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Seniors at Cromwell-Wright celebrated their departure from high school during commencement on Friday, May 26. With a graduating class of 17 students, the celebration was filled with their close comradery through gentle teasing and stories of their many adventures, good and bad, during their high school experience.

Held in the gymnasium, rows of seats were filled with supportive friends and family, spilling into the bleachers behind. Led by superintendent Nathan Libbon, the seniors walked with poise, taking their place at the front stage.

"In the end it does not matter how much money you make, how many degrees you might earn, or awards you could win," Libbon said. "The thing that matters most is how many lives you touch and the positive legacy that you leave behind."

Valedictorian Liam Schoenberg recalled some of the struggles he and his classmates had during their 13 years together and called out his teachers' unique personalities. He remembered as a freshman, wishing to be a senior.

"Now that that moment has finally come, I take it back." Schoenberg said. "Take advantage of all high school has to offer, as it passes too quickly." He closed his speech by reminding everyone that graduation was truly a beginning to the rest of their future.

Edward Schulstrom

Liam Schoenberg delivers a valedictorian speech Friday.

After the Cromwell-Wright choir's performance of American Authors' "Best Day of My Life," the guest speaker took the stage. Cromwell history and social studies teacher Marshal Thompson took a humorous tone at first, eliciting many bursts of laughter from the audience. His speech took a serious turn when he spoke of how his recent entry into fatherhood has affected his view of teaching. He advised the seniors that they are the only ones in control of what they think and how they feel.

"You, and only you, can control you," Thompson said. "Some of you have faced hardship, and all of you are going to face more. That's just life, but your response to that hardship is what defines you."

The gym wall made a perfect canvas for the slideshow near the end of the ceremony. Using a projector, the seniors watched a slideshow of pictures offering a glimpse of their experiences from babies to their time together in high school. This final activity transitioned into the diploma ceremony. With the flip of a tassel from Libbon, they took their seats once more as newly graduated adults.