Milaca High School seniors gathered in the main high school gym Friday, May 18, alongside their family, friends, and relatives to celebrate their graduation.
The sounds of the Milaca High School band performing the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” arranged by Jack Bullock and directed by Andrew Nelson echoed throughout the gym as the seniors made their way to their seats.
Following the playing of the national anthem by the band, class president Gabriel Jergens took the stage for a welcome speech.
Jergens said that graduation was the start of the next chapter in their lives.
“We are thankful for all you have done for us,” Jergens said of all the family members and supporters of the graduating class. “We look forward to the future, knowing that you have been there for us in the past, and that you will always be there for us in this next phase in our lives.”
Jergens concluded his speech by welcoming the audience to the graduation ceremony for the class of 2024.
As Jergens returned to his seat, the Milaca High School Concert Choir under the direction of Jacob Barness performed “The Times They Are-A-Changing” arranged by Adam Podd.
Following the choir’s performance, seniors Maggie Westling and Braden Taylor gave the “Senior Reminisce” speech to recap some of the most memorable moments for the graduating class.
“Each memory holds a story, a laugh, or a lesson,” Taylor said.
The pair shared memories from fifth grade and the fidget spinners that ran rampant throughout the school.
They then shared memories from various field trips before moving onto the COVID-19 pandemic, including Zoom classes, playing video games together during their online classes, and making lunch at home over those Zoom calls.
“COVID brought out some of our more creative sides,” Taylor said.
Westling then took the opportunity to remind the seniors of when one student tried to become famous on the social media app TikTok.
Other memories include the year the school added vape detectors in the high school bathrooms that sent a large number of students to in-school detention, the day an unknown senior brought in donuts filled with chicken broth and blue cheese, and the senior trip wherein one of the buses broke down.
“To all the younger grades watching, embrace all the moments and opportunities high school gives you,” Taylor said.
“Life is unpredictable, and can throw some unexpected twists and turns at you, so enjoy these experiences and make the most out of your time at school,” Westling said.
To end their speech, Taylor and Westling took the time to thank the family, friends, and teachers of the class of 2024 for their support and for being part of their story.
Damian Fish, teacher at Milaca High School and board member for the Milaca Scholarship Foundation, then gave an update to the crowd on the awards given to this year’s graduating seniors with over $168,000 in scholarships and 55 winners.
Senior Jaydin Nelson then gave the “Look to the Future” speech.
Nelson began her speech by requesting a moment of silence in remembrance of the two students from the class of 2024 that passed away and did not have the opportunity to graduate: Hunter Schwanke and Stephanie Johnson.
“We have reached the end, and it does not feel real,” Nelson said as she began her speech. “Yesterday was the beginning of the semester. The backpack we wore 13 years ago is completely different from the one we wear today.”
Nelson went on to say that time is a cruel trick, and the students will need to make choices on how they will spend their time.
“Decisions we made now hold a greater sense of commitment,” Nelson said. “The future is confounded with its uncertainties. What is true today will change tomorrow. Change allows for unbridled growth.”
Nelson also encouraged her classmates to stay in touch with each other, and to always reach out a helping hand.
“Have the endurance to persevere through challenges, and the wisdom to recognize unexpected opportunities,” Nelson said. “The future is no longer waiting, it is here for us to inherit as we each leave our legacy.”
The Milaca High School band then performed the song “Freedom” arranged by Smith/Bocook.
This year’s faculty speaker, John Shipman, was next to address the graduating class.
Shipman began by congratulating the graduates and asking them to take a deep breath to enjoy the current moment because tomorrow is the first day of the rest of their lives.
“Tonight I’ve decided to impress upon you the importance of a snowman and time machines,” Shipman said.
Shipman then went into a story from his childhood about learning to make snowballs, and how it was difficult to get them started. Once he got it, he realized that the bigger the snowball got, the faster it grew.
“This was my first experience with the snowball effect,” Shipman said.
From that snowball, he built another and another until he made a snowman.
“It’s critically important you understand the snowball effect, and how it works when building a snowman,” Shipman said. “You will see the snowball effect in all parts of your life. Everything starts out small, but with patience and time, you can build a life to be proud of.”
Shipman then asked students to begin thinking about how that snowball effect applies to retirement funds that the students can start now to build a comfortable future for themselves.
“It has been my pleasure to see you grow, and help you learn new things,” Shipman said as he concluded his speech. “I hope you live a long and prosperous life. Good luck with your snowman.”
Milaca High School Principal Damian Patnode then presented the class of 2024 to Superintendent David Wedin.
After Wedin accepted the class of 2024, Wedin and Patnode then left the stage to collect a class flower — a purple iris — resting on the memorial chair among the graduates for Hunter Schwanke and Stephanie Johnson. The pair then presented the flower to Schwanke’s parents who were in attendance at the ceremony.
Following the tearful moment between Patnode, Wedin, and Schwanke’s parents, the graduating seniors walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.
The ceremony was completed with the students marching out of the gym to the sound of the band playing the traditional “Fanfare and Recessional” by James D. Polyhar and the “Armed Forces Salute.”
Reach Chloe Smith at chloe.smith@apgecm.com
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