Evanston High School graduates 168

By Hayden Godfrey, Herald Reporter
Posted 6/12/24

EVANSTON — Evanston High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 1, at Kay Fackrell Stadium. After the graduates proceeded toward the stage, accompanied by a recording of …

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Evanston High School graduates 168

Evanston High School Senior Class President Hannah Godfrey tells her classmates that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to during the Evanston High School 2024 commencement ceremony. Godfrey plans to study at the University of Wyoming in the fall.
Evanston High School Senior Class President Hannah Godfrey tells her classmates that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to during the Evanston High School 2024 commencement ceremony. Godfrey plans to study at the University of Wyoming in the fall.
(HERALD PHOTO/Hayden Godfrey)
Posted

EVANSTON — Evanston High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 1, at Kay Fackrell Stadium. After the graduates proceeded toward the stage, accompanied by a recording of “Pomp and Circumstance,” followed by a senior choir performance of “Star Spangled Banner,” Principal Merle Lester introduced Senior Class President Hannah Godfrey.

Godfrey, an aspiring physician’s assistant bound for the University of Wyoming, gave a brief speech touching on the COVID-19 pandemic and the anxiety which accompanies an accomplishment as momentous as graduation. She told the class of 2024 that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

“All 168 of us have already been proven worthy of sitting here today,” she said. “Collectively, I think it’s fair to say it’s not always been an easy or enjoyable four years; but the dedication, determination and persistence ... has been nothing short of inspiring.” She concluded with a Dr. Seuss quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Student Body President Alli Sanchez-Mackey, who plans to study education at Utah Tech University, then spoke. Sanchez-Mackey began her speech by applauding community and staff members who had made an impact on her class. She reflected on the class’s freshman year, spent amidst COVID precautions.

“I might still sound a little bitter,” she said, “but if there’s one thing I hope anyone can take away from all of that experience, it’s to not take anything for granted, especially toilet paper.”

More seriously, she encouraged her class to take the opportunities life presents them, and to stay true to their goals and values no matter where life takes them.

After Sanchez-Mackey finished her speech, strings students played Jay Unger’s “Ashoken Farewell.”

Lester then introduced salutatorian Croydon Francis, who plans to go on a mission to Lubbock, Texas, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before pursuing a degree at Utah State University.

Francis talked about the countless hours of the past 13 years he and his class had spent in class. He said that what he and his classmates learned in the classroom does not compare to the individual and collective growth they have experienced.

He quoted Lil’ Wayne, saying, “I don’t need it to be easy. I need it to be worth it.” Francis said the journey had been worthwhile, yielding friendships and relationships to last a lifetime.

“I mean, we can’t even get enough of each other because we need a reunion every five to 10 years,” he said.

He said high school granted opportunities for growth, memorable experiences and the opportunity to gather on the field “wearing funny looking hats, annoying tassels and identical dresses, and walk across the stage to get a piece of paper.”

He said that paper represents the hard work completed and fond memories developed throughout the class’s education.

In the ceremony’s final musical performance, seniors in the EHS choir sang “Journey On” by Derrick Fox. At the number’s conclusion, valedictorian Tyler Robinson spoke. He plans to earn a physics degree from the University of Melbourne in Australia, followed by a doctorate in astrophysics and quantum physics.

Robinson recalled the unusual journey and accompanying antics of his graduating class, mentioning the rumored relocation of a toilet into the school’s ceiling and “a certain late-night taco run.” He said that, during the pandemic, he and his fellow graduates had learned many lessons “which transcend the academic bounds of school.”

The most important, he said, was to never tolerate or live a lie.

“All of our lives are adventures, but the only way they are our adventure is if we speak and follow what is true,” Robinson said.

He said this is where critical thinking is applied.

“If someone lives a life with even a modicum of untruthfulness as their foundation, they are not really living,” he said.

Robinson said he believes his class is capable of success. This success, he said, may not come in the form of monetary gain or the breaking of records, but will be unique to each individual’s adventure.

EHS Vice Principal Scott Kohler recognized the top 10% of the graduating class before presenting individual awards. The first of these was the Lois Michelsteder Citizenship Award, presented to Brenna Fackrell and Breyer Faddis. The next awards, for outstanding all-around male and female, went to Sanchez-Mackey and Cohen Morrow. The outstanding all-around athletes were Jocelyn Capener and Kai Barker.

Kohler invited Godfrey, Sanchez-Mackey and Emma Lester to the stage to acknowledge Lester in light of his retirement. On behalf of their class, they thanked the principal for his service, then congratulated him for finally finishing high school. Superintendent Ryan Thomas concluded the ceremony by certifying the graduates.