The Susitna Valley class of 2025 held their commencement ceremonies at Su-Valley High School last week. The theme, throughout the ceremony, was the role that music has played for this class, and how it has contributed to their overall sense of community. KTNA’s Colleen Love has more.
When Commencement Speaker, Josh Sandifer took the stage at graduation, he told the class of 2025 to remember three things:
- Keep the music alive and notice how it breaks down barriers.
- It’s not about the cards you’re dealt, but how you play them.
- Enjoy the journey.
Sandifer began teaching at Su-Valley the year this class entered the school in 6th grade. He noticed how music and movement resonated with this diverse group of students, and he began encouraging songs as a method of learning.
As Poppy Moren, class Valedictorian, described during her speech, the creativity of her teachers was inspiring and comforting during times of chaos.
“Our class didn’t have it easy. Our first year here, in 6th grade, we experienced a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. Then came the floods, the power outages, the wildfires and, of course, the global pandemic. Through all this, we were lucky enough to have amazing teachers, who managed to turn what was happening during these, sometimes scary experiences, into lessons.”
Salutatorian, Isabella Higgins echoed Moren’s sentiment. She entered Su-Valley after the pandemic, but found the class of 2025 to be remarkably welcoming to her as a new student.
“Personally, joining this class in the fall of 2021 was a daunting experience. I was terrified to start a new school, making new friends, and joining a whole new community. However, I was met with an unexpected wave of kindness and compassion.”
Both student speakers spoke about their class’ “Mock Rock” triumphs. Mock Rock is a pop-mosh dance number that the class choreographs together, choosing the music, attire and movement as a group. They perform the number, during Sprit Week, at the school, competing with other classes. According to Higgins, this class dominated the Mock Rock World, winning 1st place three years in a row.
It seemed fitting then, that when Class President, Miles Osmond took to the microphone, he chose to sing a song. Osmond wrote the song specifically for commencement and dedicated it to his class.
Future plans for the class of 2025 are as diverse as the group itself, with students choosing a variety of colleges, trade schools, military and church missions for their future endeavors. But they will all carry their challenge with them; to keep the music alive and enjoy the journey.
Osmond singing….”Every game, every song, dancing our hearts out at senior prom, I’ll miss it all, but I’ll be here to catch you if you fall.”
For KTNA, I’m Colleen Love
