HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt High School Class of 2025 was reminded Saturday that Humboldt will always be home.
Note: Click here to see additional photos of Saturday’s Humboldt High School senior commencement.
While encouraged to explore higher learning opportunities and the outside world, graduates were reminded that Humboldt will welcome them back with open arms, said Cole Herder, city administrator, during graduation exercises at the HHS Fieldhouse.
“Sometimes we tell our youth to go off and find a better life somewhere else,” Herder said.
They don’t mean it.
Instead, “We hope that with each decision you make that you’ll consider whether Humboldt might be the place for you,” he said.
As a physical reminder, each student received a mailbox with Humboldt and their names imprinted on it. It’s the 13th year of the tradition, “So we’re up to about 5,500 mailboxes by now,” Herder said.
Fifty-one graduates were recognized.
Cassidy Friend and Keith Gomez addressed their classmates.
Friend said that although she has kept a “memory box” of high school milestones, the most important things couldn’t be catalogued.
“It’s been the quiet encouragement from our parents and friends. The unexpected kindness from teachers, the terrible inside jokes that still make us laugh,” that’s been most valuable to her.
“It might feel like we’re closing a chapter with graduation, but these memories will travel with us, reminding us of where we came from, who stood beside us and who believed we could make it even on days we doubted ourselves.
“It’s proof that we’re not starting over, but stepping forward with a box full of valuable lessons,” Friend said.
In his remarks, Gomez started with a light-hearted approach, thanking teachers for “challenging us, believing in us and giving out a lot of extra credit opportunities.”
He also credited the school for teaching him to make good decisions.
“It’s not just about what we can do, but what we choose to do, including those we choose to be our friends, the risks we take, and the issues we choose to stand up for,” he said.
“We are leaving this place with more than just a degree. We are leaving with the freedom to choose our own paths. The world may seem scary at times, but we have been taught to make the choices that matter,” he said.
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