The Class of 2021 bid farewell to Prescott High School Friday, May 28. With the entrance and exit both in tune to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” the just under two-hour ceremony took place in the high school gym, with Principal Josh Fiege providing the welcome to guests, faculty, and finally the graduates themselves.

“At this time, I am extremely pleased to present to you the Class of 2021,” Fiege said to graduates in Cardinal-colored grad gowns.

The Prescott High School Choir then sang the national anthem, followed by three choral selections. Before long it was into the 2021 Commencement Address by Fiege.

“Tonight is the recognition of the culmination of not only our efforts but also the community’s efforts,” he said.

Fiege then asked the crowd, “What do you say to a class that’s been through so much?”

Later on, co-valedictorians Sophia Lebakken and Isabella Lenz had some thoughts to share on the matter.

“I want to start by saying congratulations to the Class of 2021,” Lebakken said. “Twelve short years ago we began our journey to this very day.”

She brought up the Rascal Flatts song “Life is a Highway,” saying it was a “remarkably relevant” message.

“Until today, we have all driven the same route that has led us to where we are at this exact moment,” she said.

Acknowledging the obstacles the class had faced, Lebakken said that through it all the class had “supported each other during hardships, and grown closer together as a family.”

Through their final year they had grown, in spite of struggles like those brought on by COVID.

“We see our struggles as an opportunity to grow both as individuals, and a united group,” she went on. “We shed our expectations of a glamorous final year and accepted what we were given. Together we have matured as adults.”

Lenz picked up where Lebakken had left off.

“As Sophia said, it is an honor to be able to stand here today,” Lenz said.

Sharing that she had brainstormed of different ways to give a speech, Lenz settled on one.

“What better story is there to tell than one of our own class?” she asked. “The truth is that the 17 or 18 years of our lives can tell a better story than anything else. So, let’s began where the story first began,” she said. “Back to elementary school.”

Recounting the common path the class had taken, Lenz led her classmates through various memories, such as the Wolfpack, playing kickball at recess, along with friends made.

“At those moments we were blind to the struggles the world would present,” she said.

Nonetheless, it was in those moments that the Class of 2021 had begun shaping its own path. In middle school, they had started to open their eyes. Persevering through the pandemic, before long it was time to graduate and leave Prescott High for the world. They had finally made it. Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

Photo by John McLoone.

Photos by John McLoone.

Photo by John McLoone.

Photo by John McLoone.

Above, Sophie Tibayan was featured in the choral selection, Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide during the commencement ceremony. Receiving diplimas and a handshake from Prescott School Board member Steve Sizemore were Grace Carlson (pictured center) and Macy Cleasby at right.

Co-valedictorian Sophia Lebakken congratulated her classmates at Prescott High School for graduating, noting how the class has grown and matured over the years.

Co-valedictorian Isabella Lenz looked back at the path she and her classmates took to get to Prescott High School’s graduation in her address Friday night.