Copper Basin High School graduates and their guests heard words of joy and encouragement during the Class of 2021 gradation ceremony.
The sun had dipped below the mountains, leaving the CBHS football stadium in their shadow Thursday, May 20, as seniors waited to receive their diplomas.
CBHS Principal Holly Smith first talked of the challenges presented to this year’s graduates with the changes brought about by COVID-19.
She praised the group for its resilience and ability to adapt when obstacles stood in the way.
Smith told the class to “stay strong. Be true to yourself.”
Bradley Ballew, this year’s salutatorian, spoke highly of his teachers and classmates.
“The time I’ve spent here will stay with me for years to come,” Ballew said.
Looking toward the future and what it might hold, Ballew told his fellow graduates, “Never let your life pass you by. Always be present for the gift that is today.”
Allie Ballew, the class valedictorian, talked of the happy moment graduation represents.
She encouraged her classmates to “live your life the way you want to be remembered.”
She talked of lessons learned playing sports, and being told to “leave it all out there” in competition. She translated that into life, saying, “Have no regrets when you do something, because you may never get that opportunity again.”
She concluded by telling her fellow graduates that they should “allow greatness to happen.”