On the morning of May 22, West Grand elementary school students and seniors grabbed each other’s hands to walk down the hall together and then outside to celebrate another school year.

Superintendent Elizabeth Bauer said that this tradition of elementary students and seniors celebrating together started in 2019. It gives the younger students a glimpse into their future, as well as their hopes and dreams for their education.

“It helps the little ones see that the end of goal is graduation and diploma,” Bauer said.

It also gives seniors a chance to reflect on their yearslong journey at West Grand as they get ready to graduate — from favorite former teachers to friends they may have had since kindergarten.

The large crowd of seniors and young students filled the lawn outside the school to take photos with staff, friends and families.

Right afterwards, it was time for the seniors to head to the gym to practice their graduation ceremony. This was a busy and jubilant day as seniors prepare for life after West Grand and recognize each others’ accomplishments.

“My highlights have definitely been being involved in sports and clubs throughout high school, I did a lot of those,” said senior Callie Freitag. “FFA, NHS and student council. Really everything that the school offered.”

Callie also enjoyed all the West Grand sports, including track, volleyball, basketball, dance and cheer. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney to get her nursing degree. Her mother, Tiffany Freitag, added that while West Grand is a small district, it offers so many programs for the students.

“Full credit classes, internships throughout the community, and all the extracurriculars are really, really awesome for a district our size,” Tiffany said.

School district recognizes students’ accolades

At the end of May, West Grand and Middle Park high school seniors will toss their graduation caps into the air to signal beginning a new chapter in their lives.

West Grand’s valedictorian is Taylin Harthun, who will attend Kansas State University. The valedictorian is recognized as the school’s student with the highest academic standing.

Harthun also won the prestigious Daniels Fund Scholarship this April, earning $100,000. 230 students out of 3,600 who applied received the scholarship. Elijah Boomer of Middle Park also won the Daniels Fund Scholarship.

West Grand’s salutatorian is Luci Bruchez, earning the second-highest academic standing. She will be attending California Polytechnic State University.

“I would like to thank my friends and family for their continued support throughout all my endeavors,” Bruchez wrote to Sky-Hi News. “I am so grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me growing up. I also would like to wish my fellow classmates the best of luck in the future.”

Middle Park High School’s valedictorian is August Roehrs. He will study mechanical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines.

“Being named valedictorian is an honor, but the title and my GPA doesn’t mean everything. This class is full of talent, drive, and heart, and the academic, athletic and personal achievements of all the students of the MPHS class of 2025 are incredible,” he wrote. “I’m endlessly thankful to my teachers, friends, and family who have supported me through high school and beyond.”

Middle Park’s salutatorian is Jacqueline Martinski is planning to attend University of Colorado at Boulder to study psychology on a premed track.

“This graduating class has a special sense of unity. I’m always amazed to see my classmates uplifting each other,” Martinski wrote. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my classmates and teachers sharing this spirit, so sincerely thank you all.”

Grand County’s homeschooled seniors are also excited their careers after graduation, such as Teagan Trott. She earned the County Sheriffs of Colorado scholarship award. One student from each county can win the scholarship.

Trott said she plans to completing two years of undergrad through Colorado Northwestern Community College online to earn her associate in science in Animal Science.

“After that, I plan to transfer to CSU to earn a bachelor’s degree in animal science. Then I would like to continue my education and pursue veterinary school to become a large animal vet,” she wrote. “I feel so incredibly honored to be the recipient of this amazing scholarship opportunity.”

Graduation dates and times

Both school districts invite the public to celebrate the seniors for their accomplishments over the past four years.

On May 24, West Grand High School will celebrate the graduating class of 2025. The commencement ceremony will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the West Grand High School gymnasium. The class message is “Reflections of the past, present and future: hard is not always bad.”

Then on May 31, Middle Park High School will hold its graduation beginning at 10 a.m. The class song is “Good Old Days” by Macklemore and their message is “Nothing we do changes the past, everything we do changes the future.”