June 2, 2022 at 11:09 a.m.
Class of 2022 bids fond farewell to RHS
Class of 2022 bids fond farewell to RHS
The first speaker of the evening, district superintendent Eric Burke, noted the group's academic and extra-curricular accomplishments and praised them as a class "that cares about others".
Going forward, Burke exhorted the new grads to challenge themselves.
"Get out of your comfort zone. climb a mountain, run a marathon, take challenging classes in college or as part of your job," he urged. "Work like you're being paid a $1 million."
Burke's second "pearl of wisdom" was to "live a life of service to others."
Paraphrasing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Burke noted that "not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love."
Principal Shane Dornfeld noted the group's resilience in overcoming a myriad of pandemic-related challenges over the last two-plus years.
"I feel it's important for you to look back on your journey to this point and feel proud of how you've overcome these obstacles," he said.
"There's no script for life and the door to your future is wide open," he added.
Several of the graduating seniors also addressed the crowd.
Class president Peter Danh reminisced about a path walked together - from naps in the early childhood years to the struggle that is middle school dances - while student council president Maria Heck described the "family" - the parents, teachers, classmates and others who helped lay their foundation.
"Soon we'll all go our separate ways and build our distinctive characters, yet we will all remember the countless memories that only our class could make," Heck said. "No other group of young adults will be able to say their roots lie in the family made at RHS in the last four years."
"Keep your heads up, try your hardest in everything and remember it was your family, the Class of 2022, that built your roots for the chapters ahead," she added.
Sage Flory reminded her classmates that life is short and "we must be patient."
"Be kind with every stranger, every cashier and every creature," she said. "Find happiness in every moment. Again, life is short. Let us not treat it like it's disposable, let us not drop words like bombs."
"Do great things and remember to care for one another and you will be rewarded," she added.
Faculty speaker Steven Jopek offered advice and best wishes on behalf of the staff.
"I hope that when you leave here on whatever journey you have chosen to take that you know and remember that your teachers value you and they have seen your potential," he said. "I look forward to watching you grow beyond the walls of RHS. And while the passing of time is bitter, as I watch you grow older, the sweetness will be in watching you wherever you go, if you are willing to put your heart and your head into it. Your teachers are proud of you, but more importantly you should be proud of yourselves."
Before the distribution of the diplomas, salutatorian Annika Johnson and valedictorian Elijah Evers were recognized for their academic achievements.
In his valedictory speech, Evers challenged his classmates to "cultivate authentic and deep relationships" which he described as far more valuable that "fleeting accolades".
"As our high school careers come to a close and we walk away from our childhoods, I wish to impart two main points upon you - give your family and friends all the gratitude you can muster and while you look to grow, reach your potential and achieve big goals, never ever allow yourself to sacrifice your relationships for personal achievements," he said.
With the speeches finished and the sun beginning to set, one by one each student made the milestone walk to the stage for a congratulatory handshake and the precious certificate that signifies the completion of their high school careers.
After the last diploma was handed out, Dornfeld had the last word.
He directed the new graduates to move their tassles to the left and with a proud flourish formally presented the newest graduates to the community. The rite of passage complete, the new grads tossed their caps high in the air, exchanging hugs and high fives as they walked out of the stadium and into their future.
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