‘A new adventure’: Moffat County graduation marks change, growth for 97 students
Though she had already moved across the country, gotten married and more or less said farewell to her life as a high school student, Karmen Hayes proudly donned the white cap and gown to join her fellow Bulldogs in the final moment they’d all share together Saturday morning.
“I just couldn’t leave my class,” she smiled.
Moffat County High School graduated 97 seniors in its annual graduation ceremony, a transition into the adult years, be it career, military service or staying in academia for college or beyond.
Karmen already had a jump on adult life last summer when she tied the knot with fellow MCHS alumnus Jay Hayes. Finishing high school in December and most recently living in California with a career plan to become a massage therapist, she still wanted to return to Craig to walk the stage with the same people with whom she grew up and learned alongside for more than a decade.
Another person also played a part in the decision.
“I really wanted to come back for my mom,” she said, motioning to mother Myndi Christopher. “She’d cry if I didn’t.”
Parents and extended family packed the bleachers of the MCHS gym as grads filed in, and master of ceremonies Kaylynn Haefs introduced the color guard with the national anthem provided by the Moffat County band.
Kaylee Durham gave the welcome address, followed by guidance counselor Paula Duzik acknowledging scholarship recipients totaling more than $50,000 in funding from local sources.
Student Council members McKenzie Aguirre and Jessica Johnson announced the class gift, funding for the school’s outdoor amphitheater for future students to continue to enjoy.
Coaches and teachers Todd Trapp and Kip Hafey took the stage to present the Outstanding Senior awards.
In announcing Outstanding Senior Boy Riley Allen, Trapp pointed to Allen’s consistency in running and classroom and his love of kayaking with a river analogy from Jeff Rennicke regarding the flow of life: “There is no rushing a river. When you go there, you go at the pace of the water and that pace ties you into a flow that is older than life on this planet. Acceptance of that pace, even for a day, changes us, reminds us of other rhythms beyond the sound of our own heartbeats.”
“When running the river of life, this young man will no doubt continue to be successful,” Trapp said.
Hafey couldn’t help but get choked up talking about Outstanding Senior Girl Mattie Jo Duzik, counting salutatorian among her long list of honors in the past year.
“We love you, MJ, for all the memories you’ve given us,” he said. “I want you to know how incredibly proud we are of you, for who you are and what you stand for.”
Providing the commencement address was valedictorian John T Peroulis, speaking of graduates’ capability and duty to change the world, starting at home.
“Moffat County has taught us in hope of growing and developing in the near future, and we will play a key role in that future,” he said.
Before the presentation of diplomas, the MCHS choir sang Z. Randall Stroope’s “Omnia Sol (Let Your Heart Be Staid),” which included several graduates.
“I’m so glad I got to sing with my choir one last time,” said DeVante Moore-Johnson, the lone senior boy to join in the performance.
Once the sheepskins were all passed out, the caps tossed in the air and wild applause died down, the farewell address came from William Monsonnec.
The exchange student affectionately known as “Frenchy” spoke of his delight to be able to participate in the tradition with his American comrades as “a day unlike any other” due to all that led up to it.
“It marks the end of a period that we were lucky enough to share,” he said. “On the other hand, it is marking the first day of the rest of our lives — a new adventure.”
Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com.
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