Plains grads ready for their futures

The Plains High School Class of 2022 received their diplomas on Sunday. The 31 graduates gathered in the high school gymnasium with family, friends and staff to celebrate their graduation.

Superintendent Thom Chisholm pointed out a designated seat left empty to honor the memory of former classmate Broxton Heider, a former classmate who passed away in 2020.

The students chose teacher Evelyn Laws for their commencement speaker. Laws taught the seniors their freshman, sophomore and junior years, and now teaches in Ronan. Chisholm said the class chose Laws for her dedication to the students and her exceptionally high expectations for her students.

"This class has been stressing me out since I met them as freshmen," Laws joked, then told them "This is the last lecture I'll deliver to you." She told the audience about teaching the students spoken word poetry, and then recited a poem she first wrote with the class. She told the students to be proud of themselves. "You were the class who made it hard to stay, and the class that made it hard to leave."

The graduating class was represented by two salutatorians and two valedictorians. Salutatorian Grace Horton told her classmates that they must all face reality. "There is a place for everyone in the world after graduation." She also thanked Carl Benson, who is retiring after this year, calling him "a dedicated and valued teacher for many years" at Plains. Fellow salutatorian Aubrey Tolloch told the class to not procrastinate. "Be aware the teachers care about you," she said. "School isn't just a nightmare, it's a place to grow."

Valedictorian Adelle Ercanbrack told the class to appreciate how far they've come and referenced a song from the movie The Hobbit called "The Last Goodbye." She then sang the song to her classmates, accompanied by classmate Hailee Steinebach on the guitar. Madelyn Madden, the other valedictorian, recognized the class for their perseverance through challenges. "Tough situations build tough people in the end," she said before listing off a characteristic describing each of her classmates. She also thanks each teacher, calling educators heroes.

Two students were presented with the Plains High School C.L.A.S.S. Scholarship. Students earn the scholarship with their citizenship, leadership, activities, service to school and scholarship. Christopher Jones and Hailee Steinebach were the 2022 recipients. Chisholm also recognized Shilo Griffin, who will be joining the United States Marine Corp after high school.