LYMAN — As the seniors marched into the auditorium, they were greeted with claps and yells as they moved forward to take their seats.

The seniors, dressed in robes of blue and black, were ushered in by the four top ranking students in the junior class.

In her introduction, Hallie Buemel noted the class’s teachers and parents had been there for the students and said, they “…believed in us when we doubted ourselves.” She spoke of threshold of change the students were now on and noted they should be proud of being from Lyman.

Tyden Hill basically reiterated this idea. And he said, “…every new beginning starts with a new start.” He also noted those who put out, “…more effort are more successful.”

Michael Staley, salutatorian, said the students had spent long hours studying to reach this point in their life, to “… get here where we stand. We have overcame obstacles… and had fun.” He talked of the unity of the class and how they had achieved as a class.

Lynlee Peterson, valedictorian, said the classmates had “…known each other for a long time.” Then she asked, “What are you going to do now?” She said they should explore the world as it was full of possibilities and cautioned her classmates to remember, “There will always be someone there to catch you,” if they encountered problems or needed help.

LHS principal Chris Tucker in evaluating the students in the 2023 class said, “These are amazing kids in our high school.” He talked about some of the honors the students had received academically, athleteiclly and in other activities and noted two – Levi Trees and Payton Anson – had also enlisted in branches of the U.S. military. Top students in the different departments were listed in the program.

Tucker presented two district awards to people who had an impact on the district. Kerry Koch was recognized with the Paul Willie Teacher Award and James Hysell was presented the Friend of Education Award for his contributions to the District.

In addition, Tucker recognized the contribution of the students’ parents in the students’ successes. He said, “Parents you need to be recognized. Parents, you did it. Good job.” He also told the graduating seniors, when they go out in the world, “never forget where you came from.”

He told the district board, the students had completed the requirements for graduation. Then the students were introduced and handed their diplomas, marking the end of their high school careers.