Class of 2023 urged to embrace change
by Marianne Gasaway
Members of Clear Lake High School’s Class of 2023 were challenged to embrace change while not forgetting the experiences and people which supported their learning.
One-hundred six students were presented with diplomas at commencement exercises held Sunday in the CLHS gymnasium. The ceremony included special music by the CLHS Chamber Singers and senior choir members. School Board President Chyrl Bergvig addressed the class and awarded diplomas. Principal Chris Murphy handled the presentation of awards.
“As members of the 2023 graduating class, we have already passively and directly experienced the impacts of both positive and negative change. However, we are about to experience one of the biggest shifts in our young lives. The entry into adulthood,” said Annika Nelson, one of two student speakers chosen for the ceremony.
Nelson, who plans to attend the University of Stony Brook to study Marine Science, explained she moved to North Iowa with her family from the Chicago area as a sixth grader. They relocated again in the midst of the pandemic and chose the Clear Lake School District as the best place for Annika to complete her high school education.
“Over the past three years that change opened up lots of opportunities,” she said, noting she experienced State basketball and golf, conference championships and State speech. “I never would have found my passion for speech or how much I enjoy golf if I had not been open to trying something new and different. I encourage all of you to keep trying and learning in hopes that you maintain the youthful chose of passion… There is always time to make and embrace change.”
Glenn Schaefer, who is headed to NIACC in the fall, kept his senior speech lighthearted.
“We’ve survived four long years of classes, tests, and drama-filled social lives. Now we get to leave this place and enter the real world, which, let’s be honest, is just high school with more bills,” joked Schaefer. Then the 2023 Homecoming king turned a bit more serious. “Let’s talk about the real heroes of this ceremony— our parents. We couldn’t have done it without you, even though we pretended like we could. And, of course, we can’t forget about our teachers. Thank you for inspiring us, for challenging us and for reminding us that we’re not as smart as we think we are. Your patience and dedication have not gone unnoticed, even if we didn’t always show it.”
