Class of 2023 graduates

RITZVILLE – An hour before commencement began on Saturday, June 3, friends and family of 25 Lind-Ritzville High School graduates streamed into Gilson Gymnasium.

Students in the foyer handed out programs, and attendees took seats in 14 rows of folding chairs stretched out on the basketball court.

Other visitors sat high on bleachers bordering the gym floor.

A red carpet extended from the back of the gym to a wooden podium decorated with the signature Bronco icon. Music stands and bass drums showed where the middle-high school band would take its place at the back wall.

The keynote speaker and administrators wore ties. Others dressed casually in shorts, jeans, T-shirts, flowered dresses, khaki slacks and caps bearing farming logos.

Unlike some previous graduation ceremonies here, the room temperature remained comfortable, never forcing attendees to pull out handkerchiefs to wipe away sweat.

There were handshakes and hugs, laughs and chatter. Children carried bouquets. Gray-headed elders balanced on canes as they maneuvered to their seats.

Wearing a gray pullover and red bow tie, Thomas Pulliam - mathematics teacher and senior class adviser - flowed through the room, directing, organizing, working to ensure the ceremony flowed seamlessly.

The band arrived at 1:45, led by director Jennifer York, and at two o'clock the band struck up "Pomp and Circumstance" followed by the national anthem. Two-by-two, the graduates marched on the red carpet to chairs set on bleachers behind the podium.

High School Principal Kevin Terris shared opening remarks. Athletes were honored and club awards recognized. Many seniors were praised for earning college credits while still in high school.

Fifteen minutes into the program, Class of 2023 Salutatorian Raegan Snider told anecdotes about her classmates, many of whom had been attending classes together since grade school.

She concluded, "Thank you, Lind-Ritzville, for giving us a place to succeed."

Although acoustics in the gym were not optimal, attendees appeared to enjoy the talks.

Following Snider, three class valedictorians - Hunter Cameron, Taylor Galbreath and David Hinkle - shared the podium. In addition to class anecdotes, their speeches reflected on the graduates' past, present and future.

Ms. Galbreath's speech, in particular, emphasized the "gift of the present."

School counselor Kayla Walker then recognized students who had been given scholarships. She noted that various organizations had granted graduates more than 50 awards totaling $518,789.

Social studies teacher Bryce Court gave the keynote address. His message emphasized "exuding compassion" as the pathway to meaningful and lasting happiness.

"You can always earn more money and buy more things," he said. "But one thing should be more precious than silver and gold: your time. I implore you to give it away meaningfully."

Court's speech was followed by closing remarks from graduate Hunter Dinkins, awarding of diplomas and formal certification of the class by district Superintendent Donald Vanderholm.

Graduates from the Lind-Ritzville High School class of 2023 then marched down the center aisle to shouts, applause and flashing cell phones.