The first high school commencement ceremony of the year in Grant County was also the smallest.

About 50 well-wishers made their way to the gym at Long Creek School on Saturday, May 25, to watch Charles Kreamier and James Barberi II make their final walks as students of the tiny school.

The ceremony began with comments by Long Creek Superintendent Larry Glaze, who briefly introduced the two members of the school’s Class of 2024 and recited the answers to questions posed to the graduates, including who their favorite teacher was, their favorite memory of school and their plans for the future.

Glaze characterized high school graduation as a transition point in the boys’ journey toward manhood, which will be filled with a myriad of life lessons.

“What is very important is that we remember these lessons and we gain wisdom from them,” he said. “That’s where we get wisdom with age.”

A brief slide show took attendees on a journey through both students’ lives, from early childhood through their high school years. That was followed by a flower ceremony in which both graduates gave roses to influential family members and friends.

Denise Porter, who teaches kindergarten through third grade at Long Creek, was the guest speaker at the graduation. She spoke about her own interactions with both graduates while highlighting all the two have accomplished in meeting their goal of graduation.

Porter also spoke about the qualities needed for success in daily life before offering the fresh graduates a few words of encouragement.

“We all hope the best for you, Charles and Jimmy,” she said.

Following the presentation of diplomas, Glaze declared both Kreamier and Barberi official graduates of Long Creek School, bringing the commencement ceremony to a close.

Afterwards, both Kreamier and Barberi spoke about some of the unique aspects of being part of a two-person graduating class, such as being the entire focus of the crowd in attendance at their graduation.

“When I first started walking out it felt nerve-racking, but as it went on, I kind of got used to it,” Kreamier said. “I felt happy to be up here graduating.”

“It was nice,” Barberi said. “It was good to see all the people and familiar faces to come in just to see you graduate. … It was just a monumental feeling, overall.”

Both graduates expressed happiness to finally be finished with school, despite some reservations about the future.

“You’re excited to get out, you’re relieved, but there is maybe some worry in there,” Barberi said. “There is nothing to keep you in check — you’ve got to do that yourself, and it’s just a process to get there.”

“I feel like I’ll miss the structure of school,” Kreamier said. “You have everything set out for you instead of having to do everything yourself. I think I’ll get used to it.”

Both graduates expect to leave Long Creek at some point in the future. Kreamier said he expects to find a job before leaving Long Creek in “a year or two,” adding he has a backup plan to join the Air Force if all else fails.

Barberi said he plans on working as much as he can before ultimately setting out to travel the world.

“I want to go to every state in the lower 48,” Barberi said.

Grad pages

For more Grant County high school graduation coverage, see special advertising section on pages A7-9.