It’s fitting that the Class of 2024 motto is “Bend, Don’t Break” as this group of graduating seniors endured all manner of changes, heartbreak, and struggle on their path to a senior year filled with high expectations and achievement.
The graduation ceremony on June 2 represented a culmination of 12 years of hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to being a St. Clair Cyclone as 65 students accepted their diplomas–21 seniors received Distinguished Honor marks while 14 received Honor marks for meeting certain GPA requirements. Principal Bosshart gave his final goodbyes and one last lecture to the senior class and provided heartfelt messages to the students, “I can never express enough gratitude for what you as a class have done for me and this school district.” Superintendent Collins also gave praise to the graduating class, their parents, and even a huge thank you to Bosshart for 18 years of service to the district.
Two students were featured as speakers in Blake Sorenson and Gwen Stopka, and both spoke on their experiences at St. Clair, specifically highlighting the togetherness and camaraderie they shared with their classmates during this final leg of the journey. Stopka also gave a brief moment of remembrance for a fallen classmate in Gabi Hebl, who was honored with her own reserved seat alongside her seniors in a touching memorial. Former Cyclone teacher Robert Ziegler gave a commencement address that spoke on this Class’ ability to adapt and overcome while maintaining a calm and collected demeanor. Before the diplomas were handed out, Bosshart offered one final nugget of wisdom for the graduating class, “Of course, hard work and determination got you all to this point, but I want you to be the spark that inspires hope in a world that needs kindness right now…it can make a huge difference.”
Besides a tumble down the stairs from a particular student, the ceremony capped off with a collective throwing of the graduation caps to symbolize the end of a 12-year journey for these Cyclone seniors. With a class that featured incredible athletes like Steph Cink, Jacob Schimek, Savannah Heinbaugh, and Levi Thompson to those who excelled in academics and the arts like Evelyn Zeldenrust, Gavin Eischens, and Paige Daly, it was a truly exceptional year for the Class of 2024 at St. Clair. Congratulations to all seniors!
