Fifteen seniors at Wolf River Lutheran High School were lifted up and encouraged by an array of speakers at their graduation ceremony May 16.
Valedictorian Julia Young was among the first.
“We made it. Now, we’re walking out with a better understanding of who we are,” she said. “Not perfect, not finished, but stronger, wiser and more ready than we think. That didn’t happen because everything was easy. It happened because it wasn’t.”
She recited the poem “Footprints in the Sand” by Mary Stevenson, and expanded on salutatorian Joshua Lange’s comments about learning from mistakes.
“That doesn’t mean everything thing will be easy,” she said. “It doesn’t mean we won’t face challenges, but it does mean our lives have purpose. It means that even in a world that feels uncertain, we can move forward with hope. Maybe that’s what our class is meant to bring to the world right now. Not perfection, not having all the answers, but hope.”
Lange talked about always seeming to be second best, which he said was OK with as long as he knew he tried his best. It might be disappointing to be No. 2, but positive things come from that, too.
“Every failure that you have, there is a lesson to be learned. God has a plan for you. God planned for me to mess up so he can lift me up at my lowest point,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to screw up. Just make sure you learn a thing or two after it.”
Sarah Reichle, who directed the choir to sing two songs at the ceremony, was also the guest speaker.
“Graduates, wherever you go next, don’t forget where your life comes from,” she said, barely able to conceal tears. “We can’t wait to see where God leads you next.”
Reichle encouraged them to put their best foot forward and offer hope to those around them.
“Why should we live as children of light?” she said. “Because the world is watching you. People are searching for hope and joy and peace and truth, and whether you realize it or not, people are looking at you to see where those things are found.”
Wolf River Lutheran High School seniors, from left, Julia Young, Kaylee Witt, Ben Swaer, Lane Schmoll and Wilhelmina Reichle listen to an array of speakers at the May 16 graduation ceremony.(Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Julia Young speaks to her classmates at the May 16 graduation ceremony at Wolf River Lutheran High School. Young was the class valedictorian. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
