementary through high school. “It makes me so proud, proud that we have made it this far together and maintained such a close relationship despite the chaos we’ve endured. We’ve all been a vital part of each other’s lives, allowing each other to vent and feel safe.”
She pointed out that COVID-19 with all of its challenges made the class closer and more welcoming to each other.
“I want you to remember that we are all here for a reason and you must find and establish that reason. You do not want to look back and regret what you did not do. Embrace every moment and do not take anything for granted,” Irwin told her classmates.
After her remarks, Interim Principal Appelhans presented the class to RE-1 Valley Interim Superintendent Dr. Martin Foster, who accepted the graduates. Each graduate then received their diploma.
Before the ceremony concluded, Appelhans gave a few remarks, speaking about the trials and tribulations the graduates encountered, including finishing a school year online and then enduring cohorts, quarantine and remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, but noted they soldered on and came out stronger.
“Despite that, we have experienced exceptional moments, magical moments and created memories that will be fondly remembered in the years ahead,” he said, talking about how everyone came together for a common cause. “Steadfast, resolute and determined, we all kept together, day by day we focused on our goal, keeping together and working together.”
“How proud we are of the success they have made with all the opportunities that they were offered. Congratulations, we are inordinately proud of you all. You are ready, willing and more than able to grasp the torch that we have bestowed upon you,” Appelhans told the new graduates.
At the close of his speech, graduates celebrated by flipping their tassels, and then the class receded out of the gym to the song “Fanfare and Recessional” and headed off to begin the next chapter of their lives.
The Class of 2023 includes: Vandyn Matthew Atkinson, Robert Kyle Beals, Trevor Ashton Berg, Matthew Bobby Lee Berry, Dillon Joel Boden, Adrianna Elizabeth Bohler, Courtney Marie Bonn, Benjamin Robert Browning, Wyatt Leonard Buckley, Adan Alejandro Cervantes, Morelia Chavez Gomez, Halle Sue Conover, Autum Jewel Conrad, Brianna Marie Corson, Taylor Ann Cranwell, Michael Jerell DeLeon, Juan-Valentino Zamora Diaz, Jr., Lillie Nichole Everitt, Reagan Riley Fehringer, Rye Taylor Fisher, Charli Rose Frankenfeld, Zayra Mariela Fuentes, Memphis Tyler Gaddis, Anthony Esequil Gallegos, Izaiah Emilio Galvin, Dakota Michael Gillespie-Herrera, Mariana Gonzalez, Jacob Thomas Gordon, Kyla Marie Graber, Kolby Ryan Hernandez, Kylee Nicole Irwin, Janeli Kenia Jaquez, Ashlee Savannah Jenkins, Berenice Jimenez, Pryce Ryan Keen, Cahlie Maleiya Kerker, Landen Richard Kerr, Zoe Alexandra Knight, Roxanne Jean Lambert, Alexandria Marie Lambrecht, Ryen Glenn Lechman, Ryann Violet Linn, Marlene Lopez Hielo, Jalyssa Paige Maker, Trinity Infinity Martinez, Yadira Martinez Cardenas, Ryder Gene McConnell, Karly Grace McKinney, Sonia Nicole Meraz, Bethany Alvera Meyer, Torilynn Dael Mildenberger, Ayden William Miller, Molly Marie Mitchell, David Monge, Sharyn Anne Montejano, Jackson Ignacio Morales, Gabriel John Moreno-Pacheco, Dillyn Reese Morton, Madison Lachelle Mustain, Nora Jade Nation, Josephine Lynn Nelson, Darynee Johntessa Palser, Caylee Madison Pearce, Anje Pottas, Jessica Ramirez, Joan Ramirez Suarez, Jazmin Alise Renteria, Abigail Azeneth Reyes, Kellynda Jarele Reyna-Holguin, Alex Raymond Rodine, Bertha Anel Rodriguez, Jase Jonathan Samber, Sydni Lynn Sandoval, Andrew Lee Scavarda, Andrew Michael Scheck, Chloe Alyssa Scott, Lyllan Rose Shaver, Kaitlynn Sue Storch, Jolie Mae Tidwell, Jacqulynn Renee Trujillo, MariaElena Patricia Vargas, Victor Velasquez Guereca, Vincent Velez, Andy Velez Rivera, Mikayla Alyssa Marie von Steinman, Mason Janean Marie Wells, Nathaniel Wayne Whited, Tristen Willard Whited, Gannon Scot Yocom and Carter Allen Zuege.
