‘Looking ahead’
Lakeview High School holds commencement for 41 grads
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COTTONWOOD -- For members of the Lakeview High School class of 2023, commencement was a time to reflect. On Friday night, graduates looked back on how far they had come together with their classmates -- and ahead to their futures.
"I want you to remember the times that we had and look back with fondness, but I also want you to look forward to all the great things that are yet to come in our lives," Lakeview valedictorian Nikolas Hartke said in his commencement address.
Lakeview held commencement ceremonies Friday for a total of 41 seniors. Family and community members gathered in the Lakeview gym to cheer on the new graduates.
Speakers at graduation had two main areas of focus. Some looked back, and shared stories of the memories the class of 2023 built, from grade school all the way up to their senior class trip.
For his commencement address, salutatorian Owen Louwagie said, "I'm not going to give us a lecture on how to live. But I'm going to tell you funny stories, because I think that is how you should live -- a life full of laughter and fun."
Faculty speaker Phil Lalim said the graduates' time together was important in shaping them as people.
"Those memories and experiences have made you the person you are today. You are prepared to do well once you walk out of the school today, and you are ready to face the unknown," Lalim said.
Other graduation speakers looked ahead to what was coming next for graduates.
Hartke said that as he was working on his commencement address, "I got to thinking -- everyone seems to be so fixated on the past. And to be honest, I find this detrimental. We as seniors are all moving on to bigger and better places, many of us to college, some to the military, and others straight to work."
"High school was a great experience for all of us, but we need to look at what's ahead of us," Hartke said. He ended his speech with a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: "Life is a great adventure … accept it in such a spirit."
Lakeview Principal Scott Hanson and Superintendent Chris Fenske also offered advice for graduates as they move on to the next stage of their lives. Hanson said it was always important to have a sense of purpose in life, to build connections with other people, and to take action in the world.
"When you walk across that stage in a few moments, I hope you take the time to reflect a bit and give yourself some credit -- credit for how far you've come not only as a student, but as a person," Fenske told graduates.
"There's no doubt that you are stronger, wiser and more resilient than you were when you started high school. Keep working. Keep learning. Keep getting up when you fall. Keep believing, and keep being you."