MyEagleNews.com
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
B9
Prairie
City
Valedictorian Speech - Declan Zweygardt
Declan Zweygardt
Valedictorian
Caitlin Willet
Salutatorian
Ezra Beam
Jesaka Culley
Jayda DuBois
Kevin Duvall
Jojari Field
Katelynn Hire
Brandon Horrell
Well guys we finally made it, had a couple rough
patches with Covid but we made it to graduation. All
the years went by so fast, especially with the few of us
that have been here since kindergarten. It seems like
only weeks ago that we were in 6th grade getting in
trouble for having beer cans on our homecoming float
as noise makers. Everyone always viewed our class as
the trouble makers and it may seem that our class has
pushed some teachers into retirement but I think it
was just a coincidence. In spite of all that, we are here
standing on this stage each receiving our diplomas.
After this day many of us will be going straight into
summer jobs, either to make money for college or to
start life in the real-world as part of the workforce.
Sitting here today we have a future police officer,
wildland firefighter, ranchers, estheticians, military
personnel, physical therapist, business entrepreneurs,
welders, and a veterinarian.
People are always saying to be ready for the “real-
world” “it’s scary” “it’s difficult” but I don’t see it that way.
Getting out of high school should be exciting not scary,
to be pushed into the “real-world” to pay your own bills,
have a job, and pay taxes sounds scary but all it really is,
is a challenge and opportunity to show everyone your
perseverance and potential to be great. So the message
I’m trying to portray is, let’s not waste this opportunity
and accept this challenge head on and make great
people out of ourselves. To give my argument some
credibility here is some wisdom and inspiration from
very successful people. Like what Walt Disney once said:
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin
doing” or Henry Ford, who stated: “Whether you think
you can or think you can’t, you’re right”. In the words
of US president Theodore Roosevelt: “Do what you can
with all you have, wherever you are”. The great basketball
coach John Wooden said: “Things work out best for
those who make the best of how things work out” and
Brian Tracy, the motivational speaker and author said:
“There are no limits to what you can accomplish, except
the limits you place on your own thinking”. I know that
there are going to be difficulties and failures on our
paths of life, but we need to be optimistic about those
failures and difficulties as Winston Churchhill said,
“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The
optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty”. So
Class of 2021 let’s go be optimists.
Salutatorian Speech - Caitlin Willet
Tristan McMahan
Sophia McLennan
Abbey Pfefferkorn
My name is Caitlin Willet and I have been born and
raised in Grant County. I have attended this school since
I was in kindergarten and all I’ve ever known is Prairie
City School. I’ve known some of my classmates since
I was 5 years old, so it’s hard to imagine life without
them. So, I’m going to be cliche and share a quote
that I like. It says, “We don’t remember the days, we
remember the moments.”
I like this quote because it reminds me of how each
day of school seemed like it took forever and class
periods seemed like they stretched on for hours, but
overall the years passed before our eyes and now all we
have is the memories.
My advice for the younger classmen that are here
today is to cherish the memories and be thankful for
those who are next to you in school. No matter how
much they annoy you at times, these will be some of
the most memorable times and people in your life.
You won’t remember the days but you’ll definitely
remember the moments.
Tanner Way
Jayden Winegar
Samantha Workman
Next, I want to give a huge thank you to the staff
here at Prairie City School. They have all taught us so
much and I am so grateful for that. I also want to give
a special thank you to Susie Combs for always being so
kind and being everyone’s rock at Prairie City School.
I’d also like to thank my family and friends for always
being there for me and putting up with my endless
dumb jokes. They’ve stuck by my side through all the
good and bad times and I couldn’t ask for anything
more.
I’d like to thank the community members and
businesses in Prairie City who have helped each and
everyone of us at PCHS. Your support and donations
for fundraisers is so appreciated and we couldn’t do it
without you.
Lastly, I want to thank my classmates. School wouldn’t
have been the same without you guys and honestly I’d
say we were a pretty fun group. We’ve grown so much
together and I can’t wait to see what you guys become.
Thank you!
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