Sidney Celebrates Graduation

Sidney High School's small but talented Class of 2024 held its commencement exercises on Sunday afternoon.

Co-valedictorians for the class of 69 graduates included Hailey Holzworth, Aren Larson, Ella Norby and Abigail Schilling. Salutatorian was Corben Holler.

Holzworth and Norby shared the stage for their valedictorian speech. They used lessons learned from the BeReal photo sharing app as a theme for their presentation. Their advice included embrace the unexpected, perfection is over-rated, laugh at yourself and be honest. They ended their speech by thanking those who supported them and being grateful that their dads keep their eyes on them from above.

Larson said that he had great high school memories including in sports. He urged others to chase their dreams and not to give up.

Schilling noted that the class' motto is "the pen is in your hand, the rest is still unwritten." She said the graduates' diplomas are their pens. She said that graduating from high school is a big accomplishment but is only the beginning, because the talents of the class go far beyond that.

Holler urged the class to be willing to take risks in their lives. He explained taking risks isn't about being reckless but is about being brave. He said they shouldn't be afraid of new opportunities. He also urged students to appreciate where they came from.

The class memorial will be used to purchase new, updated furniture for the high school library.

The class included Makayle Anderson, Avery Averett, Kaylee Bahls, Marcquee-Jayne Berg, Luke Bergeron, Sydney Bertrand, Seth Beyerle, Dalton Bouchard, Brooklyn Boyer, Tayten Bright, Kenneth Brost, Dalton Brown, Trinity Bryant, Czyra Calderon, Tanner Carpenter, Jayda Christensen, Braylon DiFonzo, Ethan Dotson, Cloey Eide, Drew Ellingson, Ethan Erickson, Dennis Fine, Mary Gasmen, Koda Glanton, Jacqueline Martinez, Maude Hammerly, Ryder Hansen, Braden Harris, Cayden Heck, Corben Holler, Hailey Holzworth, Kevin Hutzenbiler, Michael Jorstad, Savanna Juarez, Jonathan King, Amaiya Kirn, Caleb Kleinke, Aren Larson, Eric Lillemon Jr., Cooper McNally, Lexi McShane-Rang, Hunter Morse, Kara Nay, Maci Nelson, Ella Norby, Riley O'Donnell, Shaniah Painter, Kayson Radke, Gavin Reese, Levi Reidle, Katrina Ridl, Kimberly Sartin, Marett Schieber, Abigail Schilling, Xander Schlothauer, Lucy Sommerfeld, MaKayla Sparks, William Sparks, Corbin Steinbeisser, Benjamin Stevens, Daniel Stevens, Jayden Suko, Parker Syth, Lily Tranquill, Ireland Vandall, Braden Verhasselt, Chace Waters, Theresa Wick and Hayden Wiidanen.