Graduation from Braden River High School sparks lot of emotion, and commencement speaker Louann McCord assured her classmates May 14 at LECOM Park that although high school often is a tumultuous journey, it just gives way to more exciting times in the future.
“What will become evident in retrospect is that today, this graduation was only a comma in this major book to be called 'Our Lives,'” McCord said.
McCord said to her fellow graduates that although teachers helped them form sentences and make the most of their education, it is ultimately up to them to write their own stories.
McCord said the past four years might have felt long, and have given them the impression that graduation would never come.
”You might be too eager to flip the page and go to the next chapter,” McCord said. “Take the time now to reflect on the fact that high school moved every one of us into the abstract people we are today.”
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Kaele Smith, Sophia Eastman, Miley Walker and Sam Baker show their excitement for graduating from Braden River High School.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Micaiah DeSue beams with pride as he shows off his diploma.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Assistant principal Rebecca Austerman shakes hands with commencement speaker Louann McCord.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Gloria Candela receives a hug from assistant principal Matthew Whelden as she receives her diploma.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Amber DePasquale and Louann McCord jump around in excitement right after throwing up their caps to signal their gradation.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Salutatorian Grant Hicks and valedictorian James Daley hold up their fingers to represent their ranking.
Photo by Madison Bierl
A large group of graduates pose for a photo after the commencement ceremony at LECOM Park.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Gael Maldonado, a member of TSA, proudly walks to shake hands of school representatives.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Brayden Sands receives a hug from athletic director Matthew Nesser.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Kaele Smith poses with her diploma right after it is handed to her.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Commencement speaker Haylee Hogan, who is in the top 10% with a ranking of 35, gave a speech at commencement.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Loved ones of Ayva Culp listen to her speech and capture the moment with their phones.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Superintendent Jason Wysong gives a handshake to valedictorian James Daley.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Jaliyah Gibson receives a hug from assistant principal Laura Gonzales.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Graduate Nicholas Nesser and athletic director Matthew Nesser share a hug as Nicholas receives his diploma.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Graduate Jassee Alexis and assistant principal Laura Gonzales dance together as Alexis graduates.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Ayva Culp, a commencement speaker, makes her way toward receiving her diploma.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Zaid Ibsais shares a smile and a handshake with assistant principal Rebecca Austerman.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Hien Cao and Ayva Culp share a hug after the commencement ceremony.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Marleigh Mruk, a top 10% graduate, makes her way toward her diploma.
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
