Social distancing graduation

RITZVILLE – Thirty-five seniors were recognized in a private ceremony held on the football field Saturday afternoon, June 6.

Graduates walked alongside family members under a red-and-black balloon-festooned archway onto the track, where they received their diploma covers and had their photos taken before standing by banners emblazoned with their senior photos.

Standing far from the crowd, Superintendent Don Vanderholm addressed the graduates.

"I know this isn't what you dreamed of. I guarantee you, 39 years from now you are going to remember this day," Vanderholm said. "And you are going to have a story to tell your children and probably your grandchildren, and maybe your great-grandchildren."

Five seniors achieved co-valedictorian status, and Tamera Wolf was named salutatorian.

Speeches made by the valedictorians were posted online at high noon of graduation day, before the 1 p.m. diploma ceremony.

"On March 13, 2020, my senior class walked the halls of Lind-Ritzville High School for the last time. A virus, known as COVID-19, or the Coronavirus, had stopped the world in its tracks," said Spencer Garing. "Although it wasn't for certain, something in our guts told us, 'This may be it.' I still remember where I was sitting when the loudspeaker came on, and I'm sure my peers do, too. Just like that, the routine was gone. Seeing each other every day, gone. Spring sports, senior prom, that emotional last day of school, all gone."

Gering went on to say the memories of the class being together, growing up together and learning together far outweighed the disappointment.

Calling the Class of 2020 "no stranger to change," Katheran Gingrich said their journey was memorable and "definitely unique, in every sense of the word."

"Even with obstacles from COVID-19, we rose to the challenge, and competed virtually this year; continuing the tradition of excellence," Jessica Heater said. "No matter the circumstances, we have kept our heads up and given our all."

Rachel Nygren pointed out the sense of resiliency the Class of 2020 gained right from the start.

"Attending high school in three different buildings throughout our four years taught us to become resilient to change and to make the best of every situation," Nygren said. "Once senior year finally rolled around, we were ready for the best year of high school yet. But little did we know, that our resilience would be put to the test."

Nygren recounted the disappointments felt as senior prom, spring sports, and attending school for the remainder of the year were all cancelled.

"Our class learned the importance of building relationships along the way. We learned to be together, no matter what the situation was that life threw at us," Nygren said. "We learned the lessons greater than how to write essays and find derivatives. And these are the lessons that will go with us, wherever we decide to go next. Now, we are stronger than we ever thought we could be. And most of all, we learned to be resilient together."

Ellie Gering said while classmates' paths will lead in different directions and their futures will look completely different, one thing will remain the same.

"We will forever, and always, be a Bronco. The amazing school and community that we have become a part of has impacted us in more ways than we can count," Gering said. "I hope that if there's one thing that we can take with us into the future, it's remembering that we always have something to be proud of. A place where we belong. We may go our separate ways, but our roots will remain the same. We will always be together, when it comes to being a Bronco."

"We know that things weren't meant to turn out this way, but despite all of our challenges, we have come to finish in the same way - together. We were born into the crisis of 9-11 and are finishing our first large step into adulthood during the global pandemic of COVID-19. But despite of all this, we've come to finish in the same way - together," Wolf said. "Being seniors is everything and nothing that it was cracked up to be. We never expected to feel the sadness that we have while living our lives. Regardless of all of our differences, we're all ending one chapter of life the same way. Together. Forever a Bronco."

Community members were able to congratulate graduates after the diploma ceremony when members of the Class of 2020, stationed themselves along West Broadway Ave. A parade of cars and well-wishers included a salute from the Ritzville Fire Department.