Inclement weather dampens no spirits at BRHS graduation
As rain comes down, caps go up at the Blue Ridge High School graduation on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Superintendent Michael Wright addresses the 2023 graduating class and the audience at the Blue Ridge High School graduation on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Principal Loren Webb addresses the 2023 graduating class and audience at the Blue Ridge High School graduation on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Co-salutatorian Ellie Alder addresses her classmates and the audience at the Blue Ridge High School graduation on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Co-valedictorian Caralea Vest addresses her classmates and the audience at the Blue Ridge High School graduation on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Reid Granillo, BRHS class of 2023 co-valedictorian, addresses his classmates and the audience at the Blue Ridge High School graduation on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Kelsea Mahoney, left, and Caralea Vest lead the way at the Blue Ridge High School graduation on Friday, May 19, 2023.
The Blue Ridge High School class of 2023 prepares for the graduation ceremony at Blue Ridge High School on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Kelsea Mahoney accepts her diploma at the Blue Ridge High School graduation on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Nate Padilla accepts his diploma at the Blue Ridge High School graduation on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Graduate Jensen Cook brandishes his diploma.
Ellie Alder, BRHS class of 2023 co-salutatorian, struts her stuff at the Blue Ridge High School graduation on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Above: Co-valedictorian Caralea Vest stands in front her fellow graduates to shoot a soggy selfie at the Blue Ridge High School graduation ceremony on Friday. Below: Graduate Jensen Cook brandishes his diploma.
As rain comes down, caps go up at the Blue Ridge High School graduation on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Co-salutatorian Lucy Flake addresses her classmates and the audience at the Blue Ridge High School graduation on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Blue Ridge High School’s graduation started off with a dark sky and the threat of rain looming in the distance Friday night, and thunder sounded throughout the ceremony — but you can’t keep a good person or class down.
The ceremony went on regardless, and in all 167 seniors graduated. Twenty students graduated with high honor roll distinction and 27 graduated with National Honor Society distinction.
District Superintendent Michael Wright and Principal Loren Webb both addressed the students, recalling fun memories and giving words of advice for the future.
The class salutatorians, Lucy Flake and Ellie Alder, also spoke. Flake and Alder will both be attending Brigham Young University for one year, after which they will serve full-time missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Webb said.
Valedictorians Caralea Vest and Reid Granillo spoke next. Vest spoke about how COVID-19 changed their high school experience. She recognized that the teachers adapted well to the changes COVID brought. “Freshman year, school ended in March. Sophomore year, we dealt with online and hybrid schedules. Senior year, we had what felt like more snow days than school days, and frankly, this thunderstorm seems like a fitting end to our high school experience,” Vest said, drawing laughter from the packed football stadium.
Vest will be attending the University of Kentucky, participating in the Lewis Honors College, with a major in kinesiology and a minor in dance on the UK Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship.
Granillo will be going to the University of Arizona to study mechanical engineering, receiving the UA’s Merit Scholarship, Webb said.
With about 50 students left to walk the stage, the sky opened, and rain started pouring — but the event went on, and ended with the traditional toss of mortarboards amid the showers.
“A very fitting graduation for a class that shows resiliency. What a night,” Webb said.
Contact the writer at jdryden@wmicentral.com.
