2022 Weiser High School graduation goes off without a hitch

It’s official: 115 students comprising the Weiser High School class of 2022 are now graduates.

 The gym at Weiser High School, the air filled with electricity and optimism, was packed to capacity during the school’s 123rd commencement ceremony held Sunday, May 22.

 The Weiser High School Band performed “Pomp and Circumstance” as this year’s graduates processed into the gym and took their seats.

 Following the National Anthem by the Weiser High School Chamber Singers, under the direction of Mike Turner, senior class officers opened the ceremony with some brief remarks.

 Senior Class President Shelbi Burns opened by recalling the pandemic and its effects on students, which began during her sophomore year, but said she was thankful that senior year was spared.

 “As the pandemic trudged through our world, students all over wondered if normal would ever be a ‘thing’ again,” she said. “Our junior year was a battle with masks, sickness, and what I like to call, ‘COVID Wednesdays.’ We lost out on a lot of our favorite things about high school that year, but we stuck it out. I don’t know about everyone else, but senior year kind of made up for the loss.”

 Senior Class Secretary Elsie King thanked family, friends, teachers, administration, and the Weiser community for their role in helping students along their respective journeys.

 “With the support of our amazing Weiser community and wonderful teachers, we may not have been able to accomplish the things we have been able to thus far,” she said. “We are truly grateful for the support we have received as a class and will hopefully someday be able to share that kindness with future Wolverines.”

 Weiser High School Principal Dave Davies welcomed attendees and introduced Vice Principal Drew Dickerson, the Weiser High School District Board of Trustees and Superintendent of Schools Wade Wilson, and recognized district school faculty and staff for their efforts and dedication to the education and support of all Weiser students.

 Associated Student Body President Brylee Williams, who will either be attending Yale University or the University of Idaho in the fall, expressed optimism for the future, cautioning students not to look back and always move forward.

 Here is an excerpt from his speech:

 “What an honor; I’m so excited,” said Williams of being selected to speak on behalf of the Class of 2022. “The more I thought about writing this speech, I realized that no matter how much I thought about it, it wasn’t going to be perfect. But isn’t that a great metaphor for life? No matter how much planning and thought and preparation you put into it, it’s not going to be perfect. Just take a step back, take a deep breath, and enjoy the process because if Mr. Srholec taught us anything, it’s that Rome wasn’t built in a day.

 “I might not exactly know what the secret to life is, but I have a pretty good idea of what it isn’t. Listen very carefully … the last four years of your life, do not determine the next four years of your life, and the next four years of your life won’t, either. Who you were in high school does not define you. In fact, I have some really great news for all of you: the person you want to become and the life you want to live is entirely up to you … but as far as the future goes, I hope that you do not someday look back on your life with regret, so take chances, try new things, make mistakes, learn from them, and then have great success.”

 Senior Class President Shelbi Burns spoke about all the things she was going to miss while a student at Weiser High School but expressed her excitement for what is yet to come, thanking parents, teachers, staff, fellow students, and others, as far back as kindergarten, for their help and support.

 “I’m overwhelmed with joy thinking of all the things we will experience in the future,” she said. “Our class motto is, ‘You are never too old to set another goal, or dream a new dream,’ by C.S. Lewis. Some of our dreams are leading us to college, others to trade school, the military, and for some the workforce. But no matter where we go, we can always carry on the Wolverine way we were taught. I want to talk about how lucky we are to have such amazing teachers to help us along the way but there is no luck about it. We have been truly blessed.”

 Students of the Class of 2022 received numerous scholarships and produced 11 Honors students (3.5-3.74 GPA), 17 High Honors students (3.75-3.99 GPA), and 11 Highest Honors students (4.0 GPA).

 The Weiser Signal American would like to congratulate the Class of 2022 and wishes all graduates the very best in their future endeavors.