CHS Class of 2021 moves on

by Todd Brooks

The threatening rain clouds never led to a downpour, allowing the Comanche High School Class of 2021 to enjoy its graduation ceremony in front of family and friends at a packed football field last Friday night.

Taylor Myers provided the welcome, which was followed by the CHS choir singing the National Anthem. Gage Allie and Kanyn Allen provided the invocation.

Class president Bailor Harris welcomed those in attendance before yielding the stage for valedictorian and salutatorian addresses.

“In our class, we are not all super close besties, but I can take pride in the fact that we can all get along and there is no drama between us,” said Ryleigh Woody, who was the first to speak. “We’ve had many great times with each other, especially in the these last few weeks with all the fun we had.”

Many of the speeches included thanks to parents, friends and teachers. Some provided a few laughs with a walk down memory lane. Others gave inspirational messages to meet the next challenges in life.

“As important as your journey is, without a destination you’ll never know when you’ve arrived,” said Gracelyn Yates. “Put simply - you’ll never get what you want if you’re unsure about what that even is in the first place.”

There were 14 speeches in all. Along with Woody and Yates, there were Kaci Stonerock, Gage Allie, Jordan Kirkland, Marlon Banner, Breanna McCauley, Kanyn Allen, Lake Epperson, Alesha Zibbell, Montana Welch, Carly Gordon, Kinley Rendon and Taylor Myers.

High school principal Steve Dunham then made the Mr. and Miss CHS presentations to Reece Middick and Rendon.

After the presentation of diplomas, the seniors moved their tassels from one side to the other signifying their completion of high school.

Shayson Hodges closed out the ceremony with a benediction before the seniors formed a circle and threw their mortarboards in the air.