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DAYTON–The Dayton High School Class of 2023 tossed their mortarboards high into the air at the conclusion of Commencement Exercises here Saturday, June 3, after receiving their diplomas, witnessing their individual class mates' scholarship awards and hearing valedictory and salutatory addresses from the class's academic leaders.

Emily Rodrick, Hudson Reser, salutatorian Sarah Shutters, valedictorian Benny Bryan, Vaughn Walter, Shania Johnson-Fay, Eve Talbott, Joseph Patterson and Madison Gallardo are destined to further their education with almost $100,000 in scholarship awards, which were announced as each graduate was presented their diploma.

High School Principal Guin Joyce said 55 percent of the class are headed to institutions of higher learning and 45 percent plan to pursue further training or enter the workforce. Local scholarships presented to Class of 2023 graduates totaled $65,488, Joyce said. With additional scholarships from outside-area sources, the total amount was $98,880.

In welcoming relatives, friends and guests to the D.H.S. Gym, Joyce said "today, we honor our graduating seniors for their tremendous efforts and the many accomplishments and recognitions that have earned them the right to graduate this afternoon.

"Thank you for the countless ways you guided, encouraged, and sacrificed to help ensure their success," Joyce said to parents and family members. "This ceremony is also a celebration of your commitment to these students."

Valedictorian Benny Bryan's address: "For the last 12 years, our lives have revolved around this school. Countless hours have been spent, ultimately all leading up to this day. After this ceremony, all of us will move on to the next chapter of our lives. But in the end, is this all that school has amounted to? A couple pieces of paper?

"No.

"In the future, what will we remember from our high school years? Not the last minute CBA's or some math test, or your grades. What you will remember is the relationships you made, the good times you had, and the experiences that forced you to learn, however uncomfortable they were.

"On behalf of all of my classmates, l would like to give a special thanks to the teachers, coaches, and staff that have sacrificed on our behalf, and pushed us to be better people.

"As we leave here today, I would like us all to think of this, not as the closing of one door, but as the opening of many more."

Salutatorian Sarah Shutters stepped to the podium for her address: "Good afternoon. Thank you, faculty, family, community members...all of you who have supported us...

"Classmates, Here we are. We've made it.

"I can't tell you we've had an easy high-school experience. We've been through a lot with COVID and other changes, but all of the struggles and obstacles have taught us a lot of life lessons.

"But we've also had great experiences. I have some amazing memories with you guys, like lip-syncs and band bus rides and playing lava tag on the Big Toy.

"Through all of the hardship, we've found support in each other and this community, and I know that we will go out into the world carrying that strength.

"We've seen what the world can throw at us, but we've also seen what the world can offer, and we know how strong we are. We are resilient.

"And now, we're graduating. You've made it this far; you can face whatever the future holds."

Interim Superintendent Rich Stewart, who left Dayton in 2009 after a stint as superintendent, acknowledged that many of the students from that time are in the audience, or living in Dayton, after vowing that they would leave town and seek their fortunes elsewhere. "I would like to encourage you to go out and see the rest of the world," Stewart said, "and then reflect on the gifts that you see around you.

During his high-school years, Stewart attended a different high school each year, mostly in small towns and his senior year was in a large high school near Seattle. Classmates would ask if he was "bored, watching the grass grow in eastern Washington? I would regale them with stories about going out fishing and hiking and hunting, and doing those kind of things." His classmates' ideas of excitement were hanging out at the mall. One of his fondest memories was fishing for catfish, and finding large carp, which he and his friends would attempt to grab on to and ride. "Most of the time I ended up flat in the mud," Stewart said.

Stewart reflected on his upbringing in rural areas and encouraged the graduates to remember their experiences in Dayton and the Touchet Valley, and consider communities with positive values when it is their turn to choose a place to raise a family. Of Stewart's five children, four live in rural communities, and he pointed out that the Class of 2023 has the advantage of working–thanks to technology–from different places in the world, opportunities previous generations didn't have.

Stewart presented the Class of 2023 for presentation of diplomas by School Board Chairman Jeff McCowen. Graduates were: Hudson Jay Reser, Vaughn Logan Walter, Sarah Mei Shutters, Nathan Benaiah Bryan, Elijah Lee Lanum, Madison Jean Gallardo, Norbert Benton-Kay Cush, Brandy Maylynn Davis, Joseph Carter Patterson, Genesee Elizabeth Smith, Dan "Junior" Magill-Katsel, Eve Marie Talbott, Logan Ray Potter, Shania Lynn Fay, Tristan Lee Barnes, Xane Everett McManamon, Milena Therese Gemmell and Emily Elise Rodrick.

Honor graduates, who maintained a 3.5 G.P.A. or above, included Bryan, Shutters, Reser, Rodrick and Walter. National Honor Society members were Bryan, Shutters and Walter. Scholar-athletes were Bryan, Shutters, Reser and Walter. Most performed 25 hours of community service.

The Class Motto was "Sweep it under the run, it's probably fine." The class flower was the red rose, and the eighteen graduates recessed from the formal ceremony to The Who's "Baba O'Riley.

Emily Rodrick will have $34,442 in scholarships to help fund her higher education at the University of Idaho. She received $400 from the American Association of University Women; $300 from the Brandon Barton Memorial Scholarship; Dayton Lions Club Academic Scholarship-$700; Dayton/Columbia County Fund-$2,500; D.H.S. Alumni Association Scholarship-$1,000; John Israel Scholarship-$1,000; Dayton Kiwanis Club Scholarship-$1,000; Floyd and Eugenia Darnell Norgaard Scholarship-$2,500; Owen and Jan Agenbroad Assistantship Fund-$250; Guy and Nyda Prater Scholarship-$5,000; Roger Harting Memorial Scholarship-$350; Ward and Vera Hoskins Memorial Scholarship-$600; Kay Preston Cochran Scholarship-$300; Cliff and Elise Lathen Scholarship-$500; and the Western Undergraduate Exchange Scholars Merit Scholarship-$17,792.

Hudson Reser will be heading to college with a total of $21,688 in scholarships. He received the Archer Ranch Scholarship of $490; Dayton/Columbia County Fund-$2,500; Ward and Vera Hoskins Memorial Scholarship-$650; D.H.S. Alumni Association-$1,000; Merwin & Alethea Neace & Family Memorial Scholarship-$1,048; Guy and Nyda Prater Scholarship-$5,000; Chapter BJ PEO Citizenship Scholarship-$300; Ben Dickinson Memorial Scholarship-$700; Don and Nancy Fix: Initial Scholarship-$8,000; Elks Most Valuable Student-$500; Elk Drug-$500; and Kiwanis Club Scholarship-$1,000.

Sarah Shutters received a total of $16,400, including $2,500 from the PEO Star Scholarship; $300 from the Chapter BJ Citizenship Scholarship and $13,600 from the Cornish Merit Scholarship.

Vaughn Walter received $2,500 from the Dayton/Columbia County Fund; $2,500 from the Floyd and Eugenia Darnell Norgaard and $1,000 from Dayton Kiwanis Club. He plans to attend OSU Cascades.

Joseph Patterson received $1,000 from the John Hinchcliff/Pheasants Forever Scholarship; $500 from the Floyd and Eugenia Darnell Norgaard Scholarship and $1,000 from the Guy and Nyda Prater Scholarship.

Eve Talbott was awarded $700 from the Dayton Lions Club Vocational Scholarship and $2,000 from the Guy and Nyda Prater Scholarship.

Madison Gallardo received $1,050 from the O.A. and Marion S. White 4-H Scholarship and $500 from the Ralph and Elsa Emigh Financial Scholarship. Gallardo also will receive her Associate degree from Walla Walla Community College.

Shania Johnson-Fay heads to higher learning with $5,000; $2,000 from the Arnold Fredrickson Scholarship; $500 from the Dayton Eagles; $1,000 from the Gailord and Jean Nelson Scholarship and $1,500 from the Renton Technical College Foundational Scholarship.

Benny Bryan is enrolled at Montana State University and received $2,500 from the Dayton/Columbia County Fund; $350 from the Dayton Booster Club; $250 from the Owen and Jan Agenbroad Assistantship Fund; D.H.S Alumni Association Scholarship-$1,000; John Israel Scholarship-$1,500; Floyd and Eugenia Darnell Norgaard Scholarship-$2,500; Francis R. Spoonemore Memorial Scholarship-$750.

Junior Magill also graduated from the Oklahoma State Horseshoeing School with Professional Farrier certification last summer.

The commencement was opened by a duet of the "Star Spangled Banner" by Natalie Knudson and Skylar McCann. The Dayton High School Band, under the direction of Amy Gillick, played "Pomp and Circumstance" as the graduates processed into the gym.

The Floyd and Eugenia Darnell Norgaard Scholarship is a traditional grant to graduating Dayton seniors made possible by the generosity of the Norgaards and is intended to reward students who have exhibited outstanding achievement and to promote their future academic endeavors.

John Israel Scholarships were established in memory of John and are awarded to Dayton graduates.

John Hinchliff Pheasants are Forever Scholarships are awarded as a tribute to John and his interests in conservation.

Agenbroad Assistantships are made in honor of the late Owen and Jan Agenbroad; who were great supporters of Dayton High School students. The criteria of the scholarship is based on citizenship; community service and extracurricular activities.

Francis R. Spoonemore Memorial Scholarship is given in memory of Frances Spoonemoore; who was a life-long resident of Columbia County and a 31-year employee of the Dayton School District. The scholarship is awarded to a senior that has excelled in scholarship; leadership; and activities.

-Chronicle photo

Valedictorian Benny Bryan

Ward and Vera Hoskins Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Ward and Vera and is used to promote future academic endeavors at post high school programs by Dayton graduates.

Ben Dickinson Memorial Scholarship was created as a Memorial to the late Ben Dickinson; a self-made man who was not highly educated himself; but valued education very much and enabled all four of his daughters to receive college degrees. As a person who had to learn to take care of himself; take the initiative; and be creative in carving out a life and career in farming; these are the attributes he would have been proud of in the recipients of his scholarships.

The Kay Preston Cochran Scholarship is presented in honor of Kay Preston Cochran a 1981 Dayton High School Graduate.