Spring is the season of new beginnings, and the seniors at Suring High School started the next phase of their lives on May 21.
Suring was the first local school district to stage its commencement exercises for the Class of 2022. Lena held its graduation ceremony May 25, and Gillett and Oconto Falls seniors take the big step May 29.
Suring interim superintendent Todd Carlson told the 24 graduates that this could be the very last day they see one another.
“I don’t want you to sound sad and I don’t want you to feel bad, but I want you to understand how special and how important today is, your graduation,” Carlson said. “Appreciate that and respect that.”
He added that statistics indicate that they had not yet met their best friend, or their marriage partners — or maybe they had.
“When I graduated sitting in a chair just like you are, I didn’t realize it at the time but my wife was sitting just a couple seats down. Now, I want you to take a look down your row — never say never,” he said to laughter.
Carlson reminded the seniors to say thank you to their families or, better yet, live their lives in a way that thanks them for their upbringing.
Student speakers talked about the times the group has had together since entering school in 2007-08 and how those experiences shaped them.
“As we enter this new chapter in our lives, I want everyone to look back on these memories and see that this school has helped us become the people we are today,” salutatorian Macyn Garrigan said. “With that being said, I want to thank everyone for everything you’ve ever done for me, all the memories we shared, and say congrats to the Class of 2022.”
“Our graduation today is the start of a new chapter in the book that is our lives. For the past four years, we have learned, laughed, and most importantly matured together,” said valedictorian Veronica Napier. “Though it is fun to reminisce about the past, today is also about celebrating the future. Today is the first day of being the leaders, doers and problem solvers of the future. Today is what our teachers and parents have been preparing us for. This is where we are able to show the world what we can do.”
Madison Vandevelde, president of the senior class, went through the plans the various students have made for the next step of their lives. Some are going straight into the workforce, others to four-year and two-year colleges, or the military.
“Remember to be you and to always follow your passions, not anyone else’s,” Vandevelde said. “I wish the best of luck to each and every one of you.”
Every year the Suring senior class dedicates its yearbook to someone who has touched their lives in a special way. This year the graduates surprised Greg Jeager, the district maintenance man who is retiring this year after 23 years.
Their salute described him as “an outstanding hard worker and kind man who gets the job done. He is the person behind the scenes making sure the students and staff have the proper equipment and setups for all events.”
Jeager came out from behind the audio-visual set up for the ceremony to accept the recognition with emotion.
“I just want to say it’s an honor to get this,” he said. “It’s been my privilege to work with the student body, the staff and the community. Thank you.”
Principal Zachary Beeksma recited a message that a former colleague likes to share at every theater performance.
“At some point in the future, maybe next month, maybe next year, maybe in 20 years, however long it takes, there will be a day when you encounter a sight, a sound, a smell, or a person that will spark your memory and you will be transported right back to today,” Beeksma said. “And I hope that when that happens, you’ll look back and smile.”
Pomp and circumstance and the future
