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COLONY — The Crest High School Class of 2023 was known as “that class,” as senior Trevor Church explained in his graduation speech during Saturday morning’s commencement activities.
“I think it took our teachers awhile to appreciate our energy, but by our senior year we were definitely their favorite class,” Church said, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
Crest Principal Travis Hermreck reinforced the theme with his introduction earlier in the morning, joking about how many teachers considered retirement before the Class of 2023 aged their way into their classrooms.
“We may have been wrong,” Hermreck said. “This class has achieved a lot of great things in many areas. They’ve touched a lot of lives and have been excellent role models for our youth to follow. Their presence has made our school a better place.”
Both Church and Hermreck shared inside jokes about their adventures, such as attending the state baseball contest.
Church also recognized his “teacher of influence,” Steve Bubna, and presented him with a special award.
Students also were recognized for receiving academic and athletic achievement awards from colleges and the community. They included:
Allysa Adams
Kammee Bachman
Avery Blaufuss
Trevor Church
Ethan Godderz
McKenna Hammond
Kamryn Luedke
Karter Miller
Stetson Setter
Sydney Stephens
Malachi Trester
Logan Walter
Jack White
Special academic awards were given to Avery Blauffus and Trevor Church. Both were named Kansas Curriculum Completers and both received the KSHSAA Citizenship Award. Church also was named a Kansas Governor’s Scholar and valedictorian for his class. Blaufuss was named salutatorian. Malachi Trester also was recognized for receiving a I-rating in the State Music Festival.
As Hermeck described the class, they’ve grown from “ornery kids to ornery young adults.”
“But they never forgot who they truly were and they were not afraid to stand firm in their beliefs and ideas,” he said.
“So go forth and forge your own path in life. Go to your car as many times during the day as you want. Talk as loud as you want during a Disney movie. And attack life like it was a 2-and-0 fastball. You’re an awesome group and you will be missed.”
