Class of 2024 seizes the day at 110th Whitefish High School commencement
From left to right are graduates George Bowland, Wyatt Breck, Ethan Bourque and Brendan Bogut. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Graduates ceremoniously move their tassels from right to left. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot).
Zane Meuter carries his younger brother on his shoulders after the cap toss. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Graduating artist Carson Phillips showcases exceptional pottery. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Graduates ceremoniously move their tassels from right to left. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot).
Special handshakes for the memories (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot).
Excited faces amongst the graduates at commencement on Saturday. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Big smiles for graduating senior Will Council. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
There was no shortage of hugs at the WHS Commencement. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Graduate Zena Bonds hugs Health Instructor Kim Schneider. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Ella Elizabeth Walker (center) performs in orchestra and band's last song together. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
A 2024 graduate smiles with Principal Kerry Drowns. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Saturday was a time to live in the moment as 154 graduating seniors gathered with supporters to celebrate not an end, but a beginning to their new lives as Whitefish High School alumni.
Graduate Alex Losee gave an empowering speech during the 110th commencement ceremony.
“‘Carpe diem’ is often mistranslated,” Losee said.
“We not only have the power to seize the day, but also the power to enjoy the moment. We must use both [powers].”
Losee is attending University of Colorado Boulder in the fall with plans to major in biological engineering.
Graduate Ella Walker also shared strong ambitions during her speech, as she plans “to be the first female president from Montana.”
Walker is attending Montana State University to study political science on a pre-law track and aims to transfer to Brown University in the future.
Emcees Brooke Zetooney and Norah Erin Schmidt gave homage to the graduating classes many successes, as well as giving credit to teachers, staff and coaches for their support.
Zetooney will be attending the University of Montana on a track scholarship. She plans to major in business to eventually have a career in interior design or the marketing field.
Schmidt will be attending Gonzaga on a soccer scholarship. Her future plans are to major in biology on a pre-medicine track with hopes of becoming an oncologist.
Zetooney and Schmidt are just a couple of students of a class who uphold the school’s motto of “high expectations and high achievements,” said Principal Kerry Drown.
With the High School being ranked second in the state, and in the top 10% of the nation, “that just doesn’t happen by chance,” said Drown.
Throughout, the ceremony was enlivened by band, orchestra and choir performances.
For their last performance together, the class of 2024 orchestra and band played “The Firebird Suite” by Igor Stravinsky, arr. Merle Isaac, while graduating choir members sang a heartfelt performance of “Over the Rainbow” arr. Samuel Micah Hunter.
Artwork from graduating artists lined the halls outside of the gym, showcasing the graduates’ talent and creativity.
At the end of the ceremony, the class quickly flocked to the fields outside for the cap toss to celebrate the conclusion of commencement.
Graduates ceremoniously move their tassels from right to left. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot).
Zane Meuter carries his younger brother on his shoulders after the cap toss. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Graduating artist Carson Phillips showcases exceptional pottery. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Graduates ceremoniously move their tassels from right to left. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot).
Special handshakes for the memories (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot).
Excited faces amongst the graduates at commencement on Saturday. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Big smiles for graduating senior Will Council. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
There was no shortage of hugs at the WHS Commencement. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Graduate Zena Bonds hugs Health Instructor Kim Schneider. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Ella Elizabeth Walker (center) performs in orchestra and band's last song together. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
A 2024 graduate smiles with Principal Kerry Drowns. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)