During her speech at the school's graduation ceremony, SSHS 2021 Valedictorian Klaire Kovatch talks about the next chapter she and her fellow classmates are about to enter and how their choices in life will determine what direction they head.
Guest speaker Sandee Cahoon offers words of encouragement to graduating seniors on behalf of her late husband Wayne during her speech. She told students to follow through with whatever passions they seek out. "He would ... like me to tell you today, 'never give up,'" she said.
Graduating senior Kess Victor sings "The Star-Spangled Banner" to open up SSHS's 2021 graduation ceremony.
SSHS graduating seniors line up to receive their diplomas.
Salutatorian Jordan Johnson talks about perseverance in the face of adversity during her address at SSHS' graduation ceremony.
Guest speaker Sandee Cahoon hugs Rose Mercer while handing her a cookie at SSHS's graduation ceremony. During her speech, Cahoon encouraged the graduates to do what they are good at, "And I'm good at making cookies."
SSHS students pick up roses to give to their parents and guardians during their graduation ceremony's Presentation of Roses.
SSHS graduating seniors toss their hats in the air in celebration of their achievements.
SEELEY LAKE - Seeley-Swan High School seniors closed a new chapter of their lives as they celebrated their achievements at the school's graduation ceremony Sunday, June 6.
During his opening speech, Principal Kellen Palmer acknowledged the challenges the 19 students had faced in recent years.
"This is a 13 year culmination of hard work," he said. "The last few years have been well, unusual to say the least. Between the way last spring ended and then the uncertainty surrounding this fall, it's been far from normal. But you guys have made it a lot easier. ... They followed all the new, weird, sometimes hard to comprehend rules and they didn't complain. So I'd just like to tell each one of you personally, thank you, and good luck."
Salutatorian Jordan Johnson also addressed how perseverance played a role in their collective development during her speech.
"We will always remember our senior year as the best and maybe even one of the worst years of our lives," she said. "Through it all, we have faced adversity in a different way than anyone would have imagined stepping through the doors four years ago. We have matured, we have grown into our independence, and most importantly, we've gained confidence within ourselves."
This year's special guest speaker was Sandee Cahoon who spoke in honor of her husband, Wayne, who passed last September. During her address, she encouraged the graduates to push forward in spite of struggles.
"I would like to say to you today what I think Wayne would have said to you today," she said. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart. ... And he also would have said, 'Whatever you're good at, do a whole lot of it.' ... He would also absolutely want me to tell you today that God is love and He loves you. There is nothing you could do that would make Him love you more or love you less."
During her address, Valedictorian Klaire Kovatch expressed to her peers the importance of choices in life.
"If there's one thing my parents instilled in me, it is a desire to make decisions that make you happy," she said. "The choices you make, my father told me, can lead you to a happy life or a miserable one. ... If you're too scared, too passive to work for a change in your life, you're choosing to be unsatisfied. Decide for yourself how you're going to find contentment and strive to make it happen."
Graduates were recognized for their academic achievements and scholarships during the ceremony.
Academic Achievements
Cumulative 4.0 GPA: Bethany Hoag; Jordan Johnson and Klaire Lynn Kovatch
Cumulative 3.5-3.99 GPA: Eric Lorentz; Rose Mercer and Kess Victor
Cumulative 3.0-3.49 GPA: Edward Aldeen; Aspen Conley; Quinlan Ream and Cody Stevenson
National Honor Society members: Bethany Hoag; Jordan Johnson; Klaire Kovatch; Eric Lorentz; Rose Mercer and Kess Victor
Scholarships and Honors by graduate:
Aspen Conley: Blackfoot Communications Scholarship $1,000
Bethany Hoag: Blackfoot Communications Scholarship $1,000; Healthcare Scholarship from Foundation for Community Health $1,000; Southern Utah University Presidents Non-Residents Scholarship $79,288; Federal SEOG Grant $200; Federal Pell Grant $6,495; Loving Hearts Scholarship $1,500; Lions Club Service Scholarship $1,000; Lions Club Merit Scholarship $250
Jordan Johnson: University of Montana Merit Scholarship $3,000 per year
Klaire Kovatch: Blackfoot Communications Scholarship $1,000; Grizzly Claw Scholarship $1,050; CSU Athletic Scholarship $34,702 per year; Loving Hearts Scholarship $1,500; CSU Honors Scholarship $1,000; Federal Pell Grant $6,495; Federal SEOG Grant $1,500; WUE $10,000; Lions Club William Kimble & John Cullen Memorial Scholarship $1,000
Eric Lorentz: Montana State Premier Scholarship $1,500
Rose Mercer: Academic All-State Basketball; Academic All-State Track and Field; University of Montana Academic Achievement Scholarship $2,500 per year; Montana's STEM Scholarship $1,000 first year, $1,500 second and third years, $2,000 fourth year
Cody Stevenson: Grizzly Claw Scholarship $1,050; Lions Club Merit Scholarship $250
Kess Victor: Clearwater Credit Union Scholarship $1,000; Missoula Rotary $500; Parkside Credit Union $1,100; Blackfoot Communications Scholarship $500; Alpine Artisans Scholarship $1,000; Cliff Nelson Memorial Scholarship $400; Anonymous donor scholarship $1,000 per year
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