Dayvillle School Superintendent Davida Irving had a request for the school’s four graduating seniors in her commencement address:

“I ask that as you leave here today, your last day as a student and your first day as an alumnus, to always remember where you have come from,” she said.

“These early chapters are important ones in each and every one of your life’s stories. It has helped shape who you are today,” Irving continued. “Who you want to be tomorrow, however, lies in front of you and will be the outcome of the decisions you make going forward.”

More than 100 friends and family members gathered in the school gymnasium on Saturday, June 1, to celebrate Dayville’s Class of 2024: Wyatt Suchorski, Ethan Thompson, Jasmine Athens and Cash Moore.

Irving had another request for the grads:

“In thinking about how you all will move forward,” she said, “I ask that you do so with a kind heart, a strong work ethic and a positive outlook. These three things will allow you to move forward, thrive and succeed in this world.”

Athletic director Tiffnie Schmadeka announced the scholarships (each senior earned at least one) and awards. Moore won the Senior Achievement Award, Thompson was named Outstanding Senior and Suchorski and Thompson each earned the Academic Achievement Award.

Suchorski was named class valedictorian, and Thompson was the salutatorian.

In his valedictory address, Suchorski confessed to being a little nervous. “Being a senior hit me, like, three minutes ago,” he said.

On behalf of his classmates, Suchorski offered words of gratitude to parents, teachers and friends.

“Thank you,” he said, “for pushing us to be the best people we can be.”

The house lights dimmed for a video presentation set to music that flashed photos of each of the four graduates, from baby pictures and family photos to senior portraits and snapshots of their high school years.

While the video played, each of the seniors walked around the gym distributing flowers to family members and others who have had a positive impact on their lives.

The class took as its motto a quote from martial arts legend Bruce Lee: “Preparation for tomorrow is hard work today.”

Teacher and coach Justin Larson expanded on that theme in his remarks to the graduates.

He spoke of the importance of discipline in a successful life.

“These are four young adults who all have a plan for the next chapter of their life,” he said.

But plans, he warned the graduating seniors, have a way of getting knocked off track by the unexpected.

“There’s this thing called life, and it’s going to put some speed bumps in your way,” he said.

That, Larson said, is where discipline comes in, defining it as “the practice of doing what you do not want to do when you do not want to do it.”

Motivation, he said, is overrated, but preparation will see you through challenging times, and that preparation begins with discipline. Larson advised the students to maintain discipline in small things, whether it be making their bed every morning or maintaining a consistent workout schedule. Those small steps, he added, would help the students maintain the discipline to attain their larger goals in life.

“All four of you have dreams and aspirations,” he concluded. “My advice is to go out there with a plan, some attitude and the discipline to achieve those dreams.”

Grad pages

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