Oh, the Places You'll Go! Salutatorian Brooke Plumb opened her speech to the graduating Class of 2022 with the words, "Today is your day. You're off to great places! You're off and away!" from Dr. Suess' book, Oh the Places You'll Go. Plumb took the stage at Haxtun High School on Sunday, May 22 to address her peers, family and friends following the processional to Pomp and Circumstance and welcome from Allie Thompson.

Thompson, Senior Class President, welcomed a packed gym to the 2022 commencement ceremony, thanking everyone who had a hand in getting the graduates ready and prepared for the day, not only over the past 12 years of school, but also on graduation day; specifically family members who rushed athletes from competing at the State track Meet to the graduation ceremony in just a matter of hours.

"Just a few hours ago I was competing at State," Thompson said. "Thanks for getting us here today, literally."

Plumb, who earned the second highest grade point average of the 19 members of the graduating class, said Dr. Suess was rejected by 27 different publishers before publishing his first book.

"Twenty-seven. I want you to imagine being rejected 27 different times, by 27 different people," Plumb said. "Imagine that many people telling you that your idea was worthless and not worth telling to the world."

By complete chance, Plumb said Dr. Suess ran into a school friend who was working in publishing and read the manuscript for And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street and later published the book.

"It was published, followed by 60 more. I stand here today, holding the last book Dr. Suess ever wrote, Oh the Places You'll Go! This book doesn't only speak of the exciting opportunities that are available in the world. It also speaks of the hardships in life," Plumb told her classmates. "Not every day is going to be a good day. Not every decision is going to be a smart one. There will always been times that present challenges and there will always be times where everything seems dark."

The salutatorian went on to tell her classmates that Dr. Suess summed up the hard times with the following words, "Somehow you'll escape all that waiting and staying. You'll find the bright places where boom bands are playing."

She said through perseverance and determination, those challenges can be solved and those dark places turn to light, just like Dr. Suess' 27 rejections. Plumb recalled challenges the students faced throughout high school; hard tests, challenging sporting events and sometimes difficult relationships with people.

"My point is, high school came with no shortage of challenges, but you guys, look at us now!" Plumb said. "We all made it through those now trivial challenges. We are about to walk across the stage, signaling the end of this chapter of our lives and the beginning of another."

Plumb told graduates that as they face challenges in life, to face them head on.

"You're off to great places! Today is your day!" she said in closing.

Azariah Calderon took the podium next as the graduate with the highest grade point average earning her the Valedictorian honor.

"When I found out that I had to give a speech at graduation, I wasn't entirely sure what I should talk about," she began. "Should I reminisce on funny memories of our class? Should I thank everyone who helped us get here today? Should I congratulate all of you on your accomplishments? I was simply at a loss."

Calderon said she sat down with her thoughts and decided to speak about what the Class of 2022 stands for. "I quickly realized that it is easy to find out. We stand for friendships and hardships, determination and procrastination, wins and losses, laughter and tears, but most of all, resilience," she said.

The Valedictorian told members of her graduating class that life is not about what hand you are dealt, but rather how you choose to play.

"Whether we had a bad start, many ups and downs or lots of punches along the way, we showed what it meant to preserve. It can be seen in our academics, athletics, extracurriculars, inside or outside of school and in our really unique personalities," said Calderon.

She said the successes of the Class of 2022 came from accepting failure, learning from it and doing better the next time.

"Today we become Haxtun High School graduates," said Calderon. "The home of the Haxtun Fightin' Bulldogs is now also the home of tomorrows doctors, welders, teachers, mechanics, IT guys, electricians, farmers, business owners, firefighters and so much more. No matter why we ended up here in this small town in Northeast Colorado, what is important now is that we are all here to celebrate our triumphs, our memories with each other, our victories both individually and as a class and the journey in which we have all embarked on towards our future destinations."

Calderon said there were not enough words in the English language to explain how proud of her class she is or how thankful she is that she was accepted when she moved to Haxtun and started school here.

"I would like to thank everyone that helped us get here today. Whether you raised a kid in this class, taught a student in this class, coached an athlete in this class, mentored a pupil in this class or have any other relation to one of the graduates in the Class of 2022," she said. "We are all in debt to you and your endless support throughout our school career here at Haxtun Schools."

Class member Alex Farrell later took the stage to present the composite and class gift. The composite, on display in the lobby, will later be hung with the others at the entrance to high school hall way from the lobby to forever remember Haxtun High School's Class of 2022. As a gift, the class used funds to purchase a hot dog machine to be used in the concession stand at home games.

The lights later dimmed and graduates, friends, family and community members watched the big screen at the front of the gym as pictures of the class together from preschool through 12th grade flashed along with chosen music. Each graduate also featured baby and senior pictures with specifically selected music to suit each individual.

Following the slideshow, the 19 graduates grabbed white with blue tipped flowers to show appreciation to parents, grandparents, siblings and special guests while the song, "House that Built Me," by Miranda Lambert played on the sound system.

The Class of 2022 chose the lilac flower and song "Unwritten" by Natasha Bettingfield along with the motto, "We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are," by Max Depree.

High School Principal Dustin Seger addressed the class just before presenting diplomas to the graduates. He said preparing a speech for such an important day is always a challenge but he was reminded about characteristics that contribute to happiness and success and the importance of helping others.

"Growing up and going to school in our rural community has exposed all of you to times when community members and neighbors have banded together to help each other during times of need," Seger said. "As you grow into adulthood, the people you meet in your community and interact with will become your lifelong friends. It won't be hugely important to these new friends if you were an honor roll student or if you were a great athlete in school. What will be important to them is how you treat your fellow man."

Seger told the 19 graduates to make it a habit of pitching in to help neighbors, family and friends and to find genuine happiness. He also talked about characteristics of hard work. "One thing you can control in your life is how hard you work," he said.

He encouraged the class to follow their dreams, wherever that may take them; college, work or other life paths. "In any event, please remember the lessons you have learned here and put them to good use as you move through life," said Seger.

Seger told the graduates, in closing, to learn from the past and leave it behind, to prepare for the future ahead and to live in the present as it is here and now.

"You have the opportunity to build, to inspire and to lead. Class of 2022, the road is ahead of you," the Principal said. "As you take it, be certain to learn from the past, prepare for the future and live in the present."

As certified by the board of education, Seger presented each of the 19 members of Haxtun High School's Class of 2022 with high school diplomas and granted them permission to turn their tassels on their each personally decorated graduation caps.

In total, the 19 graduates earned over $489,540 in scholarship funds.

As graduates turned their tassels and threw caps into the air to celebrate, each exited the gym as Figthin' Bulldog alumni on their way to their next destination.

(Herald photo by Candie Fix)

GRADUATE Owen Knode gets a high-five from a supporter seated on the floor as he and classmates Koby Way, middle, and Joshua Wright exit with diplomas in hand following Haxtun High School's commencement ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

"Your mountain is waiting," Salutatorian Plumb left her classmates with at the end of her speech. "So ... get on your way!"