The traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the Princeton High School symphonic winds echoed through the halls of the school Friday, May 31, as Princeton celebrated the graduation of the 2024 senior class.
The graduates marched to their seats in the high school gymnasium to cheers from their family, friends, teachers, and supporters.
Principal Ryan Jensen opened the graduation ceremony by congratulating the graduates and thanking the community for their attendance.
Following Jensen’s remarks, Princeton High School graduate and Student Council President Emily Lindgren led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
As the audience returned to their seats, graduating senior Graham Anderson took the stage for the Salutatorian Welcome speech. Anderson had the second highest grade point average in the 2024 Princeton High School graduating class, earning him the honor of the speech.
Anderson began by welcoming the community and his classmates to the graduation ceremony.
“I want to congratulate you for making it this far,” Anderson said to his fellow graduates. “I want to encourage you to think about what the future holds. To do that, we need to think about where we have come from.”
Anderson spoke about how when the graduates first started their journey through school, they were always under the watchful eye of their guardians and teachers.
“Now, we have just finished the part of our academic life where we were responsible for our (academic independence),” Anderson said. “As we move out of high school, the amount of freedom and responsibility once again grows. While this can be nerve-wracking, we have the experience to guide us. We are the sum of all our experiences. We can use this knowledge to move forward into each day.”
Anderson then encourages his classmates to make the world a better place with their actions and make themselves proud.
After Anderson’s welcome speech, the graduates who are members of the symphonic winds joined the band to perform “Illumination” by David Maslanka under the direction of James Baxter.
As the applause for the band subsided, Kaden Mai took the stage for the Valedictorian Address speech. As the student in the graduating class with the highest grade point average, Mai earned the title of class valedictorian.
“I am honored to stand in front of my fellow classmates today in order to commemorate this engagement of knowledge,” Mai said.
Mai then thanked the parents, teachers, coaches, siblings, administrators, community members, and peers on behalf of his classmates for supporting them through their schooling before taking his classmates on a walk down memory lane to reflect on the events that helped them get to graduation.
“As I look back on these times, I remember that I couldn’t wait to become a senior, to become the biggest and the baddest in the school,” Mai said. “But now that I am here, I wish that I could go back to experience a simple life again with fewer responsibilities. But as we know, the past is past and cannot change. We can only reflect and change our actions to create a better future.”
Mai then said to his fellow classmates that from their time in high school, they will most likely remember the relationships they made along the way.
“We were all told that high school was the biggest step towards our future,” Mai said. “But in reality, it’s only a small step that starts our process into the future. As we move on, I encourage you all to find the things you love and the things you don’t because these moments will be the ones you remember.”
Mai also encouraged the graduates to find those things as soon as possible.
“I believe we all have what it takes to find what success truly means to you and to achieve it,” Mai said. “I am excited to see what the future holds for all of us.”
Then Princeton High School science instructor Lisa Esterberg took the stage as the guest speaker.
Esterberg began by saying that the graduates are likely experiencing nervousness, excitement, and sadness all at once as they prepare to walk across the stage and leave behind the routines they grew up with.
“These emotions all boil down to change, a scary word for many of us, but necessary and a good thing,” Esterberg said. “I want you to realize that you are not alone with these feelings. It’s OK if you don’t have everything figured out.”
Esterberg went on to say that the gym is packed with people who are there to support the graduates as they move on into the future.
She then offered the graduates two pieces of advice.
“Use your brain,” Esterberg said. “I sometimes hear students say, ‘Why do I need to know this?’ The truth is your brain needs the opportunity to build connections between nerve cells. This is how learning happens in your brain. If you don’t exercise those connections, they will weaken and be lost. It’s the only brain you get — use it.”
Esterberg’s second piece of advice was to encourage the graduates to become involved in the communities they settle in.
“You will be building the city of Princeton and other cities,” Esterberg said. “Make it a community where you and others can thrive. You are all good people; help others whenever you have the chance. Your actions speak louder than words.”
Esterberg then said the reason she became a teacher was because she enjoys spending time with teenagers.
“I hope that all of you know that each of you are important,” Esterberg said. “You will leave tonight with a little piece of me. I know you’ve been wanting this day to come quickly, but take a pause and enjoy the now.”
She then encouraged the graduates to take time to have fun through the ups and downs of life.
“I encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone to try new things,” Esterberg said. “Do things that challenge you, learn from your mistakes, reach for your goals, and don’t sell yourselves short. Don’t give up or stop trying when things get difficult.”
Esterberg concluded her speech by wishing the graduates nothing but the best and encouraged them to make the most of their time.
The Princeton High School concert choir then performed “Wangol” by Sten Kallman under the direction of Charles Moe before Principal Jensen presented the class of 2024 to Superintendent Ben Barton.
Each of the approximately 250 graduates then took turns walking across the stage to receive their diplomas.
After tossing their caps in the air to celebrate their accomplishments, the graduates left the gym to the sounds of “Crown Imperial” performed by the symphonic winds.
Reach Chloe Smith at chloe.smith@apgecm.com
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