ELLSWORTH – “Yes, it snowed on graduation day. It kind of sums up the year.”

Superintendent Barry Cain began the Ellsworth High School graduation ceremony on Friday, May 28 with this anecdote. He pointed out that the Class of 2021 especially has been resilient against everything thrown in its path.

“We cannot and should not discount the challenges they faced,” Cain said. “We need to focus on how they faced these challenges and how they came through difficult times as better people.”

The successes they had should be cherished, rather than the difficulties, Cain added.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not prevent the Class of 2021 from giving back to the community. Even with COVID, seniors put more than 7,000 hours into their service learning programs. This not only shows initiative and perseverance, but leadership, Cain said.

“In today’s society especially, leadership is needed in many areas,” he proclaimed.

The ceremony also honored the Ellsworth Community School District Teacher of the Year, Kelly Ebbens, a second-grade teacher at Ellsworth Elementary School. Susan Mitchell, of the ECSD Foundation, lauded Ebbens’ ability to adapt this year and keep her students calm, connected, engaged and on-track.

“This year’s parents never met her face-toface this year,” Mitchell said. “She is an immeasurable asset to EES.” “This truly touches my heart that I’ve touched someone so much,” Ebbens said. “This is not a job you can do alone.”

Salutatorian Sophia Vogel’s speech, titled “Dare to Dream,” encouraged her classmates to not shy away from ambitions or dreams, no matter how unattainable they might seem.

“We can evolve and change, just like our dreams,” Vogel said.

Even when you’re hit by walls of responsibility and adversity that you never expected or saw coming, she added.

“Do not be afraid to see things through,” Vogel said. “Instead of slowing down when you see a roadblock, run faster.”

Salutatorian Brianna Giese said although the Class of 2021 will forever be classified a “COVID class,” this is not all the class should be remembered for.

She listed class accomplishments, including the 2020 undefeated football season, students who wrote and directed their own play, Autumn Radkey-Earney breaking a 25-year-old school basketball scoring record, the dance team’s state awards, Lydia Cole’s global achievement certificate, the founding of the Panther Press newspaper, and the innovations of the Fab Lab, led by Carter Peterson and Ryan Huron.

Accomplishments not quite as grand, though memorable in their own way, were an infamous class protest of the “minimal passing time” at Ellsworth Middle School and breaking the record for the most missing assignments, Giese laughed.

“Our class is undefeatable and thrives on creativity and change,” Giese said.

She urged her classmates to continue to be trailblazers.

“Don’t be afraid to set the world on fire, because from the ashes we will rise,” Giese said.

Valedictorian Cecelia Groh told a story about learning the dreaded back-float when she was five years old. It was something she couldn’t do, but perseverance and determination allowed her to finally tackle the task. Having a little bit of courage can allow you to do great things.

“I have witnessed my classmates accomplish incredible acts of courage,” Groh said. “Our class is defined by our collective character.”

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Salutatorian Sophia Vogel’s speech “Dare to Dream” inspired her fellow students to not shy away from ambitions or dreams, to see things through.

Valedictorian Cecelia Groh spoke to her classmates May 28, basing her address off a quote by Winston Churchill.

The trio of Desirae Peterson, Kailtyn Peterson and Carter Peterson process at the EHS graduation ceremony on Friday, May 28 at Fuller Symes Field.

Cera Dunn is greeted by EHS Principal Mark Stoesz as she steps onstage to receive her diploma on May 28 at EHS’ graduation ceremony.

Ellsworth Community School District Teacher of the Year Kelly Ebbens addresses the audience at the EHS graduation ceremony Friday, May 28. Ebbens teaches second grade at Ellsworth Elementary School.

Salutatorians Sophia Vogel and Brianna Giese and valedictorian Cecelia Groh march in the Ellsworth High School graduation processional at Fuller Symes Field on Friday, May 28.

Members of the EHS Vocal Jazz Choir performed “I Lived” to a thunderous round of applause on Friday, May 28. Jolene Schultz takes a turn with a solo during the rendition.