This year’s high school graduates were just finishing their freshman year when the covid-19 lockdowns hit, changing their high school experience in several notable ways. And Paige Mefford, senior class president, addressed some of those adjustments in her remarks during the Indian Lake High School commencement, Sunday, May 21.
From face masks to restrictions on the best parts of being in high school, like pep rallies and sporting events, the class of 2023 dealt with a lot of changes. But, Mefford said, “We powered through.”
Then she thanked their families and teachers for their support, adding, “We wouldn’t be here without you.”
Principal Kyle Wagner started the ceremony by congratulating the 105 seniors receiving a diploma.
“It’s been quite the year,” he said, “but all of you sitting here have made it to the end.”
ILHS 1993 graduate Troy Ross gave the commencement address. Ross has a bachelor’s in organizational leadership from Union University and a Master of Business Administration degree with a project management specialization from Ashland University.
He has spent 24 years moving up the ranks at ACRT, an independent national vegetation management consulting firm.
Ross spoke from the heart, telling the students his struggles during his senior year — and in the years following — after the death of his father, Chuck Ross, that February. But he didn’t give up and, eventually, found his passion as a park ranger.
“I challenge the class of ’23 and everyone in the audience today,” Ross said. “Live your life, set smart goals, work hard, find your passion, make your own luck, don’t be scared, find a mentor and be a good person. If you do that, you will be a success. I guarantee it.”
The school recognized five valedictorians: Sierra DeWeese, Heidi Hoffman, Allison Kinney, Marah Reames and Regan Ross, and one salutatorian, Grace Pequignot. Rounding out the top 10 students are: Chad Minnich, Gavin Lones, Paige Mefford and Megan Kimbler.
Members of the Indian Lake High School Class of 2023 include:
Emily Rose Alig, Dakoda Brayden Allen, Stephanie Jo Altstaetter, Brittany Lynn Austin, Chase Vernon Baldwin, Jeremy Nathanael Balenger, Lauren Mackenzie Barhorst, Rachel Rosalee Barnes, Mason Rissler Beres, Caleb Joseph Bihn, Tristen Leighonna-Mae Bills, Ashland Bradley Board, Colby John Borgerding, Elizabeth LeeAnn Braun, Imagery Sky Echo Brooks, Tyler David Brown, Conner James Campbell, Gary Lee Campbell III, Brenton James Carter, Caysie Marie Childress, Tabbitha Arlene Elizabeth Clark, Kiersten Leanne Clem, Lucas Holden Conley, Robin Rachell Cook, Dylan Michael Cooley, Brayden Michael Dempster, Sierra Lynn DeWeese, Metea Lynn Winifred Duncan, Daylon James Easton, Alaina Marie Ellison, Isabella Mae Fauley, Haley Lynn Fisher, Garet Wesley Foreman, Sage Nicholle Futrell, Hannah Pauline Gambrel, Caiden Franklin Gauntt, Austin Shannon Jeffery Griffith, Hunter Michael Gross, Jonathan Michael Henry, Matthew Quinn Hines, Heidi Grace Hoffman, Robert Joseph Holbrook, Ryder Ethan Holbrook, Kylie Leanne Howe, Cameron Daniel Hughes, Jaelyn Kaeleana Hughes, Dalton Lee Hurley, Victoria Reese Hurley, Austin Christopher Hutton, Kelsey Breanne Jackson, Jessica Anne Jacobs, Lily Ann-Marie Jenkins, Nicholas Anthony Johnson, Ashton Scott Kemp, Megan Michelle Kimbler, Rece Matthew Kimmel, Emma Louise King, Allison Christine Kinney, Landon Theodore Kretzmann, Jaise Jorden Lawrence, Angel Alisse Lazo, Zachary Ryan Lemmings, Gavin Edward Lones, Kolby Charles Long, Jalan Shay Martin, Josie Reece Martin, Meadow Rae McCullough, Paige Katherine Mefford, Isaiah Gavin Melendrez, Andi Jaylin Miller, Chad Alexander Minnich, Jeremiah Zachary Momsen, Isaac Ray Morrison, Zachary Micheal Norris, Brant Jackson Parsell, Grace Kaitlyn Pequignot, Katelyn Marie Pippin, Jacob James Preston, Justin William Pummell, Brady Jack Ramsey, Marah Aliese Reames, Jolee Madysen Reser, Elayna Nicole Richardson, Madisyn Spencer Roach, Rylen James Roberts, Regan Noelle Ross, Thomas Elam Schmiedebusch, Donovan Ayden Ray Seymour, Gabriel Elwood Shepherd, Richard Alan Spires, Taylor Odell Stoneburner, Makayla Nicole Strauser, Manuela Leilani Marie Strong, Mason Wade Swygart, Donald Raymond Tanner, Timothy John Taylor, Faith Marie Tegtmeyer, Tia Marie Tracey, Evan Jerad Daniel Varvel, Chase Lee Villa, Aden Ray West, Creek Werner Wischmeyer, Mark Isaiah Wolf, Beau Allen Young and Destiny Nicole Young.
