Columbia City celebrates Class of 2021

COLUMBIA CITY — Columbia City High School said goodbye to the Class of 2021 as nearly 250 students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas to begin the rest of their lives.

On Friday evening, CCHS Superintendent Laura McDermott welcomed guests to the graduation ceremony as she asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner.

The Alma Mater song was performed by the CCHS Band with the arrangement by Carolyn Hindbaugh.

The school song has made an appearance throughout the school history dating back as early as the 1920’s, as a way to carry on the tradition of school spirit.

Faculty speaker Todd Armstrong made a speech to the Class of 2021, while checking off the fact that he was the last speaker at the old high school and now the first speaker of new CCHS. Armstrong spoke of the history made from the Class of 2021 as they will remember the majority of the year not being in the classroom setting. While reminding the graduates that “...actions are more important than words...” and “... preparation is the key to building confidence, performing at your best...”.

A dedication was made for Easton Adkins and Payton Tenney during the ceremony. These students were honored and remember by their fellow graduates as a two empty chairs sat in their place. The graduates of 2021 will continue to carry the legacies of those who were able to be in attendance while remembering how short life is.

The Valedictorian, Marley Heritier, and one of the two Salutatorians, Abigail Price, rose to give speeches to their fellow graduates about their memories of school and speculations of the future.

The second Salutatorian, Jasmin Studebaker, performed a rendition of the Smash-Mouth single “All Star” by switching out the original words to include “Hey now, you’re an all star, get your game on graduate”, while keeping the spirits high with the untraditional speech.

The graduates were than called up one by one to receive their diplomas. The parent of Easton Adkins walked across the stage to collect his diploma as his name echoed across the gymnasium and received a standing ovation.

The graduates flipped their tassels, tossed their caps high and walked out as “Good Ole Days” by Macklemore played on the speakers to mark the end of their high school careers.