When Warrenton seniors in red graduation robes gathered for their commencement ceremony on Saturday, one of the voices they heard from is from fellow senior Hunter Miesner, one of two students selected to speak.

Miesner was selected as one of the speakers for his class by a panel of faculty after auditioning with what his graduation message would be. Much of his time at Warrenton High School has been spent on communication, performance and leadership activities, and Miesner said he wanted to deliver more than just a bland thank-you and farewell.

“I want people to actually take something away from it,” Miesner said. “The overarching theme is, in our lives people have made us better and enriched our lives, and getting involved (in your community or college) allows us to meet those people who affect us in a positive way, but we also have a positive impact on their life.”

Miesner has a full roster of extra-curricular activities, including Student Council, National Honor Society, speech and debate team, and school theater department. He also is a co-founder of Warrenton High School’s new diversity committee.

“Our message is to allow everyone to have a voice, and celebrate people who are marginalized and don’t have the same experiences. ... That ranges from Black people, gay people, all different people.”

Q: What is your most memorable high school experience?

“All the times I’ve been on stage for the theater department. The feeling you get by being there, the adrenaline rush, is unlike any other.”

Q: What is it about theater and speech that interests you?

“It gives you a place to fully express yourself without having to explain yourself. When you’re there, you’re surrounded by people who have the same interests and know what they want to do, and they’re all so supportive.”

Q: What advice would you give for freshmen?

“‘Just do it.’ There’s been so many opportunities ... that I was too nervous to take. Like in theater, you express yourself all the time and sometimes that can be scary. ... I’d say take advantage of it and go out of your comfort zone, because that’s how you grow.”

Q: What’s your weakest class in school?

“It has to be science. I don’t know what happened there. It derailed so quickly.”

Q: How about your strongest class?

“As much as I hate to say it, I’ve really grown to love math. My teacher, Ms. (Heidi) Wildt ... was so amazing. She was a math teacher who, if you didn’t understand it, she went back with you and would teach in different ways so you would understand it.”

Q: Have any other teachers been influential?

“That has to be Ms. (Bethanie) Swiney, the theater teacher. ... She’s just been so encouraging every step of the way. Not just for theater related stuff – I come to her for advice ... and she was always supportive and pushed me in the right direction.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

“I’ll be going to UMKC and double majoring in communication studies and business administration.”

Favorite food: Ceasar salad and pasta

Favorite show: “Golden Girls”

Favorite movie: “Mary Poppins”

Favorite music artist: Weyes Blood

Favorite destination: Chicago