For many members of the Iola High School Class of 2023, Saturday’s commencement was their first “graduation” since kindergarten.
They didn’t have a ceremony to commemorate moving on from elementary school, class speaker Macie Hoag reminded them.
“If you went to Lincoln, you remember they still let us paint our hands on the wall, they just painted over them the next year,” she said.
The class has faced some challenges, Hoag recalled. She said high school teachers “were warned about us in middle school.”
Then came freshman year, which was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hoag led listeners on a journey from their first day of high school to their last.
Freshman at IHS start classes a day earlier than others, where they meet with seniors for a day of orientation.
“I remember seniors with the Class of 2020 telling us, ‘Oh, it goes by so fast,’” Hoag said. “I can tell you my eyes couldn’t have rolled further into the back of my head. Of course you would say that. You can see the light at the end. You’re about to graduate. You’re there.”
And now, four years later, she found herself agreeing.
“If my 14-year-old self would hear me say this, she’d be very disappointed, but it feels like yesterday that I was going to Mr. Coons’ biology class, applying for NHS, running for class office, going to my first school dance. Then it was Senior Night and reality hit like a bunch of bricks. We’re there.”
She acknowledged that some classmates may never see each other again. Even for those who keep in touch, their lives will change. They will journey down different paths.
Hoag reminded them that whatever happens next, “within our class, we have a community and a support system and I want every one of you to know you have a group that will cheer you on whatever path you decide to take.”
SATURDAY’S graduation included recognition of student achievements. Medals were given to class valedictorians Caiden Cloud and Jesse Taylor. Salutatorians were Travis Wanker and Luke Wicoff.
Iola Rotary Club’s Chelsea Lea presented the Rotary Achievement award to the top student in the class, which was Taylor. It was the 99th year the club has given the award, which includes a watch.
The class selected Hoag to represent them as class speaker before diplomas were presented.
The Class of 2023 marks the 144th graduation class.
