Telegraph Staff Writer
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The Keystone Heights Senior High School Class of 2023 marched onto the campus’s football stadium as students for the last time during a commencement ceremony on Friday, May 19.
Student Council Vice President Trevor Noble began the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance, and Sherman Carnes led the capacity crowd in the National Anthem.
Senior Class Secretary Sam Ulsch pronounced the invocation, and Student Council President Kiley Channell welcomed the audience.
Senior Vice President Sarah Siebert introduced the honored guests of the ceremony, which included District 4 School Board Member Michele Hanson, Ethan Caren, the school district’s director of information and technology services, Dr. Melanie Sanders, the district’s director of exceptional student education and Santa Fe College Student Affairs Specialist Karen Lake.
Biscuits are done. We are finished.
Class President Kaia Wright told her classmates that the school years they are culminating are the formative years of their lives.
“The dictionary definition of formative is having a profound and lasting influence on a person’s development,” she said. “And this is what the past four years have proved to be for all of us, a lasting influence.”
The class president also asked her colleagues to reflect on the relationships they formed over the last four years.
“Some of these relationships have survived many years and turned into our closest friends,” she said. “Some have ended as we’ve grown and outgrown, and some we have amended through maturing and learning that others do not always see eye to eye.”
Wright acknowledged that frustrations accompanied many students’ high school experiences, like homework and quizzes and crowded hallways and parking lots.
But she added that the benefits outweigh the setbacks: “teachers that have become mentors,” she said, “friends that have turned into family, and classes that have taught us not only what was in the textbook, but also how to become well-rounded adults.”
Wright insisted that no student graduates on their own.
“We are sitting here in these caps and gowns because of the unending support given to us by the faculty, staff, teachers, parents, grandparents, coaches, club sponsors,” she said. “and other students that have made us and ultimately to God for being the driving force throughout most of our lives.”
Wright said that although looking fondly at childhood memories is enjoyable, now is the time for her and her classmates to turn the page.
“We can never go back to that innocent time of childhood that we are now leaving,” she said. “We can only set our sights on what lies before us. High school is only a blip in our story—a chapter made and gone. The life we know now is beginning to shift into a new normal. But seniors, do not dwell on high school, for it is over and done. Be excited for the blank chapter ahead.”
Wright declared it is good to look back, better to be grateful, and best to say goodbye.
“It’s hard to say goodbye,” she said. “Goodbye to the comfort of what we’ve known and a life we’ve grown so used to. Yesterday is gone. And we have to be forever grateful for the special people and moments that we were able to share our childhoods with.”
Wright concluded by quoting teacher Beth Leitheiser: “Biscuits are done. People are finished,” Wright said. “Well, Class of 2023, we are now finished.”
Believe in yourself
Salutatorian Phoenix Cushman recalled the academic challenges he and his classmates encountered on the Orchid Street campus and the fun they had along the way.
“We survived algebra, chemistry circles and triangle proofs and cafeteria food,” he said, “which is honestly, in my opinion, was pretty good. We have also had a lot of fun along the way. Our club activities, sports events, parades, concerts, plays, talent shows— go shopping mall gorillas— proms, and homecomings and lovely field trips have made our time here precious.”
Cushman also recalled making lifetime friends and thanked the teachers, administrators, coaches and parents who made it all possible.
The salutatorian cataloged some of his class’s achievements.
“Just to name a few,” he said, “our KHHS senior band progressed to the state level of MPA for the first time in 33 years, our senior robotics team won the One Clay Rumble last Saturday, and our own Matthew Golden was awarded the prestigious National Merit Scholarship.”
“Finally,” he added, “let’s not forget that our band, chorus, and JROTC specifically, out of all the many other high schools out there, were chosen to perform the National Anthem at the Daytona International Speedway.”
Cushman said that looking back over the last four years, the great times should give his classmates joy, and the difficult times should motivate them to grow.
“Believe in yourself,” he said. “Surround yourself with those who will challenge and bring out your best. I know we all have the ability to be great in whatever we do.”
They can’t stop us
Valedictorian Matthew Golden told his classmates they had already established a record of achievements.
“Today you’re graduating with star athletes,” he said, “CNAs, AA graduates, future firefighters, EMTs, and so many more accomplished individuals.”
Like Cushman before him, Golden highlighted his classmates’ accomplishments.
“Our weightlifting team,” he said, “who won their third state title, our robotics team, who won the Judges’ Choice Award, our Clay County All-Star athletes, our many clubs like Key Club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, and their service projects, helping our school and the community, and there’s so many more, but we are so proud of all of your accomplishments.”
Golden said he expected his class to build on its already impressive record of achievement.
“Our future is in our hands,” he said. “We have seen you do great things. I’m excited to see what we all do from here.”
“No matter what, they can’t stop us,” he concluded. “Now, here in our moment of truth, we can make it happen, and we can turn around. We were born to make history.”
Write your own story
Principal Laurie Burke asked the students to look around the football stadium filled with their supporters.
“This is your very own valuable support system:” she told the graduates, “your amazing families, friends, your teachers, your KHHS staff, your community, your potential employers, your possible future family members.”
Burke then continued a theme she emphasized during the school’s class night awards ceremony last week: writing your own story.
“Tonight, you will turn the page and have a new beginning,” she said. “This beginning looks different for each one of you.”
Burke told her students that being an adult is hard and carries responsibilities the seniors have not yet encountered.
“You all have what it takes to be successful,” she said, “but remember, it’s your own story, and you are the author. This means your actions are your pen. Make every action a prepared thought-through action, an accountable action, a responsible action, a respectful action, and always be careful of all of your reactions to every situation you face.”
Burke added that the seniors’ reactions to the situations they will encounter in life can lead to success or be detrimental.
She said that one way to write a positive story is to focus on the needs of others and develop a servant mindset.
“Write your accountability,” she advised. “You will make mistakes, so be accountable for that. Make it right and learn from it. The more accountable you are for all of your actions, the better decisions you’ll make. This must be practiced because it’s hard. Take responsibility and be prepared by thinking through and always planning ahead.”
The principal emphasized the importance of preparation.
“Some don’t plan ahead because it takes time and again, it’s hard,” she said, “but the more you take time to do it, the better and faster you get it. Prepare for everything, and you will become more successful because of it.”
Burke said following the principles she outlined would allow students to write the best books ever.
She concluded her talk not by looking forward but by harking back to a unifying cheer the seniors had shouted dozens of times over the last four years.
“One last time,” she said, “Go Indians!”
