FORT ATKINSON — As orchestra director Bill Callaway raised his hands to lead students in performing “Pomp and Circumstance,” 223 soon-to-be-graduates nervously lined up in the hallways of Fort Atkinson High School.
After 13 years of linoleum-tile hallways and alphabetically-organized lines, the Class of 2024 passed under Lorine Niedecker’s poem on the glass entrance to Fort Atkinson High School for the final time on Sunday afternoon ahead of the graduation ceremony, which began promptly at 1 p.m.
Student President Rebecca Christ welcomed her fellow classmates, their families, friends and supporters to the ceremony with a cheerful “good morning.”
“A good morning is the start of something new — new opportunities, new chances, and new lessons,” she said. “To me, graduation is nothing but another good morning. This good morning marks the end of our journey together, and the beginning of each of our own journeys.”
Christ celebrated her classmates’ ability to succeed in the face of adversity: overcoming the pandemic, historic inclement weather, district-wide downsizing in 2023 and the tragic loss of classmate Bryan Palacios Perez.
“Life will face us with trials and hard times, but persevering through those moments are what will allow us to experience another good morning,” she reminded the crowd.
The Class of 2024 thrived despite difficulty, with various athletic teams qualifying for state championships and the Esports team winning their state championships.
Christ also noted that the class held Fort’s first outdoor prom, brought back the Homecoming parade, consistently succeeded in the arts, academics and extracurriculars and even had three national merit finalists this year.
After superintendent Dr. Rob Abbott commended the group on their success on behalf of the district, Class Treasure Ava Stedman and Class Representative Sylbie Beers welcomed to the stage international exchange students Eliott Peze from France, Meutya “Annie” Hakim from Indonesia and Suzuna Awada from Japan.
Each was able to give a brief speech thanking the community for all the things they will miss, including Frostie Freeze, fast food, American extracurriculars and a warm and welcoming student body.
This year’s student speakers were class vice-president Maren Selle and class representative Langdon Eske, who reflected on the class’s best memories and looked to the future as the graduating class pursues higher education, joins the work force, enters the armed forces or considers their best path ahead.
Following faculty speaker Katherine Field’s remarks, which encouraged the graduates to welcome change and unpredictability into their lives, class co-secretary Mariana Gamez Garza honored retiring staff.
Rebecca Christ took the stage again following the presentation of the class by high school principal Leigh Ann Scheuerell and diploma awards by administration and members of the board of education.
“I am so proud of each and every one of you, and I can’t put into words how grateful I am to have experienced my high school career with all of you,” she said.
“Congratulations everyone, and best of luck with your next ‘good morning.’”
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