On Friday night last week, after the national anthem and a flyover by two F/a-18 Super Hornets assigned to the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center at NAS Fallon, Principal Tim Spencer welcomed the community to the Churchill County High School Graduation ceremony, thanking the City of Fallon, the police department and sheriff's office, CC Communications, C Bar R, A & K Earthmovers, his staff, and Monica Fairbanks, the English teacher who has coordinated graduation efforts for the past several years.
"Where else do you have such welcoming, spirited people who go duck hunting before school and where staff members will kiss farm animals to help raise money for their students," he said, bragging that he got his first antelope tag and will be hunting later this summer.
Camille Winder, who is the youngest child of Walt and Sonja Winder carried on the family tradition, earning recognition as the Honors School Valedictorian. Her oldest brother Calvin, along with brother Mackay earned the distinction during their high school careers, demonstrating the Winders have a corner on the parenting market.
In her speech, Camille reminded class members that each one of them could change the world by showing kindness, being grateful, and being the best version of themselves, always striving to make their best better. "In this polarized and hateful world people have forgotten that you can show respect to someone without agreeing," she said. "Our kindness should not be contingent on a person's views."
Quoting Gordon B. Hinkley, Camille said we are not on this earth to see how important we can become but to see the difference we can make in the lives of others. "What truly matters is what's inside of us," she said, "our character and how we treat others, how we use our talents and skills and education and abilities."
Camille's mother reminds her children, nearly daily, to "remember who you are" and to try their best. Looking at the world as though every day is an opportunity, is a clue into the success of the Winder children.
"You will change the world by being the best you, you can be," said Camille.
Jumpstart Valedictorian Gerik Wassmuth told classmates in his speech to be proud of what they have accomplished despite the challenges. He thanked their teachers, coaches, and staff for the time they invested and all they did to help the students succeed.
"We have reached a turning point in our lives," he said. "Hold yourself to a higher standard than others expect of you. Self-discipline is the key to success." He reminded them to not get discouraged and to work hard. "Do everything you can, and the rest will work itself out."
With wisdom beyond his years, Wassmuth said, "No matter how great the last few years have been, you don't want this to be the peak of your life." He said if students did great they should be careful not to get complacent, and if they weren't their best self, there is still time. Exiting the stage, he recited the words to the famous Rick Astley song, "Never gonna give you up, Never gonna let you down…"
Retiring staff were also recognized during the ceremony with Tammy Carrington, Bonnie Hargis, Captain Kerman, and Dean Schultz all receiving kind words about their careers and expressions of gratitude.
Superintendent Summer Stephens was the guest speaker, urging students to approach life with gusto. "Don't leave anything on the table," she said. "Don't allow the fear of making a mistake be your greatest fear in life. Failure is how we learn and grow." She reminded students to step up and claim who they are and she quoted song lyrics from Beyonce, "I want to leave my footprints in the sands of time…"
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