Kallee Phinney shook hands with Lakeview Superintendent Chris Fenske, after receiving her diploma Friday evening. A total of 52 Lakeview High School seniors graduated in the class of 2025.

COTTONWOOD — It took years of work for the Lakeview class of 2025 to get to graduation. But now that they were there, it was time to enjoy the moment, speakers said.

“Graduation is your time to celebrate all the years of hard work and dedication and commitment,” Principal Scott Hanson told graduates.

A total of 52 Lakeview High School seniors received their diplomas, in commencement ceremonies Friday evening.

“Class of 2025, as you stand on the threshold of your future, remember that today marks a significant milestone, not just in your education, but in your lives,” Superintendent Chris Fenske told graduates. “As you leave Lakeview, I encourage you to carry forward the lessons you’ve learned, the friendships you’ve forged and the memories you’ve created.”

Friday’s program reflected back on students’ achievements, as well as the memories the class of 2025 made in their years at Lakeview. Salutatorian Lane Arends said there were a lot of memorable moments that led up to graduation. Many of them felt like they just happened yesterday, he said.

“It seems like yesterday we started our senior year. And now, in this moment, we’re ready to leave and start a new adventure, without the confines of what we’ve known for the past 12 to 13 years,” Arends said.

“Life goes fast and happens in the blink of an eye. So I challenge you – all of you, not just my classmates, but every one of you – to live in the moment. Enjoy it before you blink again,” Arends said.

Lakeview teacher Phil Lalim challenged graduates to choose to be present in the moments life brings them.

“One thing that I’ve learned is the days are long, but the years are short. So while the years fly by, the most important thing you can do is choose to be present in the day-to-day,” Lalim said.

Valedictorian Cole Remiger said the small, close-knit community at Lakeview School helped lead to a lot of memorable moments for the class of 2025.

“High school is one of the most important steps people take in life,” he said. Remiger said some of his favorite memories came from outside class, and in sports and activities.

“School taught us so much, beyond the classroom,” he said. Students learned how to persevere and overcome difficulties, he said.

Remiger also encouraged graduates to think of what was ahead of them. “It’s important to remember not to dwell in the past, but to look to the future,” he said. “This is only the beginning.”