The rain did not dampen the spirits of the Alliance High School Class of 2023 on Sunday afternoon as they took to the stage at the Performing Arts Center to receive their diplomas.
APS Superintendent Dr. Troy Unzicker said that this was the first time in 10 years that the ceremony was forced to move indoors due to the rain. He cited efforts from the staff as a success in the move to the Performing Arts Center on such short notice.
“I think it went great,” said Unzicker. “This was Mr. (Chris) Stein’s first ceremony, and he handled it like a professional. Obviously, I wanted to do everything I could do to keep it outside and keep everybody there, and unfortunately for the first time in my 10 years here, I had to move it inside due to the rain. I thought he handled it well because we made the decision Sunday morning about 9 o’clock.”
Stein welcomed everyone to the ceremony, advising the graduates to always remember their time at Alliance High School.
“As you leave this school and enter this world, I want to remind you of the power of your education,” said Stein. “Your time here has not only prepared you for success, but also for the challenges and opportunities that await you in the real world. The education that you have gotten here will be your greatest asset. It will give you the tools to overcome obstacles, the knowledge to make informed decisions, and the confidence to pursue your dreams.
“My wish is that high school was hard,” Stein said. “I hope that it was extremely hard, because life from here on forward is. Hopefully we have prepared you to handle those while you were here. Be great people first.”
Carver Hauptman gave the first senior speech, recounting the previous 12 years that he shared with his classmates. He explained that high school was a process of discovery that led him and others to find their true selves.
“Your true self, your pure self, is the best version of you,” said Hauptman.
Maribel Carrillo gave the second senior speech, sharing gratitude to all of the family members, teachers and staff who have dedicated their time helping the class of 2023 develop into the people they are today. She encouraged her classmates to keep moving forward in the face of challenges.
Counselor Nathan Lanik recognized the class of 2023 in their pursuit of scholarships. He explained that as of his latest calculations, the class had earned $567,550, not including two large scholarships that were still pending.
Before diplomas were conferred to the graduates, Assistant Principal Anita James recognized the seniors who enlisted to serve the nation in the armed forces. Those students include Lucas Smith, who joined the Army National Guard, and Isaiah Dagnan, Owen Grant and Austen Stanec, who joined the United States Marine Corps.
Unzicker shared advice for the class of 2023, encouraging them to pursue their dreams.
“You can do whatever you want to do, but you’ve got to put your mind to it,” said Unzicker. “If you work hard and continue to educate yourself, you’re going to go a long way.”
The following are photos from the AHS graduation ceremony:
