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Taking the next step forward

MHS graduates said memories of classmates and family alike helped shape them on their journey to commencement

Photo by Deb Gau Members of the MHS graduating class of 2019 presented the family members of Carter Boerboom with a memorial plaque in his honor. Carter died in 2015 after a battle with cancer, but classmates said he left a positive impact on their lives.

MARSHALL — As 201 Marshall High School seniors prepared to walk across the commencement stage Friday evening, they had a lot of memories to look back on. The fact that senior year was extra eventful this time around only added to the experience.

Commencement speaker Ashley Arndorfer’s first reaction was, “Holy smokes, did it go by fast. We had some pretty crazy things happen this year.”

But while seniors could joke about some of the crazy things — like the number of snow days Mother Nature brought to Marshall — they said some of their most important lessons and memories at school were of their classmates, teachers and families.

“Some of the biggest lessons I have learned were not taught from a textbook. Some of the biggest lessons I have learned were taught from home,” commencement speaker Ammran Mohamed said. Mohamed recognized her family and especially her parents as “the image of determination and perseverance in our household for as long as I can remember.”

Commencement speaker Erica Jones said while in the future, graduates might not remember the number of tests they aced in high school. But they’ll certainly remember the friendships they made at MHS, and the support students showed for each other.

“Our accomplishments, challenges and memories will last a lifetime,” Jones said.

Remembering friendships and making a positive impact on the world had a special meaning for members of the Class of 2019. This year’s graduates experienced tragedy in 2015, when classmate Carter Boerboom died of cancer, just as their class was getting ready to attend high school.

“Carter will always be remembered as a funny kid who knew how to bring a smile to everyone’s face, and radiated positivity,” Jones said. “His passing left a void in the hearts of those who knew him and even the members of our class who did not. All of us will always be Carter Strong through his impact on us.”

At commencement, senior members of the Tiger boys and girls basketball teams presented Carter’s family with a memorial plaque in his honor.

As students prepare to go out into the world, commencement speakers called on their classmates to strive for success.

“I want determination, perseverance and success to be something everyone strives for, and believes they can achieve,” Mohamed said.

Arndorfer encouraged her classmates to take to heart the advice to live life to the fullest. She said it was her classmates who have helped her keep a positive attitude through her years at MHS.

“Have a positive mind when you leave here. You can all do it,” she said.

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