Pomeroy 2023 graduates complete this chapter

POMEROY–The graduating class of 2023 took their positions on the risers facing family, friends, teachers, administrators, school board members, and supporters at the 132nd Commencement Ceremony in the High School Gymnasium, Saturday, June 3 at 2:30 p.m.

Magic filled the air when 17 Pomeroy High School graduates processed through the ceremonial arch, down the aisle to "Pomp and Circumstance" by Edward Elgar, passed their greatest supporters, to the risers where they took their place of prominence. Once there, Associated Student Body President Jillian Herres led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance, then welcomed by Senior Class President Kendall Dixon.

Salutatorian Chase Caruso, presented her address to the senior class.

"Hello friends, family, teachers, faculty, and all other guests here today. My name is Chase Caruso for those of you who do not know me and I am thankful to be here speaking to all of you today. Thank you all for joining us on this special day to celebrate the class of 2023.

We appreciate everyone who has helped us, and supported us throughout the years.

I am proud to say I have attended Pomeroy since Kindergarten and have created many memories here. I am so grateful to have so many amazing friends, community members, and family members in my life. And I would like to give a special thank you, on behalf of the entire graduating class, to all the teachers who have had an impact on all of us over the years. Without you we would not be here today. Thank you for all the time and effort you have invested into us.

Growing up here will be an experience that I will never forget. I will forever cherish the memories and friendships I made throughout school.

As my fellow classmates and I move on to the next chapter of our lives, I wish each and everyone of us the best of luck and success in all we do.

My Classmates have kept things very interesting over the years, never letting a dull moment arise. From competing in spirit week competitions, such as all the boys dressing up as cheerleaders for a lip-sync freshmen year, to just being together in class; I will never forget the non-stop jokes and laughs. I want to thank my classmates for always making school more than just a place of learning. Without all of you, there would not be as many memories and fun times to look back on. Though there were days when most of you made me want to rip my hair out...I wouldn't change a thing. Sometimes I wonder how the staff put up with us for so many years with all the chaos, but we got by somehow.

The class of 2023 has been through a lot together, and separately, which has shaped us into who we all are today. I am proud of us and all our accomplishments over the years, especially the accomplishments we are here to celebrate today.

Today marks a milestone in our lives that we will never forget and always value. We made it through the challenges of high school while also enjoying the good times together, which is something we should all be proud of. The boys would always say "D is for diplomas" which I thought was a joke, but now I think they "actually" lived by that.

Thank you all once again for being here with us today."

High School Principal Daniel Wendt then spoke to the graduating class and attendees of the trials, impressions of life in his new position at PHS.

"Parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends of our graduates. Today I want to thank you; thank you for raising such fine young men and women; individuals who have been such a delight to work with for the past school year.

However, I do have some concerns about this group of Seniors. I have concerns about their driving ability, or lack thereof. It seems that they still need to take lessons on how to correctly park their cars in a parking lot. I am also concerned about their physical health. It seems that they all came down with some kind of terrible disease this past Monday, it even affected all of them at about the same time, right after first period. This disease has the classic symptoms of a malady known within the halls of this school as "senioritis." I am wondering if this ceremony today could be the cure for this rampant virus?

I also think that our Seniors sitting back there would tell you that one of the causes of this "senioritis" is what we teach in school. Mr. Kimble, why do we have to know parli-pro or how to tell the difference between Hereford, Duroc, Angus, Suffolk, or Holstein? All we want is to go to the store and pick out a tasty T-bone. Mrs. Bye and Mrs. McGreevy, you try to tell us that an ancient guy named Shakespeare is important to my life and wrote in the language called English? Sounds Greek to me!

Seniors, I want you to know that you have learned that these things are important, and in addition you have learned something called "character." Character is learned by facing challenges–challenges that come with school. Challenges like, I got home so late from our game last night I can't possibly get out of bed and come to school. Challenges like – my parents expect me to get A's and B's but I can't even begin to do this homework.

Let me give you a couple of examples of character which our students have shown. A few weeks ago, I was attending a track meet which qualified competitors to go to state. Trevin Walton was doing the long jump. When the judges announced those who had qualified for the finals in this event, Trevin noticed that they had missed one individual, a competitor from another team who had a jump that should have qualified him to move on. Trevin told the judges who reviewed the results and found the mistake they had made. In the finals, that competitor, who Trevin had stood up for, had a personal best and went on to state. That is character.

When I came to Pomeroy, one of the first things that happened to me was the dress code. The students said that the dress code had been changed and allowed them to wear leggings and hats. As I looked at the student handbook, I didn't see that this change had happened. So, I called on our ASB President Jillian Herres and told her that leggings and hats would not be allowed.

Instead of arguing with me about the issue, Jillian listened to the process I outlined for her and the students to follow in order to get the dress code changed.

After months of work and two presentations to the teachers and one to the School Board, the policy was changed. That was character, to take a no and rather than get all upset, to work through the process to make a positive change.

Seniors, each one of you has learned character as you have attended 13 years of school. You have learned how to stand up for someone wronged, how to take a no and change it to a yes, how to gracefully accept defeat, how to celebrate success, how to balance priorities, how to show sportsmanship, and how to get along with others who have different opinions. These character traits will help you to be successful adults who are valuable members of our society.

Congratulations on your perseverance and good luck in your future endeavors."

Valedictorian Katie Boyer presented her address with memories of the 13 years in Pomeroy schools, quips of pranks played and of being a "teacher's nightmare" and how the class journeyed through each challenge to the successful graduates of today.

"Welcome friends, faculty, and family members of my fellow graduates. My name is Katie Boyer and I am honored to be able to stand before you today and reflect upon the past 13 years.

Many of you have heard a graduation speech before, and this one will likely not be memorable or unique, but what is memorable is the group of graduates sitting before you.

I have had the pleasure of growing up with these people and watching them grow with me. I have ridden the waves with this class through the ups and downs, and I can say with confidence that I would not have wanted to take the journey with anyone else.

If you knew this class back when we were in elementary school, you would definitely agree with me when I say we turned out better than anyone thought we would.

For those of you who are relatively unfamiliar with Pomeroy's graduating class of 2023, in elementary school, this class was a teacher's worst nightmare. I remember the constant stream of bad notes left by substitute teachers and the lectures to our entire class about poor behavior, but especially the three teachers who retired, conveniently, after dealing with our class.

I remember one event that happened in Mrs. Beale's second grade class. We were all sitting on the floor listening to Mrs. Beale read to us when I started hearing a flicking noise. I looked behind me to see one of my classmates trying to light another classmate's hair on fire with a lighter. That student is sitting on this stage today, they are deeply loved, and I am proud of the person they have become.

This story goes to show that despite our reputation of retiring teachers, this class has blossomed into an amazing group of people with high ambitions and a bright future.

I want to say thank you to this class for making the last 13 years of school more than just school. Most don't remember sitting in classrooms and actually learning, but rather the conversation and events that happen when the teachers aren't looking.

Though we are closing this chapter of life, we have hundreds of memories, both good and bad, to take with us.

I want to thank the staff of Pomeroy School District for shaping us into the successful individuals we are today and I want to apologize to the teachers we rushed towards retirement all those years ago.

Thank you to the parents and families of all the graduates, for if you are anything like mine, your support and patience have been unending.

Finally, on behalf of the entire Class of 2023, I would like to thank the community. Our community does so much for the school district, whether it be supporting our sports teams or passing important levies. Our students are made a top priority and the love we receive from this community is invaluable.

Thank you all for being here to support this unforgettable class, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the ceremony."

The commencement program continued with acknowledgements and class awards made by Principal Wendt, and the presentation of scholarships totaling $132,086, made by Fred Knebel.

"I have the privilege of recognizing our Senior students for their student leadership and academic achievement," said Wendt.

The 2023 awards:

Five seniors served as Senior Class Officers. President, Kendall Dixon; Vice President, Trevin Kimble; Secretary, KayLee Schmidt; Treasurer, Katherine Boyer; and ASB Student Council Representative, Sidney Bales. Thank you, senior class officers, for the job you did this year!

Three served as ASB executive officers: President, Jillian Herres; Secretary, Katherine Boyer; and Representative to the School Board, Chase Caruso. Thank you senior ASB officers for the great work you did and for your time and commitment to the school!

The next recognition is for our seniors who earned academic letters. To earn an academic letter, students must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.25 for two consecutive semesters. First Year Academic Letter Recipients are: Jadence Gingerich, Brodie Magill, and Trevin Walton. Third Year Academic Letter Recipients are: Samuel Lamb, and Kaylee Schmidt. Congratulations to our students who have earned an academic letter for three of their four years of high school.

Fourth Year Academic Letter Recipients are: Katie Boyer, Chase Caruso, Kendall Dixon, Jillian Herres, Trevin Kimble, and Jayden Slusser. Congratulations to our students who have earned an academic letter all four years of high school.

The Principal's High Honor Roster requires students who earn it to take a rigorous schedule all four years of high school. Students qualifying for the Principal's High Honor Roster have received no grade lower than a B, taken no less than six full credit classes per semester, received at least 14 grade points in core curriculum classes, and maintained at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA. Our students who have met these tough requirements are: Katherine Boyer, Chase Caruso, Trevin Kimble, and Kaylee Schmidt. A heartfelt congratulations to these four fine students!

The President's Award for Educational Excellence is earned by keeping a 3.75 GPA or above for the last five semesters and passing all state exams. This year we have two students who have earned this prestigious award. They are: Valedictorian, Katherine Boyer, and Salutatorian, Chase Caruso.

Students who excel at Pomeroy High School can earn an Academic or Honor Diploma. To earn an Academic Diploma students must:

1. Meet all academic graduation requirements in standard core courses; 2. Take three credits of math beyond Algebra 1; 3. Take a full year of chemistry; 4. Complete two years of a foreign language; 5. Have an overall GPA of 3.0; 6. Have a core course grade point average of 2.5.

Our students who have earned an Academic Diploma are: Rilee Thompson, and Christian Zaval. Way to go Rilee and Christian!

An Honor Diploma is for a student who has meet the Academic Diploma requirements ... and... who has also...: 1. Enrolled in College English; 2. Taken four years of math, beginning with Algebra 1 and going through Pre-Calculus or AP Statistics; 3. Have an overall GPA of 3.3; 4.Have a core course GPA of 3.00; and 5. And, have no more than one grade less than a C in grades 10-12.

Our distinguished students who have earned an Honor Diploma are: Valedictorian Katie Boyer, Salutatorian Chase Caruso, Kendall Dixon, Jillian Herres, Trevin Kimble, Samuel Lamb, and KayLee Schmidt. Congratulations to our students who have earned an Honor Diploma ... your hard work has paid off.

Scholarships totaling $132,086 were dispersed to the following seniors:

Tyler Bagby-FFA Alumni-$700

Brady Bott-Mt. Misery Snowdrifters-$1,000; Pomeroy Golf Club-$300; Pomeroy Gun Club SR-$300; Alvin Landkammer-$500; Wenaha Game Association-$300.

Katie Boyer-WSU Regents-$16,000; The Community-$1,000; Miller Family Trust-$10,000; John and Mildred Elsensohn-$500; Lawrence and Margaret Slater-$1,584; WSU Presidential Research-$2,500; Cup of Hope-Be the Community Nazarene Church-$500; Spinners-$500; FFA Alumni-$500; Alvin Landkammer-$500.

Chase Caruso-LCSC Golf Scholarship-$15,756; Pomeroy Golf Club $300; Eula Hastings-$5,000; Pomeroy Grain Growers-$500; FFA Alumni-$1,200; LCSC Achievement-$2,000.

Kendall Dixon-PEO-$500; The Community-$1,100; McGregor-$500; Bertha Schuster Bass-$500; HUGS-$500; Kai Ledgerwood Memorial-$500; Pomeroy Grain Growers/Crop Improvement Association of Garfield County-$1,500; FFA Almni-$1,500; FFA Janine Ledgerwood Memorial-$250; MSU Western Undergraduate Exchange-$19,000.

Jadence Gingerich-First Year Academic Letter Recipient – GPA 3.25; The Community-$1,100; Western Undergraduate Exchange LCSC-$10,342.

Jillian Herres-BMCC Basketball Scholarship-$6,972; Don McGee Memorial-$250; Spinners-$1,000; FFA Alumni-$1,300.

Trevin Kimble-The Community-$1,100; Bertha Schuster Bass-$500; RPW Structural Engineering-$500; FFA Alumni-$1,400; LCSC Western $10,898; LCSC Achievement-$2,000; Pomeroy Daughter of the Pioneers of Washington-$500.

Samuel Lamb-Third Year Academic Letter Recipient – GPA 3.25+

Brodie Magill-Fortitude Barr Family-$2,000;Wes and Harley Ruchert Memorial/Dye Seed Ranch-$500; Pomeroy Grain Growers/Crop Improvement of Garfield County-$1,000; FFA Alumni-$1,000; Pomeroy Gun Club JR-$300.

KayLee Schimdt-Fortitude Barr Family-$1,000; The Community-$1,100; Maxine Cox ; Teaching/GCEA-$1,500; HUGS-$500; FFA Alumni-$600; EWU Deans Scholarship-$8,000.

Jayden Slusser-The Community-$1,100; John and Mildred Elsensohn-$500; Spinners-$2,000; FFA Alumni-$800; Western Undergraduate Exchange LCSC-$10,898; LCSC Achievement-$2,000; LCSC Psych Package-$1,645.

Trevin Walton-Mt. Misery Snowdrifters-$2,000; RPW Structural Engineering-$500; Seeley Theater-$500; Spinners-$500; FFA Alumni-$900; FFA Larry Wilson Memorial-$500; Bauermeister Family Memorial-$1,500.

Senior Class Advisor Toddette McGreevy took the podium to prepare the graduating class for the Senior Video Show. The graduates took their seats, and holding glow sticks, whipped them over their heads of the darkened gymnasium, for each classmate's photo op. It was a touching recollection of early, elementary, jr. high, and senior photos-remember when?

The time had come when Superintendent Rachel Gwinn stood at the podium to speak with the graduating class and certify the class. She began by acknowledging the school board members.

"Good afternoon and welcome!

I would like to first introduce our Pomeroy School Board represented by Mr. Geremy Nelson, Mr. Kyle Pearson, and Mrs. Allison McKeirnan.

I would like to also thank several people who have contributed to the success of theses seniors and our district...Pomeroy voters! Thank You! Your support is so appreciated! School Board of Directors, my husband and family, Mr. Wendt, Mr. Knebel, Mrs. McGreevy, and Kelly McKeirnan for being my right-hand man. Pomeroy staff members for your tireless efforts and consistent loyalty to our students and their education. I would also like to thank Maureen Scoggin, who will be retiring this year. She has brought so much love and joy to our students through the arts and literature...she will be missed.

Senior parents...your love and support has been instrumental in today's accomplishment of these seniors. Pomeroy School District's tradition has been to recognize other groups that have played significant roles in the lives of our senior class. At this time, I would like to recognize two groups of people who have played a role in these senior's lives, their grandparents and great-grandparents...

To the graduating class of 2023, today is your day. Your day to reflect on the accomplishments, the failures and the memories of the past four years. Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Moses Lake High School graduation to watch my nephew Maddox graduate. I was quickly reminded of how lucky we are to grow up in a small town and attend a small school. Today, 17 students are being celebrated--compared to the over 500 students who were celebrated last night.

A small school allows all of us to build strong relationships and create lasting memories. Reflecting back on the class of 2023 as third graders, I remember Brodie flipping Mrs. Landkamer off, she was my team teacher-smart that he chose her and not me. Kendall Jean always sharing her wit with all her "Kendallisms"; Jayden always winning the award for the messiest desk; Chase eating a ton of candy as Miss Anne slept on the couch and was supposed to be watching you; Jillian, "de-pants-ing" Trent at a football game fair weekend; Syd being the biggest brown noser, but it was always so much appreciated I could go on and on about my memories with you guys, but today is not about me, it is about you and your memories and accomplishments.

Today is the day you turn the page and start a new chapter...many are college bound, two are planning to compete athletically at the college level, some are going into a trade, which is so needed, and others are going straight into the work force. Be proud of your accomplishments, be proud of where you come from, and continue to make everyone here proud as you enter into this crazy, scary, but amazing world. You get to write your own script, so make it a good one!

With all sincerity and hope, I wish you good luck in your future endeavors...

Now I can officially state: I, Rachel Gwinn, Superintendent of Pomeroy School District No. 110, hereby certify that these members of the Class of 2023 have met or exceeded Pomeroy school district graduation requirements and have also met or exceeded the high school graduation requirements for the State of Washington."

Class roll was given by Senior Advisor Toddette McGreevy followed by the awarding of the diplomas. Each student left the risers to receive their diploma and take a place on the risers for post-graduates. There they took time for family, friends, and this publisher to take their final class photo they will ever have as a group.

Fred Knebel gave them some words of advice and the Class of 2023 were instructed to move their cap tassels to the other side. Then...faaawoop!!! the caps were tossed in the air. The newly graduated class promptly and, unceremoniously this time, shaggily by groups of two, three, or four...quick-stepped it out of the gymnasium to the Cafetorium where they would meet their adoring public.

Congratulation Pomeroy High School Class of 2023, and the best of luck!