Graduates Turn Their Tassels Across Phillips County

Last week the four high schools in Phillips County including Malta, Whitewater, Dodson, and Saco, held graduation ceremonies for their senior classes of 2023.

Dodson started things off with their graduation ceremony on Friday, May 19, at 6 p.m., which featured graduations for the Class of 2023, Class of 2027 (Middle School), and Class of 2035 (Kindergarten).

Whitewater started soon after, at 7 p.m. on Friday night, graduating their Class of 2023 and Class of 2027.

Saco's graduation ceremony was held on Saturday, May 20, at 2 p.m. The school graduated their Class of 2023 and Class of 2027.

Malta held the last ceremony on Sunday, May 21, at 2 p.m. The school graduated their Class of 2023.

Malta

There is a saying among the world of those about to set foot into the adult world beyond graduation, "The tassel is worth the hassle." Thirty-six proud graduates of Malta High School proved that dedication blended with hard work, determination and setting personal goals are some of the key elements in getting a strong foundation for the future.

Principal Shawn Bleth gave the opening address to the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2023 before a near-capacity filled gym.

Lauren Tuss provided the Salutatorian address and stated, "At our class reunion in 10 years, I do not want to be remembered as the salutatorian but as what I value more than this. Now we are at a crossroads in our lives where we begin to make decisions regarding our future."

She shared in her speech, "If you want to be caring, take time to help others; if you want to have better relationships, take time to put in the effort; if you want to be happy, take care of yourself. Actions such as these will take you further than any title will."

Addressing the crowd of family and friends, Jared Eggebretson began his address with acknowledgement of the support from those in the lives of those graduating who have provided motivation and memories to carry the students through the years.

He then thanked Mr. E (Engebretson) for his 36 years of dedication to the students and schools.

Jared said, "In all aspects of your life, you should always push yourself to be the best, not just the best compared to others, but the best that you can be. So my advice to the Class of 2023 is - don't be content with being average. In anything and everything you do, chase perfection, and I promise that you will catch excellence."

As varied as the personalities of the class, so are the plans for their future. Best of luck graduates...thanks for the memories.

Dodson

At Dodson's Graduation, Dodson Principal Angela Richards started things off with a welcome and introduction of the kindergarten and eighth-grade classes.

The Kindergarten class consisting of Willow Archambault, Jason Doney, Selena Jones, and Nevaeh Wing were presented and given their graduation diplomas.

The eighth-grade graduates consisting of Coy Bell, Forrest Bessman, Kyra Campbell, Gunnar Cilz, Trinity Crawford, Brianna Timms, and Wamni Williams were presented.

Next, the high school graduates were presented. This year's class includes Tanner Ball, Alexis Buablitz (Nelson), Emma Cole, Lindsey Fetter, Rope Healy, Jean Jackson, Michael Jaynes and Keena Reed.

After the introduction of the class, Principal Richards introduced the night's guest speaker Don Racine to the stand, where he gave his speech.

We welcomed all to the event and then proceeded to give his speech. He spoke of how he was asked to speak at the event by Jaynes and Ball.

"I was like, I could tell stories," Racine said to the boys. "I could tattle on you guys for the last five or six years of missing screens in my house, knowing how to jimmy open my garage door, there's lots of stories that could be shared."

Though the above was a joke, he said that he is always honored to be asked by young people to speak on their behalf.

"I have got to witness a majority of these young people throughout the course of their years here at DHS, we got a couple of new girls within the last couple of years here that jumped right in with both feet and fit right in, and they are tough as nails and they also have a great sense of humor because I know that they have to put up with these boys."

Racine changed his attention to the crowd present at the graduation, while still addressing the graduates.

"This is a major milestone in your life and up to now, its been these people here that have been pushing and prodding you every step of the way," Racine said. "For the last 13 years, these people have been doing whatever they can to get you to this point, right now."

He went on to say that each graduate has a different road now, and where that road takes them is up to them and not their parents.

He said that one of the toughest things about adulthood is making those tough choices.

"The choices you make are going to have great blessings and rewards and they are also going to have consequences," Racine said.

He said that he knows that this group is a good group of people that can achieve their dreams, and that in life, they will also fall. He encouraged the group to get up and dust off, and try again.

"Just like when you got bucked off... you get back on, right?" Racine asked. "You betcha."

He also asked the group to not only remember their parents and family, but their teachers, who they have made friendships with over the past few years.

"I am proud of you," Racine said. "Your family, they are very proud of you, they all love you. I wish you all the best and congratulations."

Next, Emma Cole, DHS Salutatorian gave her address.

Ms. Cole said that she moved to Dodson in sixth grade.

"Since then, I have made lifelong friends, made endless memories in track, cross country, basketball, from 4-H and in the classroom," Cole said. "Instead of the Class B school that I was so used to, I went through sixth grade, junior high, and high school in a family-like community, to be with people that I can genuinely call my friends."

She then addressed the underclassmen.

"Appreciate where you are, stop waiting for things to be over, and just enjoy it," Cole said. "Next thing you know, you will be graduating, ready to do your own thing in the world. For now, you can enjoy the good days."

She talks of how she built friendships through school and through sports. One of her favorite memories included running in a cross country meet through a foot of snow.

"With this, I would like to thank you all again, and my fellow class of 2023, it has been real," Cole said.

DHS Valedictorian Jean Jackson then gave her speech.

"Today we will become graduates of Dodson High School, the home of the Coyotes," Jackson said. "We will become tomorrow's engineers, doctors, lawyers, mechanics, and nurses."

She said that after walking the halls of the school, that graduation day was a turning point in their lives.

"The last four years have been trying for many of us, and the fact that you are promised things right now is a testament to your resilience, and dedication," She said. "You have a great future to look forward to."

She then thanked everyone at DHS for memories that will last a lifetime.

After a few scholarship presentations, the Class of 2027 was presented their diplomas.

The students then gave out roses, and the rose ceremony was followed by a Slideshow presentation.

Next, the DHS graduates were handed their diplomas by Mrs. Richards and members of the DHS School Board.

Whitewater

Like the close-knit little community it is, graduation night was also about closeness and community. It is also about caring.

As family, friends and guests of the four graduates gathered together in the Penguin Dome, there was a mixture of tears...tears of joy as well as sorrow. Graduates of 2023 were Kendra Cummings, Hunter Ellis, Kora LaBrie, and Samantha Wisher.

In her final speech before the community, Valedictorian Kora LaBrie expressed, "Greatness comes from those who reach out to us, who go out of their way to be thoughtful, the unsung heroes. If there is anything you take from this speech, I want you to remember that leaving a legacy and achieving greatness is not to get money and recognition, it is to leave those with whom you crossed paths with a little more happiness and hope. Our time in high school will not be remembered by grades or accomplishments, even though winning state was pretty cool, but by the relationships we made with those around us and the kind of person you were. That is the legacy, the kind we must leave."

Salutatorian Kendra Cummings, acknowledged, "The amount of love and support this community has given us is beyond measure. I'm sure everyone here knows the saying "it takes a village to raise a child". That is precisely what Whitewater has done for me."

Miss Bobbi Knudsen was the guest speaker for the evening; Miss Kourtney Simonson provided special music.

Eighth graders receiving Certification of Completion were Mylee Clark and Kenan LaBrie.

Superintendent Darin Cummings and Michael Hammond presented the eighth graders and the four seniors with their certificates and diplomas.

Supt. Cummings, with a bit of emotion, acknowledged, "...these kids all become my kids..." as the Class of 2023 embarked on the world to make new paths.

Saco

In Saco, Saco Public School Superintendent Tanya Funk welcomed all to the graduation ceremony.

The eighth grade class consisting of Nickolas Barnard, Jacob Pippin Brown, Emerson Downing, Laytin Erickson, and Keevan Malmend were presented, followed by Tjaden Ereaux, the school Class of 2023 graduate.

"The success of our young people starts at home with their parents and families," Funk said before addressing Ereaux. "The foundation for their values and work ethic has been laid through daily guidance and support through these people."

She also pointed attention to the school's staff who has poured into the life of Ereaux and Saco students.

"Our graduate is up here today because of the hard work of so many people in his life," Funk said.

After a round of applause, the eighth grade class was given their certificate and awards.

The school also recognized Saco High School's Class of 1973 (50 year reunion). This class consists of Carolyn Barnard, Colleen Barnard, Jeannette Brookie, Lyle Erickson, Dennis Granbois, Donald Knapp, Laurinda Knudson, Barbara Brookie, Donald Minnerath, Leonard Rinehart, Debbie Schaff, Andrew Shipp, Cecil Sudbrack, Mary Berg, Rose Teske, Armin Thom, Thomas Whitaker, and Frank White.

Sudbrack approached the stand and shared a few words about how his life went after he graduated from Saco High, and he shared a few memories of his time in high school.

After Sudbrack spoke, Mrs. Joey Newby, recognized this years retirees, which include Vicki Ellsworth, Barry Malone, and Elena Sudbrack.

Ereaux introduced Mr. Dwight Freeman as the event's Guest Speaker. Freeman is the Industrial Arts Teacher at Saco School.

"Congratulations to you Tjaden and also to the eighth grade class," Freeman said. "You should be very, very, proud of your accomplishments and to achieve this goal. I would also like to welcome back the 50 year graduates; how time flies."

Freeman said that he was excited that Ereaux came to Saco school midway through his junior year as a transfer.

He wanted to get his other students working on projects so that he could get to know Tjaden and though he responded, his answers were often quiet and short.

"I then asked Tjaden what school he had attended and he mentioned Glacier High School in Kalispell," Freeman said. "I have a really good friend and dynamic shop teacher there, Troy Smith at Glacier. When I mentioned Troy's name, I could see Tjaden sit up, perk up, and smile. His reaction was like, finally something familiar in this new school."

He said that as time went on, he saw Tjaden really develop a sense of ownership in shop class and that he did his best.

He spoke of how quickly Tjaden learned in the shop and how hard and safe he worked on things. He said that he was very proud of Tjaden.

"I wish I had one more year with you at Saco, because I would love to see how much more you can grow," Freeman said. "Tjaden, as you venture out into the world, stay true to yourself and listen to your sixth sense."

He then addressed the eighth grade class.

After Freeman's speech, Tjaden gave out his flowers.

Tjaden was then given his diploma and Mrs. Funk closed the ceremony.