The Palmer Ridge Bear Community gathered along with district staff and the Board of Education to recognize the achievements of 269 graduates from the Class of ’24 on May 18 at The Broadmoor World Arena.
Dr. Adam Frank, principal, opened the ceremony by sharing with everyone where PR’s Class of 2024 is heading for life’s next adventure. He then addressed the graduates with a message theme of, “Good, Yet Better.”
“You have grown up experiencing a surge in technological advancements, which are still increasing at lightning speed. The onset of futuristic realities will become the new normal during the next chapters of your life,” Frank shared.
“It is up to you, your generation, even this graduating class at Palmer Ridge, to enter the future unafraid of change and innovation, while being equally dogmatic about doing what is fair, kind and good. As you embark on the next chapters of your life, don’t lose the most ancient of characteristics as we continue to innovate and change the world around us,” added Frank.
“It is good to behold the power of a computer, yet better to create art that expresses your soul … it’s good to laugh from endless YouTube or social media videos, but better to make someone smile as you experience one another’s vulnerable goofiness … it’s good to make a lot of money, yet better to have inner peace and a passion for what you do … it’s good to be intelligent, yet better to be kind and loving,” Frank said. “Work hard to find joy and peace, to find your greatest passion, and most importantly, be you.”
Student Body Presidents Kaya Kimmey and Kaia Newell helped recognize the most memorable District 38 K-8 teachers as selected by the Class of 2024–Carrie Block and Steven Koops, both from Lewis-Palmer Middle School.
Words of gratitude for support from family, friends and educators continued throughout the ceremony.
“We all got here in some way or another with help from those around us, and it’s important for us to recognize that. We’re all in this together,” said Salutatorian Fox Everton.
“To my parents, for their endless support, I can only say, ‘thank you,’” shared Valedictorian Ryan Sauter. “Thank you for helping me grow, learn, to be the person I want to be … to the teachers of Palmer Ridge and their unstoppable commitment to the noblest of goals–education–I can only say, ‘thank you.’”
Congratulations to the PRHS Class of ’24! District 38 is proud of the achievements of our graduates, and we look forward to seeing what they all accomplish next.