Bourbon High School’s 2024 graduation ceremony was held Thursday night in the gymnasium, as hundreds gathered to watch 74 seniors receive their diplomas, end their high school journey and begin a new chapter.
The ceremony began with a stirring rendition of the national anthem by salutatorian Cierra Clonts.
BHS Principal Matt Peregoy delivered the opening remarks and introduced each of the event’s three speakers: class president Johnathan Morgan, Clonts and valedictorian Allison Ryerson.
Clonts encouraged her classmates to push themselves. “Trying new things and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone helps expand your horizons and realize you can achieve more than you ever thought you could.”
Ryerson said Thursday was the beginning “of something much bigger.” Citing Theodore Roosevelt’s “Citizenship in a Republic” speech, Ryerson said each of the graduates must become “the man in the arena” — the person who faces challenge and critique as opposed to the person sitting on the sidelines and watching.
“Go after your biggest dream,” Ryerson said. “Do what is right and put yourself on the path to success even if the people around you have no drive to do so.”
Crawford County R-1 Superintendent Cole Byassee delivered a message to students before the recognition of senior parents.
“To the graduates, I offer a heartfelt congratulations,” Byassee said. “Each of you has demonstrated remarkable resilience.”
Byassee encouraged graduates to “embrace curiosity, pursue knowledge and never underestimate the power of your dreams.”
Among the notable moments was the presentation of awards and scholarships.
Assistant Principal Jessica Becker presented the top 10, which was Ryerson, Clonts, Brooklyn Bouse, Cole Bouse, Chase Chepely, Abigail Hutchison and Timberly Morrow.
Trish Lewis presented A+ graduates and recognized Beta Club members.
Additionally, more than $537,000 in scholarships were awarded to students.
BHS Principal Matt Peregoy closed the ceremony. Peregoy, who began at BHS when the graduates were freshmen, likened going through life like climbing a mountain. Peregoy climbed off the stage, hauled out a climbing backpack and one by one, demonstrated the parallels in the gear needed to scale a mountain and go through life.
“Eventually you’ll get to the summit,” Peregoy said. “Thank the people that got you there. Enjoy that moment with them because you didn’t do it by yourself. Take a moment to look where you came from and realize you achieved something great. You see the beauty of that accomplishment. You see another mountain you’re not afraid to climb. That’s how you find success.”
Click here to read Sullivan Independent News
Sullivan Independent News
411 Scottsdale
Sullivan, MO 63080
Phone: 573-468-6511
Fax: 573-468-4046
general@sullivannews.net
sports@sullivannews.net
advertising@sullivannews.net
billing@sullivannews.net
