MITCHELL – On Friday evening the class of 2023, comprised of 97 students, walked the aisle and grabbed their diplomas, officially marking the end of their time at Mitchell High School.
MHS Principal Jeff Bond opened the ceremony before introducing Emma Sowders, president of the school’s National Honor Society, who spoke to both her classmates and the crowd in attendance.
Sowders spoke about the challenges members of her class faced related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which drastically altered the educational experience for many, saying that she feels the uphill battle this group of graduates conquered ultimately made them all stronger.
“We’re the class of 2023. If you do the math, it points back to us starting our freshman year on the cusp of some of the most chaotic and unpredictable years in modern history and we were just trying to survive high school,” she said. “In times of uncertainty and confusion, people can become frantic and unsettled and we did just that. But not only that, but we also learned that there’s more to life than routine and predictability. We as a class were forced to experience unprecedented challenges, but we’re now standing here today because we did it, and I think we’re all stronger for it.”
Next to speak was class valedictorian Elizabeth Gillespie, who spoke about what she felt were some of the advantages of attending a smaller school like Mitchell, including having a greater opportunity to bond with her classmates.
“I think a lot can be said about attending a small-town high school like Mitchell. As I look out over my fellow graduates, although I may not be particularly close to many of them, I know who all of them are, at least by name, and I hope I’m not wrong in saying they can say the same. A small school like this fosters a sense of community, even a sense of family. Although small schools are often overshadowed by larger ones, I would never trade the sense of belonging for the recognition of a bigger school,” she said.
She later spoke directly to the rest of the graduating class, hoping they continue to cherish their experience at MHS long into their futures.
“As you go forward into your various futures, I hope that you will not forget the important lessons you have learned during your time at MHS. I hope that as you move forward, you remember to look back and appreciate the experience that high school provided,” she said to close her remarks.
