2024 Graduation Ceremonies Held Across Phillips County

Last week the four high schools in Phillips County including Malta, Whitewater, Dodson, and Saco, held graduation ceremonies for their senior classes of 2024.

Dodson started things off with their graduation ceremony on Friday, May 17, at 6 p.m., which featured graduations for the Class of 2024, Class of 2028 (Middle School), and Class of 2036 (Kindergarten).

Whitewater started soon after, at 7 p.m. on Friday night, graduating their Class of 2024 and Class of 2028.

Saco's graduation ceremony was held on Saturday, May 18, at 2 p.m. The school graduated their Class of 2024 and Class of 2028.

Malta held the last ceremony on Sunday, May 19, at 2 p.m. The school graduated their Class of 2024.

Saco

Mixed emotions were evident on Saturday afternoon as the graduating class of Saco High, the Class of 2024, and for some families, the last child to graduate.

Saco is unique, in that they recognize the graduating class from 50 years ago, and this year was no exception. Three of the fourteen graduates of ''74 have passed away; those that attended relived a lot of memories and a few hadn't been back for years. Nevertheless, the town welcomed them all back to "Panther Country" and what they used to call "home."

The graduates were Jocelyn Louise Pippin Brown (salutatorian), Marshall Dillon Caves, Teagan Renae Erickson (valedictorian), Nathan Jayce Salveson, and Abby Alexis Yeska.

Salutatorian Brown shared, "It seems like no matter who I turn to these days, I'm hearing some rendition of "it's time to leave the nest" and I decided that today, why not beat the dead horse and just embrace ALL the clichés in my speech. After all, time flies, and today is the day we've been working toward since kindergarten. If we can't be sentimental now, when can we be?"

She said school wasn't like a bed of roses like high school musicals told them it would be, but for the last hour they have together, before the diploma is placed in their hands, she invited her classmates to take time and smell the flowers...just soak it all in. To her classmates she directed her thoughts, "...take this last hour to reflect on the past four, or even thirteen years, and pat yourselves on the back for all the work you've put in and endured. We finally made it." She said, "It's time we write our own story. Parents should not think of today as the day your babies finally ditch the nest, but as the day they finally learn to fly."

The High School Choir performed Mama Mia, at this time in the program.

School Board member, Jay Yeska, presented the eighth grade students, Chase Albus and Royce Strobbe with Certificates of Completion.

Valedictorian, Teagan Erickson, was delighted as she stepped to the podium to address her classmates, family, and friends in one last hurrah. "Thank you so much for coming to celebrate the end of a significant chapter in my life and the lives of my classmates. Standing upon this stage, speaking to you now is a surreal feeling. I know every freshman begins to count down the days until they finally make it to graduation and now that it is here, it's hard to believe. I had long contemplated how I was going successfully set up a speech that would help encapsulate my high school experience while providing insight for the underclassmen in this building today."

She said she was encouraged to avoid graduation clichés of "I can't believe we made it" and "Wow, what a journey this has been." With that being said, she shared her appreciation for her 12 years at Saco Schools. Her first thank you was to the educators who have made an impact on her journey. Stressing the dedication, push, influence, encouragement and guidance, for a lifetime of never-ending support.

Erickson also acknowledged her coaches for their leadership and dedication; she was grateful for their lessons in accountability, to celebrate the wins and use the losses as a reminder there's always ways to improve. They were accredited for helping her become "the best version of myself on the court, as well as off the court."

She then spoke of the lessons each of her classmates had taught her: Yeska had taught her patience, Caves was attributed with courage and taking a leap of faith. Salveson, through his passions, taught her that finding what we are passionate about is the key to success.

Through various colors, ideas, and styles, Brown had taught her to be open-minded and she admired her creativity.

With a new chapter in life before all of them, they would rely on resiliency during difficult times and everyday persistence. With that, she and her classmates were ready to embark on the new journey life has given them.

The graduates of the Class of 1974 were introduced and acknowledged. Nathan Salveson then performed an impressive musical.

Guest speaker for the commencement was former Saco High School graduate, Miranda (Yeska) Orr, who thanked the Class of 1974 and congratulated the Class of 2024. Her words of inspiration to the graduates were to value the commodity of time. It is valuable. Don't waste it and don't let others waste it and to do their best to make the most of it.

Orr recalled her own graduation, stating she was really nervous. Then said she really didn't remember much about her own commencement speaker and told the graduates they might recall what she said when she addressed the community and graduates.

"You don't remember what people say, what people do...but you will remember how they made you feel."

She told of her studies at college, in the field of art history. She said the books were thick and she said it didn't reach her - it wasn't her passion. She shared about changing her degree to biology and a minor in chemistry.

It was through her own personal experience of understanding her grandmother's battle with alzheimer's that directed her to Great Falls College.

Orr shared about when her husband became very ill and it took some time to get an accurate diagnosis as to what he was dealing with. They went to dentists, orthopedists and various things were happening. He was diagnosed with a very advanced cancer, his blood was 98% cancer. Had they not got to the doctor when they did, he would have been dead in two days.

They did surgery within four hours and they spent the next ten months in the hospital. After eight months he got a bone marrow transplant. When the time came to make the decision to continue with another transplant, he opted not to have it.

He took anti-rejection medicine, and her interest peaked and she began research on aging.

She focus her words to the graduates and asked them prior to the ceremony what they feared about getting older. "One of the five said they feared looking like Mr. Freeman."

"One feared wearing dentures," while "one feared being able to do what they love - their physical abilities."

Orr stated, "One actually fearing losing their memory." She offered ideas for warding off dementia and alzheimers, such as good diet and exercise ("getting off your butt") and getting enough sleep.

The lives of the five from birth to graduation were shared in the slide show, after which graduates delivered roses to loved ones and special people in their lives.

Scholarships were then announced: Yeska: $2,000 Rob Romo Scholarship; Erickson: $2,000 Rob Romo Scholarship, MSU-Bozeman WBB Athletic Scholarship; Salveson: $2,000 Rob Romo Scholarship, $250 Joye Pewonka Memorial Scholarship, $600 Saco Music Boosters Appreciation, $500 Alvin and July Kober Scholarship, $500 Ken and Dawn White Memorial Scholarship and $200 Saco Teachers Scholarship; Brown: $10,000 Fred L. Robinson Scholarship, $1,000 Nemont Scholarship, $5,000 Visual Arts Scholarship, Concordia Tuition Waiver Renewable, $100 Eastern Star Salutatorian Scholarship, $2,000 Rob Romo Scholarship, $500 Stiles, Iverson Sudbrack Memorial Scholarship, $500 Ken and Dawn White Scholarship, $200 Saco Teachers Scholarship and $150 Robert Cooper Memorial Scholarship.

Ending the day on a high note with anxious seniors waiting with open hands. Jay Yeska handed out the padded cases which held twelve years of learning, struggles, trials and tears and accomplishments to the five graduates.

Those five graduates will be in audience in 50 years as guests for they were the graduating Class of 2024.

Malta

The Malta High School Class of 2024 Commencement Exercise was the last of the high school graduations in Phillips County. The event was held on Sunday, May 19, at the MHS Gymnasium.

The class consists of Elly Anderson, Bradley Brown, Kyle Darrington, Samme Gibbs, Sydney Gibbs, Clayton Hallenberg, Anna Harms, Taylin Johannesen, Jace Johnson, Adrianna Kent, Giona Lamb, Colton Mears, Carson Ottinger, Ryder Raymond, Carly Rhoads, E'Mbow SaintLouis, Mason Sjostrom, Gavin Slade, Skip Snell, Hunter Stolem, Addison Ulrich, and Jo'Vahn Velasquez.

The event started with a processional by the MHS Concert Band under the direction of Mr. Roy McKenney and then the National Anthem by the MHS Concert Choir under the direction of Mrs. Janell McKenney.

Malta High School Principal Shawn Bleth gave his opening opening remarks and then the MHS Choir played "Good Old Days".

Mr. Bleth then introduced the 2024 MHS Salutatorian E'mBow SaintLouis. Here is his speech.

Alright, just one ground rule. Save your tears for after my speech because I'm a very ugly crier, and because I owe Hunter (Stolem) five bucks for every tear. So we need to focus up. To the family, friends, faculty, and undistinguished guests here at the Malta Class of 2024 graduation ceremony. Hey! To the Class of 2024. How y'all doing?

First off, I want to congratulate all the students for making it here. It's not as easy as we made it look and I'm extremely proud of you guys for putting in the work to end up on this stage. So let's have a big round of applause for these guys.

I remember waking up the first day of my freshman year, so nervous for high school. I don't know why, but I was convinced that it was supposed to be the worst four years of my life, that I was going to get bullied the way kids do in Disney movies, and I needed to get "through" it and focus on college and focus on the rest of my life. Man, somebody needs to calm that kid down just a little bit. And I can't, BUT if I could show little me anything, I'd show him today. Me Standing here as the Salutatorian and Student Body President of MHS in Malta, Montana. He could see this little class from out in the middle of nowhere, with all the friends I've grown and developed with. And tell him that only some of you guys bully me! I could spend a long time talking to him about the memories I've created with each and every one of you. And I'd let him know how much the Class of 2024 means to me. What the people who have supported me means to me.

And part of me wants to say he'd be pretty starry -eyed knowing he made it to graduate, but another part of me knows he'd just say "and you can't even make valedictorian?" And I'd say NO! I can't beat Addie Ulrich at anything because she's too smart!

I've calmed down a little bit, and I became a person that doesn't believe in getting "through" something. I hate that, because it means you're just putting your head down and going through the motions. And that's no way to go through life. If you don't pick up your head and look around, you're gonna miss all the scenery. I'LL SAY IT AGAIN. If you don't pick up your head and look around, you're gonna miss all the scenery. There's certain things you only get to experience once. I'll never meet Mr. Bleth for the first time again. I'll never take the ACT again. Parents can only drop their kid off at school for the first time once. You can only be a high schooler once (I hope.. get good grades). You can only graduate right here, right now, once. If I spent high school with my head down, I never would've found out who I wanted to be or got a clue as to what I wanted to do. And I'm so grateful that I came here and was introduced to people that picked my head up. You never truly know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.

So take it in. Live in it. Live every one of them like it's your last. You only get this life once.

Alright, and now that I've made it sentimental and weird, I want to say bye to my class. I hope you enjoy yourselves. College or no college, 9 to 5 or no 9 to 5, when you take your caps and gowns off to embark on your journeys into the real world, I hope you all keep the ability to be your most authentic selves. I hope you make the most of your amazing talents.

There's many things to look forward to, and I have some advice for you to achieve everything you want in any situation. Foolproof right here. Ready? Be kind. Joyous. Helpful. Giving. Funny. Strong. Humble. Happy. Sad. Thoughtful. Smart. Prepared. Present. Angry. Loving. Daring. Graceful. Upset. Caring. AND DON'T let anyone tell you that you can't be any one of those things. I know what you're thinking, after hearing the best advice you've ever heard from Bow, you can't wait to live your best life. I know, thank me when you're rich.

In the wise words of a famous writer and poet, Kendrick Lamar... Do you hear me? Do you feel me? We gon'be alright

Thank you Malta!

Mr. Bleth then introduced 2024 MHS Valedictorian Addison Ulrich, who gave her speech.

Welcome, family and friends of the Class of 2024. Today, we celebrate finishing this chapter of our lives often referred to as childhood. As this chapter closes, another begins. Not one of our futures will look the same because from here on out, we write our story. We choose what we do with the rest of our lives. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "what lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Right now, I would like you to look back on the memories you've made, whether it was at this school or another. Remember the times you had a good laugh with a classmate, the times you connected with someone new. Remember when a teacher helped you when you were struggling or when someone made your bad day a little bit better. These little moments make up high school, not your "social status", if you do sports or not, or how many clubs you're in. These moments are unplanned and unexpected and may seem very small, but they are the things that will be remembered. Your bad test scores and embarrassing presentations will be forgotten, but the moments you spent interacting with others are what you and everyone else will remember.

To the underclassmen, high school goes by faster than you think. It's easy to be focused on the future and life after school, but here's some advice for you. Live in the moment. Enjoy the years you have left here, the years left before you are on your own. You have the rest of your life to be an adult, so keep being a child now. Don't have regrets. You may look back on these years someday and wonder how things might have been. If you would have tried out for a team, or not tried out, joined a club, or become friends with the new kid. You never know how things will turn out until you try it, so go for it and don't regret any of it.

To the senior class, I wish you all success in your future. All of the time and work spent here has paid off. High school may not have been what you expected, but it is something we all experienced together. We got through it. And we couldn't have done it without everyone around us. I would like to give thanks to our community of teachers, family, and friends for supporting us through high school and on to our futures. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2024.

The speech was followed by the MHS Concert Band, who played a song called Reflections.

The graduates were then presented by Principal Bleth, followed by the Conferring of Diplomas by Malta Schools Superintendent Steve Bucks and the Malta School Board of Trustees, and various members of the MHS Faculty, which was followed by the Rose Ceremony.

Supt. Bucks then made his closing remarks which were followed by the MHS Concert Band playing the recessional song - "Blue and White."

Dodson

The Dodson Public Schools Graduation Ceremony was held on Friday, May 17, at 6 p.m. The event started with the presentation of the 8th Grade Graduates, who will be the Class of 2028.

Dodson's eighth grade graduating class is Salma Addy, Kaiya Doney, Bentlie Ereaux, Zyrae Fletcher, Joseph Stiffarm, Tyrel Turnsplenty, and Jerelee Wing.

Mr. Gary Weitz, superintendent of Dodson School, was introduced.

Dodson's Class of 2024 was then announced. The class consisted of Sebastian Best, Kataya KillEagle-Flansburg, Jamiee Stiffarm, Dani TurnsPlenty, and Michael Turnsplenty. The class also left a spot for their fallen classmate, Landen Fox who tragically passed away, in an accident in October of 2021.

J. Stiffarm was unable to attend the ceremony.

The guest speaker that evening was Ed Scott, a 1962 DHS graduate. Scott was also recognized for his donations to the school in scholarship form since 2019.

Scott thanked the Class of 2024, as well as their family and friends, for their support in helping the class "cross the finish line."

Scott, who graduated with two others, was the salutatorian of his class. He said that he remembers graduating from DHS in 1962.

"I recall the excitement and anticipation that I had as I looked forward to the next steps of my young life," Scott said. "I also recall mixed feelings of joy and sadness because it had marked the end of many years together with family, school administrators, and friends on a great adventure."

He said that he still has a copy of his salutatorian speech tucked into his 1962 Coyote Call yearbook.

In that speech he referred to the Dodson Public School system as "the master builder of human character." Scott said that he still believes that reference applies to Dodson School in 2024.

"Your character has been impacted by your teachers, administrators, books, and friendships of this fantastic school system," Scott said.

After Scott's speech, the class of 2024 presented Scott with a star quilt adorned in the school's colors, green, yellow, and black.

Salutatorian Kataya KillEagle-Flansburg was then introduced.

She greeted all present for the event.

"Wow. After thirteen years, close to 5,000 days, and over 16,000 class periods, we have made it to this day," she said. "The day that we have been waiting for so long, the beginning of the rest of our lives."

She went on to quote the class motto by Bob Marley, "Beginnings are usually scary, and endings are usually sad, but it's everything in between that makes it all worth living."

"In these halls, we have shared laughs, attended many sporting events, rushed to make it to first period because you may have been running a little late, and most importantly we have made memories that will last a lifetime," KillEagle-Flansburg said.

She then gave an example of when one student set off the fire extinguisher, which at the time made all of the students in that class laugh uncontrollably. She said that Michael and Landen laughed the hardest because they were the likeliest suspects.

"However, it was not them," KillEagle-Flansburg said. "Which made the situation even more hilarious."

Instead, it was her cousin, Best, who turned red after the event that KillEagle-Flansburg called a "rookie mistake."

She then said that the class of 2024 had overcome many difficulties. But the hardest was losing their friend and classmate, Landen.

"With our small, tight knit class that had become family throughout the years, that was by far the hardest obstacle to overcome within our high school years. Our ability to do hard things will serve as a springboard for our future successes," she said.

She went on to thank those that have helped the class of 2024 over the years.

"As we take the next step forward and look to our future, we can do so with confidence because we are now well-equipped," KillEagle-Flansburg said.

"Now, Class of 2024, thank you for making high school a little less horrible, but most importantly, thank you for being my best friends," she continued. "As we leave this stage I want to let you guys know how proud everyone in this room is of each and every one of you and to take that and make it your mission to let everyone know who you are, let it be known you are a leader, let it be known that you are a fighter, and lastly, let it be known that you are a part of the Dodson High School class of 2024. Congratulations."

Next, Dodson High School Valedictorian Sebastian Best was introduced.

"Good evening, everyone," Best said. "It is an incredible honor to stand before you today as the valedictorian of the Dodson Class of 2024."

He said he had been doing a lot of reflecting on his class' journey in preparation for his speech.

"Today we are not only celebrating our academic achievements but all of our achievements that we have made so far in our lives," Best said.

He then pointed back into the past where he and KillEagle-Flansburg were three-legged race champions at the school during elementary field day. He also mentioned playing basketball with Michael Turnsplenty and hoping to be as fast as him on the court.

"If we had a high school field day, Michael and I would surely clean up in a three legged race now, sorry Taya," Best said.

In addition to the things that he said he would miss, Best mentioned a few things that he wouldn't miss including helping make lunch and wash dishes, as well as awkwardly being asked if he and his cousin Kataya were dating.

"Which we are not!" Best said.

He also mentioned a time when his grandmother strong-armed him into picking "Under the Sea," as the school's prom theme.

"There have been so many fun times, sports accolades, mentor days, school movies, games, and too many things to mention," Best said. "One year on our ski trip, I took a couples' engagement photo on top of a mountain and then watched as they skied down. The woman fell and ate it hard."

Best also mentioned the loss of Fox.

"Through everything, I am proud to say that we have persevered," Best said. "We supported each other. We have encouraged each other and lifted each other up. I have never doubted the friendships that we have had within this class.

"Our success is not solely our own," he continued. "We owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to our teachers and the staff here at DHS. They have dedicated themselves to our education, helping us in our personal development and making us not only into good students, but good people as well."

He then thanked the class' families for their unwavering support.

"As we start this new chapter of our lives, we are filled with the excitement and uncertainty of the world outside of the comfort of DHS. It can be scary, but I am confident that we all know what we are doing," Best said.

"This is one of the hardest working, and in my opinion the best class that has ever graduated from Dodson. I might be a little biased, but I do think that we can do anything that we set our minds to."

The event continued with numerous scholarships, a Presentation (of certificates) of the Class of 2028, the DHS Rose Ceremony, a slideshow presentation, Conferring of the Diplomas, and Presentation of the diplomas to the Class of 2024.

Whitewater

On Friday evening, the 17th of May, the enrollment of Whitewater School dropped to seven, as three young ladies graduated from high school, and set forth to make their journey further down the road of life. Ava Hanley, Kendall Scheffelmear and Paige Wasson graduated with honors as the Class of 2024.

The class had selected their motto of "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." They chose the white rose as their flower.

Welcomed to the stage by the pep band playing the processional, Paige Wasson presented the Class Key to the incoming senior class president, Shelbi LaBrie. Superintendent Darin Cummings welcomed the crowd, stating in all of his years as Superintendent he has had "wild classes and loud classes"...but he had never had a "graduating class that was as quiet as this class!" He then introduced the salutatorian, Paige Wasson.

Wasson addressed the crowd and spoke of the community support that is always present in a small town, and the caring and loving atmosphere that makes Whitewater the town it...Whitewater. She attributed her success to her coaches and teachers who not only loved her unconditionally, they taught her to believe in herself and to be independent.

She thanked her parents for their guidance, encouragement and being behind her to push and support her in decisions and actions. Her teachers played a role in her success through the time they spent preparing her for life, for planning trips, and just talking with them as needed.

Her classmates, Hanley and Scheffelmear, were thanked for sticking with her through the years. She encouraged embracing the future, remembering the lessons they learned through their journey through the years together.

Wasson plans to attend college in Billings.

Scheffelmear stated she couldn't believe the time she had waited for so long was finally here...after "three very slow years, my time in Whitewater is nearly over." She thanked teachers for their belief in her, for their individual lessons and teachings, and she thanked her parents, as well.

She said she was looking forward to new faces, new places and friends as well as challenges. She urged the underclassmates to explore new interests and take advantage of new opportunities.

Scheffelmear said "Whitewater has prepared us well and with endless possibilities." She ended with, "...we have worked hard, the best is yet to come."

Mrs. Heidi Cummings recognized the graduates with scholarships: Scheffelmear: Whitewater High School Valedictorian Scholarship - $650, Butch Mayer Memorial Scholarship - $500, Ken Obie Memorial Scholarship - $1,000, Al and Hilda Brown Memorial Scholarship - $250, Big Flat Electric Scholarship - $500, and Dawson Volleyball Athletic Scholarship; Wasson: Whitewater High School Salutatorian Scholarship - $450, Butch Mayer Memorial Scholarship - $500, Ken Obie Memorial Scholarship - $1,000, Whitewater High School Leadership Scholarship - $500, Big Flat Electric Scholarship - $500, Flansaas Memorial Scholarship - $1,000, and Rocky Mountain College Athletic Scholarship - $42,000.

The commencement speaker was Kourtney Simonson, a 2015 graduate of Whitewater, and Rocky Mountain College in Billings. She said, "...jobs and careers can change. In my opinion, what is even more important than figuring out what you want to do, is figuring out who we want to be. Strive to be the best version of yourself you can be regardless of what career path you decide to take."

She encouraged the graduates to "Bee" a good cheerleader, take responsibility, don't just sit on the sideline and expect everyone else to do the work and be able to reap the benefits; to "bee" a positive influence, you never know how much a smile, kind word or act can brighten someones day." Simonson urged being yourself, cherishing memories and stressed mistakes...learning from them and moving forward.

Simonson referred to the book, "Greenlights" by Matthew McConaughley, and shared the green lights, yellow lights and red lights we encounter. Those lights make us who we are today. She told the graduates as they start a their new adventures this fall in South Carolina, Glendive and Billings, in their college years and life after that, to take this perspective with them.

"When it comes to a yellow or red light, keep looking forward, keep working hard."

Miss Samantha Wisher mesmerized the audience with special music; the seniors did their flower presentation.

The Class of 2028 was recognized and received Certificates of Achievement from Allie Olsen, of the Whitewater School Board. Receiving certificates were Rory Green, Samuel Simonson and Gracie Wasson.The three graduates then received their diplomas from Olsen. The seventh grade class served a "Silver Tea" to those in attendance.