Graduation ends challenging year at Warrenton High

By: Adam Rollins, Staff Writer
Posted 6/17/21

The Warrenton High School graduation ceremony on Saturday, July 12, marked a day of collective relief over the end of a challenging year, and also a celebration of the diverse student body that made …

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Graduation ends challenging year at Warrenton High

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The Warrenton High School graduation ceremony on Saturday, July 12, marked a day of collective relief over the end of a challenging year, and also a celebration of the diverse student body that made it through that year together.

“I’m super excited. I’ve been waiting my whole life for this,” quipped senior Manny Raygoza before the ceremony. “It took a lot of effort for me to get here. Finally it all paid off and it was all worth it.”

Seniors said it was a very different experience to attend school during COVID, dealing with quarantines, virtual learning, disruptions to school activities, and missing friends who had chosen to learn from home. That made graduation feel more special.

“There’s so many emotions. It’s crazy that I’ll never get to see the majority of these kids again,” commented Kassidy Haller. 

“Plus half of them were virtual, so it’s cool to see all the kids we haven’t seen in over half a year now,” added Sierra Hall.

Anna Guss, standing with them, said learning the new online systems for the school year wasn’t ideal, either. “I like paper better,” she commented.

Over 230 students received  their diplomas during the ceremony at the high school athletics complex, with students spread out along the track and a crowd of family members cheering from the field.

Principal Dr. Brad Ross, opening the commencement ceremony, wasted no time in acknowledging that this year was unlike any other due to the pandemic. He said there had been plenty of challenges, stumbles and scars since classes were canceled abruptly in the spring of 2020.

“But you’re never ashamed of the scars you earned, because those scars tell a story,” Ross said.

The featured speaker at the commencement was Michael Hoosier, a 2011 Warrenton graduate who now works as a public defense attorney. Hoosier presented seniors with his thoughts on learning from self-reflection and practicing mindfulness on their journey through life.

“I encourage you, whatever your goal ... I believe that we all want to become a better version of ourselves. Selves that are kinder in the face of rebuke, calmer in the face of uncertainty, and more confident in the face of challenge” Hoosier remarked. 

Seniors also heard from several of their classmates, including faculty-chosen speakers Hunter Miesner and Mary Schleuter.

Miesner delivered thanks to the teachers and classmates who helped him learn to accept himself as an LGBT person and pushed him to become a confident participant in activities like speech and debate, and theater. Every student has someone who can be that support for them, Miesner said. He encouraged his classmates to continue being involved in their future schools and communities in order to meet those supporters.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have incredibly supportive parents and friends. But many kids like me don’t,” Miesner said. “They are taught to hate who they are, and for so many this hate is never unlearned. ... It only takes one person to change that.

“Wherever you’re going, connect with others and be the kind of person that you needed these last four years,” Miesner finished.

Mary Schleuter’s address was more “colorful,” focused on a metaphor comparing students’ diverse personalities to many colors, all mixing together.

“Each component of our class is what’s made us so unique,” Schleuter expounded. “We must be willing to appreciate those who look past the simple black and white.”

Just before students were brought forward to receive their diplomas, the class observed one final tradition: the passing of a candle flame from one class to the next. Normally the tradition would be performed by the outgoing and incoming senior class presidents, but because student elections were disrupted by COVID, the classes were instead represented by 2021 National Honor Society President Abigail Owenby, and 2022 National Honor Society President Mikenna Collins.

Warrenton High School, graduation

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