The Rye High School graduating class of 2022 traded their pandemic masks for sunglasses to protect them from the bright sun as they marched to and from the Rye High School football field for the 2022 commencement ceremony, which took place on Friday morning at 11:00 a.m.
Principal Michelle Mann Madril shared that the 40 graduates were the smallest class in her nine years as Principal of RHS. She shared that each class had a personality, and that this class impressed her with how they dealt with the pandemic and other unknowns caused by the pandemic.
“This class has learned flexibility, resilience, and not to take little things for granted,” shared Madril.
Madril shared a quote by Charles Swindoll, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”
Morgan Elarton, Student Body President, welcomed everyone and thanked the parents in the audience for there ‘compassion and love’. Elarton then stayed near the podium to be introduced by Madril as the first of two students who tied for Salutatorian.
With perfect, comedic timing Elarton said, “Hello again,” after Madril introduced her with a 4.23 GPA, as a three-sport athlete, active in student government all four years and as a member of the Honor Society, among other things.
Gracie Pfalmer-Graham was the other salutatorian recognized. Pfalmer-Graham also had a 4.23 GPA, six advance placement classes, was active in two sports, Senior class President as well as National Honor Society.
Pfalmer-Graham reminisced about high school and shared a quote,” If something makes you sad when it ends; it must have been pretty wonderful when it was happening.”
Pfalmer-Graham echoed her principal when she shared how much she had grown to appreciate little things and shared her growing fondness for dragonflies, which she learned were the symbol of hope, change and love.
At about 11:25 a.m. the wind got much stronger. Perhaps, a foreshadowing of the speech by Valedictorian Schon Moore. Moore came up carrying a car steering wheel and began by thanking those who had underestimated him or taken him for granted.
Why? He concluded those people were what had helped him become the person he is today. Moore had a 4.24 GPA, six advanced placement classes, and was on his way to Colorado School of Mines.
Moore shared his belief that life was a game, and that life needed attacked. Perhaps with tongue in cheek, and perhaps not, he concluded that everyone in the audience was the best. “You are all the best, except me, I’m better.” He closed with these words. “For those of you who wondered what I would do if I lost, I guess we’ll never know.”
He then took his steering wheel and left the stage.
After Guidance Counselor, Juli Highberger announced the scholarship winners and recognized seniors with military destinations, local District 70 Board Member John Christenson announced the class had met the requirements for graduation and, with the help of class sponsors Nathan Beeman and Rose Siepamann, handed them their diplomas.
Included in the 40 diplomas were ten students who were awarded the gold cord (3.8 GPA or better) ,and seven who were awarded the Silver Cord (3.4 GPA or better).
There were emotional moments: the raising of the colors by the Pueblo County Sheriff, and a point in the invocation when Pastor Jeff Moats of Greenhorn Valley Baptist referenced the tragedy at Uvalde. Moats prayed that those present could learn diligence in difficult times and sympathy, empathy and compassion in times of sadness.
The class motto was penned by Graham DiMatteo, who passed away during the school year. “Life is like a sandwich. No matter which way you flop it; the bread comes first,”
There were goodbyes to three long time employees: Jim Hale, Tammy VanOort, and Kathy Reeves.
“We’ve all had lots of challenges,” shared Senior Class President Pfalmer-Graham, “and those challenges aren’t over. But as our athletes at the state baseball tournament today would say, ‘If your uniform isn’t dirty, you haven’t been in the game.’”
Madril closed the event with comments from Adam Baumgardner, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, who was with the RHS baseball team during the ceremony. “Ten years from now you may not remember much about your graduation. You’ll remember T.J. Blackhursts fishing stories. Mrs. Van Oort’s sarcastic comments. Mr. Pigg’s dance moves at the Senior Prom and how silly Mrs. Madril (4’11.5” tall) and Mr. Baumgardner (6’7”) look standing next to each other.”
An hour after it began, the ceremony ended. Forty graduates marched away. Facing the next facet of their young lives.