College Place High School celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2024 in a memorable ceremony on June 8, 2024, at 7:00 PM at the College Place High School Hawks Stadium. The event marked the culmination of years of dedication for the 106 graduates who received their diplomas.
The ceremony featured inspiring speeches and heartfelt moments. Ell Neil, a graduating senior, reflected on the mixed emotions of the day: "Today we are all facing a new beginning. We are lost, confused, overwhelmed, and sweaty. Yet, today we embrace change."
Kaylee Smith, another standout graduate, dedicated an original song to the Class of 2024. Her lyrics poignantly expressed the bittersweet nature of graduation, capturing the essence of both farewells and new beginnings. "We are here to say good morning to everything that awaits ahead. We are here to say goodnight to everything that has been," Smith sang, reflecting on the transition from cherished high school memories to the exciting future that lies ahead.
Aaron Middlemas brought a literary touch by quoting J.R.R. Tolkien and reflecting on the journey ahead: "Our lives are ahead of us and now '[we] must follow if [we] can.' There’s so much to do, so much to see and experience, and it’s scary… but also exciting."
Math teacher Trevor Roberts, in his keynote speech, drew parallels between the graduates and beloved Pokémon characters: "You all have been through thirteen different grades with parts of your education being online, hybrid, and with restrictions. Similar to Dragonite, you have been resilient and made it to graduation."
Principal Robert Aguilar celebrated the students' successes and praised the dedication of staff and families: "Tonight, we celebrate you, the Class of 2024. Your encouragement, patience, love, and support have been instrumental in guiding these students to this milestone. You have been challenged, strengthened, and humbled by enduring significant changes and disruptions, yet you have learned to persevere."
The ceremony concluded with the traditional turning of the tassels and a celebratory toss of graduation caps, marking the official transition from students to alumni of College Place High School.
The Class of 2024 becomes the seventh graduating class of College Place High School.