CCHS graduates asked to embrace “challenges, struggles, questions"

Churchill County High School held its 2023 commencement on the Ed Arciniega Athletic Complex on May 26.

Once graduates were seated, Navy pilots from the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center flew two F-18 Super Hornets directly over attendees after the Naval Junior ROTC presented the colors, and the vocal ensemble Minor Details sang the national anthem.

Following the invocation by Tyson Sorensen, Principal Tim Spencer chose to skip the usual quotes, stories and dad jokes and instead consulted a Magic 8 Ball to give graduates some insight for the future.

Addressing the 8 Ball, he asked, “Should you wear tennis shoes to an interview?”

“My sources say ‘no,’” Spencer read the reply. “You guys need to dress for success.”

The rest of his list included advice to always have a sense of humor, know your value, keep learning and don’t be a know-it-all. He also said being lazy may pay off now but working hard will get you closer to your goals.

CCHS Honors School Valedictorian Camille Winder spoke about changing the world through kindness, cultivating gratitude and recognizing what truly matters.

“We will never regret showing kindness to someone. As we show kindness to others we can change people’s worlds,” she said. “In a very polarized and hateful world people have forgotten that you can show respect to someone without agreeing with them.

“Our kindness should not be contingent on someone’s religious, political, moral, or other views.”

Winder continued by thanking the teachers, staff members, coaches, leaders, parents, family, friends and more.

“We each have so much to be grateful for, especially today,” she said. “I encourage you to express gratitude to all those who have impacted you throughout your life and high school journey.”

She concluded with, “What truly matters is what’s right here in our hearts, our character, how we treat others, how we use our skills, talents, education and abilities to bless others. You will change the world by being the best you, you can be.”

Jump Start Valedictorian Gerik Wassmuth followed with his own advice to his fellow graduates about what to do at this turning point in their lives. He encouraged them to hold themselves to a higher standard than others may expect them to through self-discipline and accountability.

“Regardless of how high school treated you, I urge each of you to keep trying to improve yourself each day,” he said. “No matter how amazing these last few years were, you don’t want this to be the peak of your life. There’s still so much more in store for you.”

Wassmuth ended his speech with a “Rickroll” by unexpectedly reciting the chorus lyrics of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” and walked off the stage amid loud cheers and laughter.

Next, Student Body President Lydia Bergman and Vice President RayAnn Rassmussen presented the recognition of retiring teachers Tammi Carrington, Bonnie Hargis, Capt. Robert Kermen and Dean Schultz.

The Senior Class gift of donations to build new snack bars, announcer booths and restrooms for the high school’s baseball and softball fields was then presented by Senior Class President Graycee Tibbals and Vice President Kenadee McKnight. They said the seniors wanted the gift to be something that the students and their biggest supporters — parents, teachers and staff and the community — could enjoy. Any extra proceeds from the gift will go toward renovating the Edward Arciniega Complex.

Speaking on behalf of the senior class, they encouraged the upcoming classes to enjoy their time at CCHS and not to wish it away.

“We want to give you guys a great place to stop and remember those little moments. With our gift we hope that you remember to stop and look around, live in the moment and cherish the ones you get,” they said.

Keynote speaker retiring Superintendent Summer Stephens spoke about approaching life with gusto and searching for the defining moments.

She wore a necklace made of some pieces of the plastic silverware that she said were found planted in the grass of the high school quad as part of this year’s senior prank. Although she said she was disappointed that the entire quad wasn’t filled with silverware, she “turned the prank into treasure by looking for the gift that was inside of it.”

Stephens encouraged the graduates to embrace “the challenges, the struggles, the questions, the circumstances that occur in your journey” as opportunities.

“When you take these moments of pain and strife and reframe these as opportunities for learning, you turn setbacks into defining moments that empower you and motivate you,” she continued. “You will all have setbacks and you will all have disappointments, but you all can do hard things. It’s your time, my friends. You own the world in front of you and the world needs exactly who you were meant to be.”

Graduates then received their diplomas to the sounds of cheers, applause and the occasional air horn from the crowd.

Science and Spanish instructor Lance Lattin announced names and School Board President Tricia Strasdin, Clerk Amber Getto and Acting Clerk Kathryn Whitaker presented diplomas assisted by Stephens. Spencer shook hands as each graduate left the stage.

Tibbals led the class of 2023 in switching their tassels from right to left, Sheriff Richard Hickox gave the benediction and the graduates tossed their caps into the air as another graduation ended.