FLYERS CLASS OF 2021 SAYS GOODBYE

JEREMY WALTNER  – PUBLISHER

Students presented roses to family members in an always-emotional moment, those receiving scholarships were acknowledged in the program and over the public address system, and class valedictorian Madeline Hofer reminded those attending Saturday afternoon’s graduation at Freeman Public Schools that this was a class that always — always — had each other’s backs.

“When I think back on all the times we have shared here at Freeman High School, I most distinctly remember our class’s undying determination and how we have always been there for each other,” Hofer said in her May 15 address. “I would never want a different class than the one I was given because I have never seen another class that was as connected and supportive as ours.”

Hofer’s was one of two student speeches given on Saturday. The other came from Madison Hofer, who along with Odalite Pankratz was the class co-salutatorian.

In her address, Madison offered insight into the unique nature of the Freeman High School Class of 2021.

“A lot of us here aren’t really the biggest fans of school,” she acknowledged, offering a number of examples to support that assessment. “Our class is pretty well known to kind of do their own things in their own ways.”

While Madeline and Madison both recognized the class’s propensity for doing things “in their own ways,” they both shared optimism for what that means for them moving forward.

“Wherever you go in the next years, you will always have a support system here with these people,” Madeline said. “Even though we are all going different places next year, and although we will not be together anymore, we can remember that our family here will have our backs, no matter what.”

“As a famous lyricist once said, ‘hold on to these memories, they will hold on to you,’” Madison concluded. “As we turn our tassels to the other side and graduate, we will never be the same people we were here at Freeman High School. Soon we will be off to do bigger and better things, but I hope we can hold on to the memories made here and look on them fondly to keep us together forever as the class of 2021.”

Last Saturday’s graduation at Freeman High School also included the traditional PowerPoint presentation that offers a closer look at the seniors and the presentation of the senior class and the diplomas by Superintendent Kevin Kunz.