(Pavillion, WY) – “I’m so proud of you, son!” rang out from a tearfully happy mother as Natasha Bedingfield’s 2004 smash hit ‘Unwritten‘ turned into a group singalong while the Wind River High School class of 2025 departed the gymnasium, diplomas in hand.
Each of the 38 graduating students were honored with a few words about their accomplishments and future plans. Loud cheers erupted as goals of college and entering the work-force were announced. Darion Perry received a standing ovation when it was declared that he would be enlisting into the United States Marine Corps.
Principal, Justin Walker began the ceremony by thanking the class for the memories that they’ve shared together. “You’ve made this school proud” he read. “We celebrate you, not just for graduating high school, but for the people you’ve become.”
A few members of the class of 2025 performed a rendition of graduation favorite, ‘Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)’ by Green Day.
Attentive students then listened to commencement speaker, Tera Cottrill. The mathematics instructor explained that the group of graduates included some of her very first students as an 8th grade teacher in 2021. Cottrill shared an anecdote with the audience about several of those same students organizing a “surprise camping trip” recently…on her lawn.
“We’ve been learning together and growing together for the last four and a half years,” she shared. Noting that she watched students evolve from freshmen to, “responsible young adults,” and that seeing many find their passions over the last four years was very rewarding.
Class Salutatorian Natalie Walker delivered her speech as if it was a letter to her “freshman-self.” She wished she would have had the chance to tell herself to worry less, “there’s no reason to be nervous” she said. “Continue to care about your school work, it gets harder but it never stops mattering. Pay more attention to people’s every day stories, that’s where the magic is. Take every opportunity to thank your teachers and coaches and be involved in everything you can.”
Valedictorian Gracie Collver also shared some heart-felt words. “To the teachers and community members who believed in us, even when we didn’t believe in ourselves, thank you.” Collver lightened the mood by sharing stories about a getting stuck inside an elevator in Sheridan and long bus rides filled with singing, dancing and laughing.
Festivities were concluded with the ‘Honor Song’ from Fremont County’s Little Brave Singers and Principal Walker’s official presentation of the class.
Class Flower – White Tiger Lily
Class Song – ‘Unwritten’ by Natasha Bedingfield
Class Motto – “The tassel is worth the hassle”
