‘Let’s go make our mark on this world!’
THEDFORD - Five Thedford High School seniors graduated with full pomp and circumstance on Saturday, June 20, despite the ceremony being postponed due to COVID-19 health concerns. In his speech, Valedictorian Jakob Schaefer poked some fun at the situation. “I am honored to be giving this speech that I have successfully put off until the middle of June,” he said.
Jakob went on to thank teachers, school staff, parents and siblings for their support. He also gave advice to younger class members, telling them to enjoy every second of high school and saying, “Enjoy it because it will go by fast.”
Salutatorian Jared Inman also thanked family, friends and faculty and then shared memories of each class member, including himself. The class includes Shelton Anderson, Connor Burns, Brandon Dahlgren, Jared Inman and Jakob Schaefer.
Jared gave a nod to the current pandemic, saying “Sorry, COVID, but your attempts have failed. The Class of 2020 is still going out into the world and we have all our family, friends and faculty of Thedford High School who have helped and supported us along the way.”
The seniors were able to have a full ceremony, complete with slide show, music and presentation of diplomas. The seniors chose white and Arabian Teal as their colors and presented the class flower, white roses with Arabian Teal tips to loved ones. They chose the song, “Last Time for Everything,” by Brad Paisley as theirs as well as a Lewis Carroll quote as their motto, “In the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take.”
Jakob expressed appreciation of the opportunity to celebrate the class and commemorated the beginning of the next stages of the graduates lives. “Whether it be working or school then work, it’s our time,” he said. “We are finally in the next stage and we need to make the most of it because this world needs people like us. So let’s go and make our mark on the world.”
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