With four years of memories behind them, good and bad alike, the Moffat County High SchoolMoffat County High School Class of 2016 had one last group activity Saturday. Class of 2016 had one last group activity Saturday.

Moffat County High School Class of 2016 had one last group activity Saturday.

MCHS graduated 116 seniors this weekend, sending their Bulldogs into the future as adults.

Following the performance of the National Anthem and presentation of American and Colorado flags by the Moffat County Honor Guard, Principal Kelly McCormick and graduate Sheyenne Cromer welcomed the crowd that packed the MCHS gym.

---

---

Following acknowledgment of scholarship recipients, honor students — including valedictorian Morgan Lawton and salutatorian Hannah Walker — and graduates planning to enlist in the military, Bekah Bird and Brittany Young announced the senior class gift: iPad equipment and $500 in funding for the special education department, as well as $2,000 in scholarship money to be given to the MCHS Class of 2020 in memory of their late classmate, Grayden Spears.

Teachers James Neton and John Bolton introduced this year’s recipients of Outstanding Senior Boy and Girl, Neton noting that Allie Dilldine’s contributions to Moffat County ranged from multiple sports, to playing the clarinet, to church devotion, to a masterful carrot cake recipe, now planning to pursue training in elementary education at Colorado Mesa University.

---

---

Bolton likewise honored student Wes Atkin as someone who showed musical prowess as early as middle school and now has progressed to composing and recording his own songs as well as seeking a career path via Colorado School of Mines.

“Our future’s in good hands, ladies and gentleman, with Wes and the other fine young men and women who have grown from those little boys and girls just a few years ago.”

Jake Stewart was tasked with the commencement address but first whipped out a selfie stick to record the moment with his classmates. He went on to say that even when there were moments he and his fellow graduates didn’t know what they were doing at least they didn’t know together.

Before graduates took to the stage to get their diplomas, senior members of the MCHS choir performed an a capella version of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s “In My Life.”

After the sheepskins had been handed out by McCormick and company, the tassels had been turned and the caps tossed and hit the ground, Dilldine took the stage again for the class farewell, hearkening back to kindergarten and the 13 years that have followed.

“Let’s see how far we can go, Class of 2016,” she said.

Outside was chaos as those in the blue and white gowns were swarmed by family and friends ready to talk about their plans and the promise of tomorrow.

For graduate Tanner Hampton, that means the United States Army.

“Well, there’s the education and serving your country,” he said of his reasons for enlisting in the armed forces.

He added that graduation day one of the best memories he expects to have of high school.

“This is probably the most exciting part, working for it, knowing that you were able to do it,” he said.

Brady Springer and Kaitlyan Reed also marveled at how fast everything has gone.

“I’ll just remember all the friendships I’ve made,” Springer said.

Both Springer and Reed will attend University of Wyoming in the fall, each studying agriculture business and Reed also focusing on animal science.

Still, they won’t be forgetting the people from Moffat County any time soon, Reed, particularly the ones with whom they graduated.

“We’re really a tight-knit class,” Reed said.

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com.Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com.