The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

In anticipation of getting their celebrations underway, Fleming High School's Class of 2022 kept their commencement ceremony short and sweet, yet traditional. The 11-member class gathered in caps and gowns on Sunday, May 15 surrounded by a full gymnasium of family, friends and supporters for the hour-long event. Ushers Braylen Feather, Nolan Japp, Jaime Nab and Alaina Schliesser escorted the graduating class.

Following the invocation given by Harry Harms, Class President Natali Boerner welcomed those in attendance. She recognized and thanked those present for their support and guidance over the years. Boerner concluded her time at the podium by assuring the audience that because of their unfailing encouragement, "... we can now be certain that we are ready to enter this new and exciting chapter of our lives."

Introduction of the graduates followed during a presentation given by Guidance Counselor Randy Stahley. Stahley opened by noting that the FHS Class of 2022 has already completed a combined 210 hours of college credits. He ran down a list of scholarships obtained by each member of the class and announced their future plans as well as some of his predictions for the graduates' futures. Several of this year's graduates earned Fleming Alumni Scholarships. Joel Muller earned the Fleming VFW Scholarship in addition to the Rhonda Kirkwood Memorial Scholarship and the Adam Wernsman "True Grit" Scholarship.

Stahley also noted during his speech that Valedictorian Zoey Vandenbark earned a number of grants and scholarships including a Daniels Scholarship, which gives her a "full-ride."

"Please, dear, sweet, seniors that I am going to miss dearly; please remember these words of wisdom...," concluded Stahley, "... show up to work early and get to work. Ask what messy jobs need to be done before you take lunch break. Ask what needs to be done to finish the day before you go home. And lastly work hard, do the best job possible, ask questions when needed and stay off that gosh darn phone!"

Damon Nab followed Stahley at the podium to present the class slideshow. He took a brief moment to thank staff members at the school who put together gift baskets for each graduate filled with household items and utensils.

The Class of 2022 took their places behind the family section of the audience as lights dimmed and the slideshow began. In traditional fashion, the slideshow featured pictures from the past and present of each individual member of the class set to the song of their choosing. The slideshow wrapped up with pictures of the class together as a whole.

As the lights came back on, this year's graduates grabbed flowers and gifts to present to their family and friends. They spent time taking pictures and giving out hugs as "Home Sweet Home" played over the sound system.

Once everyone returned to the stage, Principal Kortney Firme introduced this year's salutatorian - Jessie Bornhoft.

Bornhoft addressed her class opening with, "Well, guys ... we finally made it." She spent her time at the podium reminiscing about class antics moving through the years. She spoke of the banning of duck-duck-goose due to a concussion and other unfortunate events involving "vicious" ducks.

Bornhoft relayed memories of the class' sophomore year, when the volleyball and football teams won state titles and the majority of the class passed their driver's license test on the first try. She kept the challenges brought on by COVID-19 during the end of the class' sophomore year lighthearted and said, "Luckily when junior year came around we got to go back to school. Granted, we did have to stay in one classroom all day and sit behind those annoying Plexiglas shields. Despite these setbacks, we did have some fun."

She joked about one classmate pulling fire alarms and another's attachment to his pliers, intense Monopoly games and coming of age. "Half of us have already been summoned for jury duty," she said.

She spoke of the senior class trip and the boys' pet turtle, Ernesto, who remained in Texas after spending nearly a whole day with the celebrating seniors.

"Now here we are at graduation - our last moment as students of Fleming High School. As we all go our separate ways and set out into the real world, the memories we made here will stick with us. Thank you."

Valedictorian Zoey Vandenbark took the microphone following her introduction by Firme. She kept her speech brief, opening by saying, "To my fellow graduates, over the last four years here at Fleming High School, we have learned a lot."

She continued on to share memories of her class. "There has been a combination of good time and bad times, moments of laughter and joy and of course, last-minute studying for tests we've all somehow forgotten about."

(Herald photo by Spring Atchison)

VALEDICTORIAN ZOEY Vandenbark receives her diploma and a hug from her mom, Frenchman Board of Education Member Carmen Vandenbark, during commencement ceremonies held Sunday, May 15.

"Today marks the day that we are Fleming graduates. The home of the Wildcats is now the home of tomorrow's welders, engineers, physical therapists, linemen, business leaders, athletic trainers, pharmacists and nurses."

"Graduation marks the end of yet another extraordinary chapter in our lives. Our time together is sadly over," she continued. "As you begin the next phase, I wish you all the very best in whatever you chose to pursue in life."

And with that being said, Firme returned to center stage for the conferring of diplomas. Each member of the class was offered congratulations by the Frenchman Board of Education and took their seats back on the stage.

As Simple Minds' classic from The Breakfast Club, "Don't You (Forget About Me)" played, the class exited in groups of two and three. They made their way to the rear of the venue and with a traditional hat toss, made their final farewell to Fleming High School.