Seniors donned their caps, gowns and grins from ear to ear while reflecting on all they have accomplished and all that is before them during the Brown County High School commencement ceremony on May 27.
All the hard work — and fun — of their time in Brown County Schools was celebrated in person at the Larry C. Banks Memorial Gymnasium at the start of Memorial Day weekend.
Three seniors spoke during the ceremony along with Principal Trent Austin and Superintendent Emily Tracy.
Graduates Josh Miller, Aden Rice and Tristen Shields all had the opportunity to speak to their fellow graduates. They reflected on their time spent in Brown County High School and looked to the future.
Miller encouraged fellow graduates to “follow their joy,” knowing that the toss of their caps is merely the beginning of their futures.
Rice told her classmates that their journey was far from over in her speech as each senior “will go on to do amazing things.”
In a world where people — especially young adults — are constantly comparing themselves to others, Shields said the only comparison in life his fellow graduates should make is: “How do you measure up against the person you were yesterday?”
During his first commencement ceremony as principal, Austin thanked the students for a great first year.
“Thank you for being a great group of young adults. We believe you’ll do amazing things in our world,” he said.
Austin said returning to the high school as principal was a homecoming for him. He rejoined the class he first met when he was principal at the former Brown County Intermediate School.
“I met you when you walked in the doors as Brown County Intermediate School fifth graders,” he said. “This year I’ve had the opportunity to celebrate your senior year with you. I want to thank you, Class of 2022.”
He shared two messages with the group, the first being that the day was about them and those who helped them get to this point in life.
“Today’s the opportunity to thank those who have helped you get here,” he said.
“Those people who have loved you, people who have supported you. These people who have cheered you on every step of the way.”
The second was to never stop “learning how to learn,” he said.
Almost 30 years ago, Austin once sat in that same gymnasium as a graduating senior from Brown County High School. The unknown of what was going to come next left him with an overwhelming feeling, he told the seniors.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever had expected to be standing in front of you as your principal,” he said. “You never know where life will lead you, but the mindset of always learning how to learn will open doors and opportunities for you.”
“Know this, Class of 2022: I’m so proud of you, you’re going to do great things. And as you enter the world beyond the walls of Brown County High School, go with confidence that you are ready, you are prepared. We love you and wish you the best.”
Tracy closed the evening. She said the 112 paths of the graduating seniors had aligned in one culminating night.
“You’re here tonight because you’ve received your high school diploma,” she said. “Celebrate this success: it belongs to you.”
She went on to share a T.S. Eliot quote: “What we call the beginning is often the end. To make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start.”
“Celebrate your accomplishment, but only for a night or two, for this is only the beginning,” Tracy said.
“Take your successes and your failures, your pride and your regret, take it all and go out and conquer the world.”
