Grads’ bright future starts with darkness

More than 100 graduates were ready to go forth into the big, bright world at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School’s graduation on June 5, but they had to endure a little darkness at first.

The lights went out right as WBHS alum Jim Ward, the featured commencement speaker, took the microphone, causing gasps in the packed gymnasium, but it turned out that was intentional.

Ward, who graduated from WBHS in 1987 and married his high school sweetheart, founded his own business in 1996 in Eau Claire creating software and recently received the Edison Award with his employees. He received the district’s Distinguished Alumni Award just before the gym went black.

“Well, I guess that’s what graduations were like before Edison invented the light bulb,” Ward said.

Ward told the graduates to imagine themselves at age 52 — noting that they shouldn’t focus on what they’ll look like — and saying that the graduates should know by then where their passions lie and what they want out of life.

“Be in the moment, because after today, it gets a lot harder,” Ward said as the lights came back up on cue. “I don’t remember much when I was sitting where you are right now. I don’t remember who the speaker was, and I don’t remember what was said, but here’s what I do know. The little things that started in these walls — inspirational moments with teachers and coaches — they helped to shape the path that my life took.”

Pierson Potrykus, senior class president, told parents and community members about how his brothers pushed him for excellence and helped him become what he is today. What comes tomorrow, though, at least for him, is still up in the air.

“Once we leave these doors, hopefully we all know what we plan to do, because I, for one, have absolutely no idea,” Potrykus said. “The hardest part is leaving behind all the teams and the teammates I’ve had the last 12 years.”

Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District Superintendent Garrett Rogowski heaped a lot of praise on the Class of 2022, stating he believes the graduates will make a mark in the world.

“When I think about your class, many examples of hard work, persistence, leadership and determination to do good for others all come to mind, all of which will provide a great foundation for whatever each of you aspires to do next,” Rogowski said. “It’s exciting to think about your future and knowing that the support network that has helped you to this point — many of whom are in attendance today — will be there for you through your next steps.”

Ruby Nowinsky, one of the WBHS summa cum laude graduates, noted that the question of what the graduates want to be when they grow up has evolved over the years, with the answers in kindergarten being firefighters and football players. Today, though, those answers have changed to becoming accountants, electricians and nurses, among other things.

“During this school year, we had to decide what we’re going to do with the rest of our lives,” Nowinsky said. “Some of our most important decisions have been about what is happening right now and in the next couple of years.”

Jalynn Horacek, another summa cum laude graduate outed as an aspiring princess by Nowinsky, told her fellow graduates she was surprised as they were that they were able to make it to where they were.

“We’ve had the odds against us for the last four years,” Horacek said. “With an almost-world war, the global pandemic and, I don’t know if you noticed, the never-ending construction here (at WBHS), we’ll be able to tell our grandkids that we had to walk to school uphill, both ways, to get to school because the gas prices were too high, all while dodging coughing people and not being able to breathe through a mask.”

Savanna Bessert, summa cum laude graduate, extended her appreciation to the families, friends and school staff who helped the graduates reach the big milestone, but she felt God provided that extra push for her.

“My faith has been the only constant in my life, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without His goodness and grace,” Bessert said.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com