Congratulations to GHS Class of 2018

"Pomp and circumstance. noun. splendid celebration with ceremony and fuss."

The celebration was definitely splendid, filled with plenty of ceremony and a little bit of fuss. On May 27, GHS honored 52 graduating seniors. Among others, proud parents and grandparents, aunties and uncles, coaches and teachers began filing into Scottie Gymnasium, choosing the best seat to watch their graduate receive a much-deserved diploma. The bleachers filled with the nervous and excited chatter of families, fussy babies, and spectators lazily fanning themselves with the provided paper program of the event.

The esteemed panel of district board members, administration and the keynote speaker arrived and took their places on stage. As they settled into their seats, the Glasgow Scottie Concert Band declared the arrival of graduates with the traditional playing of "Pomp and Circumstance."

Following a welcome by Superintendent Bob Connors and recognition of retirees by Mona Amundson, Alex Fransen gave his senior address to the Class of 2018. He set the tone of his speech right from the start as he thanked everybody for coming to the "Middle of Nowhere" to attend the event.

His speech focused on the similarities and differences of those that were graduating and reminisced about events that some of them shared as they grew up together in Glasgow. "From athletes to mathletes, from performers to artists, everybody has their own talent and map," he said to the crowd.

Additionally, Fransen's address was filled with gratitude for the community that he grew up in, stressing his thanks to parents and guardians that tried to help with math assignments. "Thank you for helping with homework, just to figure out they teach math differently now than they did when you learned it," he said.

The commencement speaker for the afternoon was Haylie Shipp, who graduated from GHS in 2003. Shipp owns a retail business in Glasgow and is also a radio personality on KLTZ/KLAN.

Her message to the graduates: Be kind and chase happiness. She emphasized that sometimes you find happiness without getting paid for it. She shared her experience of working for the Northern Ag Network, where she worked for six months, without pay, before being able to launch her career in media broadcasting.

As the ceremony came to a close, the graduates formed a circle on the gym floor and joined together to sing the school song for the last time as a class. For some, the moment was melancholy and brought tears. For others it was joyous and brought cheers. For all, it was the close of a chapter and the opening of a door to the rest of their lives.

Good luck to the Class of 2018 from the entire staff at The Glasgow Courier. We wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors!