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HUMBOLDT — The Class of 2023 created its own luck by taking advantage of the opportunities that came their way.
Humboldt High School’s class speakers Maddox Johnson and Morgan Sterling shared their perspectives on luck, chance, opportunities and loss during Saturday’s graduation ceremony.
Sterling took the stage first to talk about how being part of a competitive class pushed her to better herself.
Some faced particularly difficult challenges, she said.
“Some of us have made it through difficult times, whether that be losing a loved one, failing a class or learning life lessons the hard way,” she said.
“For those who have lost someone close to them, you are the strongest of us all. We have come all this way, and I believe our hard work and determination to grow will shine through.”
Johnson spoke about opportunities, and in particular about how Career and Technical Education classes have given even more opportunities to students to pursue a wider variety of career options. He thanked teachers, administrators and others who had the foresight to create those programs.
“I’m sure that many futures have changed and became something more valuable to a lot of my classmates,” Johnson said.
“I want the CTE program and high school administration to know we appreciate all the help and kindness that has been given to our class and allowed us to become who we are today.”
It takes both sides to create opportunity, he said. Students have to choose not only to work hard, but to create circumstances that lead to more opportunities.
“The real compliment comes from people who have called our class lucky. Luck is something relative to your environment. I believe our class prospered and allowed luck to take our side with the environment we created.
“The message I want you to remember is when the odds are against you, you can change those odds and give yourself a little more luck.”
SEVERAL AWARDS were given during the ceremony. They included:
Lions Club award, recognizing boys who earned a 4.0 grade point average: Maddox Johnson and Trey Sommer
Lions Club scholarship: Leah Mueller
G.A.L.S.-F.C.E. award, recognizing girls who earned a 4.0 GPA: Chloe Daniels, Leah Mueller, Morgan Sterling and Karly Wools
