Carson High School Class of 2023 graduates

Before letting his Class of 2023 seniors proceed onto Carson High School’s football stadium proudly to “Pomp and Circumstance,” Principal Bob Chambers gave them a private message of encouragement about the type of students they were this year.

“What I want to say to you guys is, yours is a truly very nice and kind class,” Chambers said. “You may have had senioritis, and it may have showed in your attendance but it did not show in your attitude toward your classmates, it did not show toward your teachers…but overall, you guys have participated in very smooth sailing since your freshman year.”

Carson High School’s Class of 2023 leadership students, led by Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets, begin the processional Saturday. 

Chambers, making sure Carson City’s newest graduates wouldn’t forget to brush their teeth as they move forward, led Saturday’s ceremony that announced 459 graduates during its commencement according to the Carson City School District.

Senior speeches were led by Jacob Xie and Sam Davis, and senior class president Tiana Griffin and Sami Schofield also presented messages.

Carson High School graduates walk in the parade during the processional during commencement Saturday. 

Xie, who plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno and study computer science, said his high school experience with the pandemic was hard to define specifically. He said although 2020 at first felt like a vacation, he quickly realized the “butterfly effect” it had. He said he learned how important it is to treat others with kindness after some of the challenges that resulted from the social and academic challenges.

“The world’s complicated, but sometimes you have to take a step back and treat others with kindness and think about others and how you can make others’ lives better,” he said.

Carson High School graduates walk in the parade during the processional during commencement Saturday. 

Davis, who plans to attend Brigham Young University, said while he’s interested in physics and astronomy, he would like to take other classes to determine what he’ll study.

“It doesn’t feel real,” he said about graduating. “I haven’t fully processed it in my mind. I’m not coming back here to public education. … It does feel like we’ve lost some years. It’s impacted our learning a lot, but I think it made us stronger learners and made us care about our learning more because it was harder to do.”

Graduate Jacob Xie gives a senior speech. 

Schofield said she worked as student body president to help keep her classmates motivated, especially in the last few months. Schofield also plans to attend BYU.

“I just wanted to make the last year memorable for the seniors, and it was hard work,” she said. “But I learned to work through it, and I had big support.”

Griffin said she will be attending UNR and plans to double major in its pre-nursing program and dance.

Graduate Sam Davis gives a senior speech.

 

“I’ve been dancing my whole life, and I’ve always wanted to work with kids and be in pediatrics,” she said.

She also transferred from a small private school of a class of 18 to Carson High’s nearly 500 students, which was a major change for her but said it was worth it.

“I’m honored to graduate from here,” she said. “I love this school.”

Senior class president Tiana Griffin, left, and student body president Sami Schofield address their fellow graduates during commencement Saturday.

 Saturday’s graduation also recognized various academic recognitions and honors of students, recognized by colored cords or stoles, and officers serving in national or local academic or community organizations.

Superintendent Andrew Feuling, who assisted in handing out the diplomas, wished all of Carson City’s 2023 graduates success in their next chapter.

Carson High School Principal Bob Chambers congratulates graduate Stella Thornton as she crosses the platform Saturday.

 “It’s a well-known fact that the finest seniors in the state of Nevada happen to reside in Carson City, and it was a great day to celebrate them and brag about them and see all of the wonderful things that they have accomplished and been recognized for,” Feuling said. “…The excitement, the electricity in the air with all of the families — it was just a fabulous day. I feel the state of Nevada is incredibly fortunate to have such a great group of kids coming out to make a difference in the world.”

Carson High School Principal Bob Chambers provides last-minute instruction to the Class of 2023 and gives final last advice before they proceed to commencement.

 

Carson City School Board Trustee Lupe Ramirez, left, hands Carson High School graduate Sebastian Nunez his diploma as he crosses the platform Saturday.

Carson High School graduates enter from the processional to take their seats.

 

 

Carson High School graduates show their decorated caps during their graduation ceremony Saturday.

 

Carson High graduates wait to cross the stage for their diplomas Saturday.