Seeley-Swan High School 2022 graduates tossing their graduation caps at the end of the ceremony June 5.
Chase Haines welcoming everyone to graduation during his student address. Behind, seated left to right: Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Watson, Seeley-Swan High School Principal Shawn Holmes and Guest Speaker Duane Schlabach.
Valedictorian Aspen Derry walking to her seat during the graduation processional.
Parker Radford presents his mother Valerie a rose during the Presentation of Roses.
SSHS Salutatorian Tegan Mauldin reflects on her time with her peers during her speech while Rowan McClure hold up the cue card "Laugh."
Guest Speaker Duane Schlabach reflects on his experience with education. During his speech, Schlabach cracked off a few puns and jokes something he promised in his acceptance letter that he would keep to a bare minimum. "I may have caught myself in a 'Catch 22' because you've already gown and done it with a clear intent to cap it off at high school graduation."
Jason James walking to his seat during the graduation processional.
Sara Stevenson hugs her mom Aimee Stevenson during the Presentation of Roses.
SEELEY LAKE - With a turn of their tassels and some parting words from Dr. Seuss, 30 Seeley-Swan High School seniors closed a chapter of their academic careers at the school's graduation ceremony Sunday, June 5. The commencement featured some inspirational speeches, a presentation of roses and a senior slideshow.
After SSHS senior Sara Stevenson performed the Star Spangled Banner, senior Chase Haines thanked SSHS faculty and encouraged his peers to keep pursuing their dreams during the 2022 Student Address.
"This ceremony is a milestone in which we celebrate and look back upon our hard work over the past 13 years," Haines said. "As this graduating class transitions into a new and exciting chapter of life, I have just one request for my classmates. Keep spreading good. Remember, go out and see the world in spirit. Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go out into the world and do good."
Guest speaker Duane Schlabach, former Seeley Lake Elementary middle school teacher, also encouraged students to keep working, while providing them with inspiration and advice on how to grow as individuals. Schlabach spoke of his experience with education, including how he never had the opportunity to graduate high school, but with the help of Helen Rich, a pioneer in creating SSHS, gained the courage to pick up a GED study guide.
After cracking off some "Catch 22" puns, Schlabach touched on the three basic characteristics that influence success: knowledge, wisdom and courage.
"I encourage you to become a lifelong learner in the art of living by applying your knowledge, who lived experiences that lead to wisdom and have the courage to look beyond yourself with an openness to new experiences so you can truly know yourself and do what you were born to do," Schlabach said. "In doing so, you will make a difference in the lives of the people you encounter simply by being true to yourself."
After graduates received their diplomas, Salutatorian Tegan Mauldin closed the ceremony with her address. She reflected on her time with her peers and urged them to never quit, drawing inspiration from Dr. Suess's famous book "Oh, The Places You'll Go."
"We've gotten to grow up together, support each other and watch each other become the individuals that we are today," Mauldin said. "Although I wish we could have been together longer, we have still gotten to make an impact on each other's lives and although we have faced a number of challenges in a short amount of time, one thing we've never done is give up."
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