MORAN — Nineteen members of Marmaton Valley High School’s Class of 2022 celebrated their high school commencement by looking back, and to the future Saturday.
Kendall Scharff, class valedictorian, described graduation as the end of a chapter, with the students themselves responsible for filling the rest of the blank pages, noting her class may provide the next batch of teachers, farmers or other professionals.
“Marmaton Valley has given us all the papers and pens we need to work on the stories of our lives,” she concluded.
Aly Ard and Jenni Armstrong, class salutatorians, also spoke about their experiences.
“We all worked hard to get to this day,” Ard said. “A high school diploma is a wonderful tool … that opens many doors in this world. But graduation is not an end goal. Life is a journey.”
Armstrong, too, reflected on essays and victories, taking time to thank her family members, friends, teachers, pets and others who have played roles in her graduation.
Saturday’s ceremony also featured another recent tradition, in which each senior gave a small “gift” to the USD 256 Board of Education President Bill Bigelow, in the form of paper leis. Each draped the necklace around Bigelow’s neck as they received their diplomas.
ON TOP OF THE comments, scholarship recipients from the graduating glass were announced.
If each scholarship is used to its fullest extent, the students will garner more than $44,000 in financial aid, counselor Kaylan Lawson noted.
The recipients:
Quincy Adam
American Legion Scholarship
Alyson Ard
Elsmore Alumni Scholarship, Marmaton Valley FFA Chapter Scholarship, American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship, LaHarpe Alumni Scholarship, 2022 AGCO Finance Scholarship, Labette Community College Presidential Award, Labette Community College Avis and Arnett Scholarship
Jenni Armstrong
