Green Lake class of 2023 celebrates accomplishments (PHOTOS | News

“Competitive.”

That one word was a common theme during the Green Lake High School class of 2023 graduation ceremony Sunday afternoon under the bright sun at the Green Lake Conference Center’s Vesper Circle.

Green Lake High School Principal Cathy Moore noted that competitive nature and drive for excellence can be seen in the class’ accomplishments, which include three Eagle Scouts whose projects continue to serve the community; two Girl Scouts who took trips to Costa Rica and Alaska, respectively; seven state contenders in either athletics, music and forensics; three receiving technical college auto and welding certificates; three early childhood workers; a firefighter who protects and teaches safety to younger students; an international student who spent a year studying abroad; eight International Baccalaureate full-diploma candidates; and five valedictorians.

While Moore questioned what she can say to a class which is “competitive, driven and well on their way to achieving their dreams and goals,” she left it with two pieces of advice: Always go for the win-win and don’t settle.

“Because I know that you’re competitive by nature, I encourage you to be mindful of your opponents in every aspect of your lives,” she said. “If you find yourself in a win-lose situation, where you have crushed your opponent, it is a hollow victory. … I challenge you to be empathetic towards your competitors and recognize the strengths you all share so that when you succeed, everyone succeeds. Helping others to be the best version of themselves for you, too, are the best version of yourself is the ultimate win-win situation; one you can be proud of.”

In terms of not settling, Moore told the 27 graduates of the class of 2023 that she means “don’t passively accept the narrative.”

“Question your world; be curious, demand quality answers,” the principal said. “And finally, be open minded. This is your world: own it. Take responsibility for it. And the best way to do this is to be engaged and not passive; work with people. You will inevitably have new jobs; some of you will go to school again. And all of you will meet and have to work with new people. You have every right to question them and in doing so seek to create a better world with them. I know that it sounds counterintuitive, but don’t be afraid to question yourself as well. … It takes great character in humility to question and challenge yourself to see things from a point of view that you do not historically agree with; to open your mind to something foreign is to open your world to new possibilities.”

The speeches of Green Lake’s five valedictorians ranged in topics, from Carley Chyma noting that the innovative nature of the class will allow it to drive to become the leaders of tomorrow; Ian Sandberg reflecting on the perseverance the class has shown through global turmoil and challenges; Erik Olmen talking about the regrets and lifelong lesson of not wishing the time away, but rather savoring it; Garrett Clark sharing the power of a close-knit community and the impact it has had on the success of the class; to Kaitlin Jacoby expressing gratitude for the teachers, janitors, bus drivers, support staff and everyone associated with the school that has impacted the class.

Other speakers during the graduation ceremony included Ella Hoch and Avery James, who looked back at some of the memories and mischief the class created since beginning 4K in 2009. Former teacher and International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program Coordinator Mary Hunter also reflected on her time spent with the class, which was one of her final ones as a classroom teacher, and the impact the graduates’ friends and families played.

Finally, new School Board President Marty Valasek wished the class well, telling it the story of 650 million people watching Neil Armstrong in 1969 be the first person to step foot on the moon and that while he can say with a large degree of certainty that none of the steps it will take in life will be watched by 650 million people, and that all probability the steps it take won’t be considered great leaps for mankind that they will be important to someone.”

“If you take those steps when life challenges are in front of you, years from now, your children and grandchildren, when they talk about the class of 2023, they will say they ‘all live happily ever after,’” Valasek said.