Class of 2014 graduates

Students toss their hats into the air in the traditional final act together as a class, following commencement ceremonies last Friday. Photo by Brian S. Orban

The hard work invested by Mountain Home High School's graduating class was rewarded as they stepped forward to earn their diplomas during this year's time-honored graduation ceremony Friday evening.

Hundreds of spectators packed into the grandstands to honor this year's seniors, who focused on bringing the students into a cohesive team, according to Principal Jeff Johnson.

The senior class started the year with a back-to-school bash to welcome other students back to their school, Johnson said. At the same time, they organized a color run fundraiser to help others in the community who lost their homes and property during a series of range fires that swept across the area last summer.

While most students simply walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, others like Liam Condon decided to make their mark before graduating. As members of the faculty watched, the senior paused and ripped off the sleeves of his gown before throwing his arms up into the air in jubilation. He later admitted that he had everything planned well in advance with his mother helping to modify his gown so the sleeves would come off on cue. Photo by Brian S. Orban

These students then put together "pink out" events during various school functions to raise money in the fight against cancer.

However, Johnson remained especially proud of how the Class of 2014 worked to unify students of all grade levels to ensure they knew they belonged to Mountain Home High School.

"That will be the legacy of the Class of 2014 that will carry into the following years," he said.

A blaring horn was no match against silly string as a graduating senior gets doused in the sticky adhesive as his family celebrated his achievement. Photo by Brian S. Orban

The total journey the graduating seniors faced over the past 12 years was longer than the voyage taken by Greek King Odysseus, said senior class president Aubree Ogaard. Like the legendary leader, those students faced their fair share of treacherous storms that knocked them off course at some point in their academic pursuits.

"But with the trials, there have also been times of peace and joy -- when the sun shone down on us, and it was nothing but smooth sailing and good times," Ogaard said.

Once the commotion of graduation parties and celebrations finally end, these students must realize and accept they are no longer students and must take the next steps in the years to come, she added. However, it's nothing her fellow graduates needed to fear.

"In the past four years, I have seen some utterly amazing things accomplished by our class," she said. "We really are a profoundly classy group of students."

As part of last week's commencement, the principal singled out nearly 60 students that earned honor roll status. To qualify, each of them had to maintain at least a 3.5 grade point average. He then applauded the eight co-valedictorians that graduated last week with flawless 4.0 grade-point averages throughout their high school years.

Each of those top graduates took time to reflect on the past four years and the changes they saw in both themselves and the others representing their class.

The Class of 2014 faced a number of challenges over the years including some that were significantly greater than others, said co-valedictorian Grant Ekdahl.

"We are here because of our goals and dreams that have pushed us to accomplish everything we set our minds to," Ekdahl said. "Just remember that as long as you know you can achieve something and you personally believe you can do it, you will be able to do anything you've ever wanted."

"All of us here today can do great things. It just depends on us," added co-valedictorian Heidi Rawlins. "Each of us holds our own keys to our destinies."

The road to graduation was not always easy, but the students of Mountain Home High School should appreciate and thank the teachers that pushed them along the way, Rawlins added.

Co-valedictorian Katelyn McKenzie said the Class of 2014 overcame a stigma of being a "horrible" group of students.

"Now we're praised for being one of the best classes at the high school," McKenzie said. "We stood up for what's right. When others mocked or made fun of us, we stood our ground."

At the same time, the senior class let go of the familiar as it embraced change, she added.

"We've all shown courage throughout our lives -- the courage to carry on, the courage to face the truth... and the courage to follow our dreams," McKenzie said.

"No one here has the same story," co-valedictorian Abby Baker added. "We all come from different backgrounds and life experiences that have shaped us into who we are. There isn't one story that fits us all."

Graduation represents a huge step in the lives of each graduate, Baker said. "But now, as graduates, we are the ones who get to choose how our stories continue. Whether going to college, a trade school, joining the military or working, we get to decide what we do, where we go and who we become."

Ogaard had no doubt that the Class of 2014 will change the world for the better.

"The potential I see as I look at my class is phenomenal," she said. "Just remember that leaving a legacy doesn't necessarily mean having your name written in a record book. Legacies are made all the time by people who simply lived the best life they could and helped others find that life as well."

During his comments, the principal of Mountain Home High School added that the students representing the Class of 2014 benefitted from the generosity of others in the form of local and national scholarships. To date, they had earned approximately $800,000 in scholarship support, including more than $152,000 from local businesses and agencies.

"I can't tell you how exciting it is to talk to seniors who didn't think they had the money to pursue their dreams" that can now reach their goals thanks to this generosity, Johnson said.