Mission graduates celebrate success
Beau Biggs photo
Like many area graduations, Mission High School celebrated 2021 commencement exercises outdoors.
Beau Biggs photo
Mission High School graduates give “thank you” roses to people who helped them achieve success before receiving diplomas.
Beau Biggs photo
Beau Biggs photo
Beau Biggs photo
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ST. IGNATIUS — Mission High School released 26 graduates into the world on Saturday afternoon while the popular song “Who Let the Dogs Out” played over the loud speaker during the outdoor ceremony.
The community came out in droves to support these students with an in-person ceremony on the football field. The students were able to sit as a group during the ceremony this year to hear speeches and words of congratulations. Two valedictorians were chosen this year with Sydney Brander and Keana Thomas sharing the honor. Brynn Pule was the salutatorian.
During the ceremony, graduates took turns sharing memories. Lalo Bravo came up to share some “senior advice” and memories. He recalled the time Keana said she “tripped” and his head ended up in his locker.
Emotions surged when the rose ceremony began. Each of the graduates stood up and moved through the crowd to find the person they felt helped them the most throughout their time in school and thank them with a rose.
After the roses were handed out and tears wiped away, school officials recognized a few accomplishments. Layne Spidel received the Career Pathway Graduates award and the Most Valuable Player award for sports. High School Principal Shawn Hendrickson said he was pretty sure Spidel had broken some track records during his senior year.
The graduates were all smiles once the diplomas started to be handed out. One graduate shared a joke with his mother. He said: “Look mom, I made it.” And his mom said, with a smile, “Are you sure it isn’t blank?” He played along and looked at his certificate to verify that indeed he had made the monumental accomplishment of graduating.
Once all the graduates all received their diplomas, they turned their tassels and threw up their hats in celebration. The Mission High School graduation class of 2021 included Ella S. Arlint; Joseph K. Ashley; Addison Vadalynn Bird; Solomon Javon Bolen; Sydney June Brander; Evarardo Eugene Bravo-Oliver; Connor Michael Burke; Trevyn James Deshawn Carter; Luke Scott Connelly; Pamela Barbara Frost; Boone D. Gilleard; Ian C. Killorn; John Harvey Komotios III; Jace Armi Louis Matt; Josiah Ronald Joseph Matt; David McNutt; Dustin Dean Mitchell; Isaiah Shane Nasewytewa; Brandon Terry Lee Parker; Brynn Olivia Pule; Timothy Aiden Richardson; Christian Malachi Smith; Layne Robert Spidel; Tristen Craig Teeple; Keana Joy Tavette Thomas; and Ryan Steven Wickenberg.
