Graduation—major milestones reached at CCS, WP

Chase County Schools held commencement exercises for the Class of 2022 on Saturday when 46 CCS seniors crossed that threshold from high school to beyond.
Nineteen Wauneta-Palisade seniors also graduated on Saturday.
The CCS band, directed by Agnes Strand, played the Fanfare and Processional as the CCS seniors in caps and gowns made their way up front to their seats.
Opening remarks were given by Jordan Jablonski, Senior Class Vice President.
CCS 7-12 Principal Mike Sorensen gave a welcome speech when he shared three pieces of advice.
“One, be happy at what you do in life. It doesn’t matter how much money you make just as long as you are happy doing it.
“Two, don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone once in awhile. Challenge yourself. If you don’t, you will lead a boring life.
“And three, make someone smile or laugh every day. They will feel good and so will you,” Sorensen said.
The Salutatorian Address was given by Ella O’Neil.
She first welcomed the audience and shared some personal comments of memories leading up to this point.
She addressed the teachers and all educational staff with the gratefulness she felt towards all they contributed to the students’ education.
O’Neil spoke to the community and acknowledged their support.
O’Neil thanked the families for their encouragement and helping the students through all the hard times, and finally—to her fellow classmates—she shared how proud she was of being a part of the class and their accomplishments.
“I want to leave you with a message: I hope you appreciate yourself for how far you’ve already come, for how graceful you carried yourselves through the different seasons of your life and for the strength you held yourself with through challenges,” O’Neil said.
Valedictorian Morgan Peterson addressed the audience by commending the class for being a part of what she believed to be one of the most impactful classes to walk the halls of CCS.
She believes the class collectively changed the Longhorn high school experience over the last 13 years.
She was proud of the hard work ethic and competitiveness in her class and recounted the many successes in all areas of high school activities.
“For the last 13 years, we’ve been a team of individuals working towards the common goal of walking across this stage today,” Peterson said.
What she will remember the most is the laughs they have shared.
Her speech was laced with emotion, memories, encouragement and humor.
She had two pieces of advice to share:
“Number one: Don’t forget where you came from. Without this small Nebraska town, we wouldn’t understand the value of dirty hands, waves from strangers on main street and beautiful days when the wind blows less than 10 mph.
“Number two: Have no fear. The only way to learn is to fail. It’s time to see what God has planned for you outside of this building,” Peterson said.
Following the speeches, the 9th St. Singers performed directed by David Rushing.
CCS Supt. Adam Lambert presented the Class of 2022. Diplomas were distributed by  CCS board of education members Carrie Terryberry and Steve Wallin, both of whom had children in the graduating class.
Closing remarks were given in English and Spanish by Arturo Miscles, class president, followed by the recessional as the Class of 2022 adjourned outside to receive the hugs, laughter and tears of  family and friends.
WP commencement
Wauneta-Palisade’s 2022 class of 19 was celebrated at a 10:30 a.m. service.
Alexa Sandman welcomed the crowd of family and friends and introduced the ceremony’s speaker, Aaron Behrends.
Behrends taught at WP for 23 years before moving to Alliance after the 2020-2021 school year. Behrends took one more picture of the class together before he began his speech. Behrends talked to the class more than the crowd and thanked them for inviting him back.
Behrends, Valedictorian Garrett Hanna and Salutatorian Grant Walker each thanked the school lunch staff for their excellent work at WP.
The class passed out flowers to family and friends as Trace Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This” played throughout the gym.
School board members Allison Sandman, Laurie Maris and Aaron McKinney passed out diplomas as Tayler Nordhausen read the class roll.
The graduates’ recessional song was “I’m in a Hurry” by Alabama.