'Chase your dreams, know the road home'

Coming in a mess, going out in style.

That wasn’t the motto of the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Class of 2023, but it does fit how their high school years went. In 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic started, they were only freshmen. But they came out better students and individuals, as high school principal Jake Hager described throughout the May 26 commencement ceremony.

The real Class of 2023 motto is from country singer Tim McGraw: “Chase your dreams, but always know the road home.” It was a theme mentioned often throughout the ceremony.

On Friday, May 26, the class of 50 seniors who had gone through an interesting high school journey together celebrated their graduation at the high school football field, where once again the weather was nearly perfect for the commencement ceremonies.

“This is one of my favorite times of the year,” Hager said as he welcomed the class and the crowd. “This graduation holds a special place in my heart because it’s my first as part of the JWP family.”

Hager described the commencement ceremony as a time when “fellow students, family, and staff truly get together” to celebrate the accomplishments of the seniors.

“Everyone will be going on a different path from here,” he said. “After today, there will be a lot of unknowns. But this is the one thing I know about each and every one of you: You all have the ability to do wonderful and amazing things on whatever path you choose to take.

“I can honestly say this for myself,” he continued. “I am excited for what the future holds for all of you. You are all truly inspiring, and I can’t say enough how very proud I am of each one of you.”

The class speaker for this year’s graduating class was none other than senior Zach Groh, who has been involved in the National Honor Society, the student council, FFA, and is one of three 4.0 students.

“Today is our last hurrah on this chapter,” Groh said. “We’d like to thank everyone here today. Without their help, support, and especially their patience, we wouldn’t be here today.”

He further thanked the teachers and encouraged his fellow graduates to reflect on their time at JWP since preschool.

“Now that we’ve got the thank yous out of the way, I would like to apologize to many, if not all in the crowd, for our class projectile vomiting in elementary, waiting until the last minute to do a school project late at night, and possibly being strong-willed and stubborn,” he joked. “But then again, we have character.

“I know we may have senioritis and want to move on,” he continued. “However, I want to reminisce about the good times, be it at Eagle Bluff in elementary school or the hectic Zoom meetings during Covid. It established who we are here and during those times. I don’t want us to lose sight of that.”

He wrapped up his speech by mentioning the importance of remembering who they were as a class even if locations and careers change over time. “Whatever chapter each of our fellow graduates decides to pursue, there is no doubt in my mind that it can happen. For the last time, thank you everyone, and congratulations to the Class of 2023.”

After his speech and the recognition of the 4.0 students, all 51 students received their diplomas, threw their caps up in the air, and walked out to the recessional “Auld Lang Syne.” Juniors Alexis Dahlberg and Lauren White were this year’s honor escorts.

Recognitions and 

Accomplishments

Many students wore cords and pins with their gowns to represent their academic accomplishments and their participation in student organizations like the student council, JWP FFA, Minnesota National Honor Society, and other various groups.

Three students were specially recognized for maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout their time in high school: Zach Groh, Karson Lindsay, and Faith Olson.

Minnesota Honor Society members were Regan Asselin, Ian Barnes, John (Jack) Cahill, Raquel Fischer, Zach Groh, Karson Lindsay, Faith Olson, and Jessa Westphal.

Seniors who graduated with highest honors (3.67-4.0 GPAs) were Regan Asselin, Iam Barnes, James Bleess, John Cahill, Adalynn Davis, Kelton Erler, Raquel Fischer, Zach Groh, Kylee Hanks, Annabelle Hofteig, Karson Lindsay, Faith Olson, Isabelle Rider, and Jessa Westphal.

Seniors who graduated with high honors (3.0-3.66) were Trista Bonnifield, Cody Cowdin, Tyler Flemming, Zach Groll, Brady Hed, Nicholas Johnson, Autumn Joyce, Ashlin Keyes, Airianna Knuteson, Madison Kunst, Damien Kurtz, Blake Ready, Allie Shoultz, Garrett Sobolik, Vanessa Terbeest, Ryder Thissen, Michael VanRavenhorst, and Dakota Waters.

Music

Senior Erik Schauer performed the Star Spangled Banner on guitar before the commencement ceremonies started. In other music entertainment, the choir performed Enya’s “May it Be” and the band performed Gustav Holst’s “Hymn from Jupiter.”