Nineteen High School Seniors entered the High School on Saturday afternoon, to emerge sometime later as fully fledged adult human high school graduates.

Following a prelude by the High School Band and processional of the graduating Seniors, 2019 Class Salutatorian Alessandro Galieni welcomed the gathered crowd of students, friends, family, and faculty to the graduation.

2019 Class President Kye Stanley then introduced the guest speaker for the ceremony – Broadus Teacher Jesse Barnhart.

Barnhart told some interesting anecdotes about the class, and spoke of how important the study of history is in understanding yourself and the world around you. He commented: "If we didn't study history, would we understand the sacrifice of George Washington and his shoeless troops at Valley Forge?" Barnhart went on: "Remember the words of Thomas Jefferson, it will take an educated people to form a democracy."

His speech was not without a good amount of lighthearted commentary, as he quickly followed up with the story of a father with a somewhat unambitious son. The father tried to motivate the son from his nearly endless TV watching by saying "Son, did you know by the time George Washington was your age, he was a surveyor?", to which the son replied "Yes Dad, by the time he was your age he had won the war and become President."

Barnhart then spoke about methods for the students to fail in life. "Many people can tell you about ways you can succeed, I'm going to show you how to succeed at failure," he said.

He hit on four main points:

1. You will fail if you don't listen to that little voice in the back of your mind that tells you right from wrong. When making decisions, ask that little voice if the choice you plan to follow is logical and reasonable. Make good decisions.

2. You will fail if you don't take care of your health. The complicated structure that is the human body takes proper fuel, exercise, and rest. Read to educate your mind. Stay healthy.

3. You will fail if you're inconsiderate to others and build yourself up at the expense of others. We must share this planet with billions of other folks, and we can't be intolerant of others just because they look different, have different beliefs, or speak different than us. Remember that we are just as different to them.

4. You will fail if you can't adapt to a dramatically changing world. You are facing exciting times but there will be challenges.

He finished: "You're all bright and good looking, but remember, hard work is what gets you through life."

Following a loud ovation by the crowd, the Senior video was shown, featuring the class's senior and baby pictures.

Next, Guidance Counselor Dori Phillips began the presentation of scholarships. She noted that over $220,000 in scholarships had been awarded to this class, subsequently awarding a number of scholarships to students of the class, including the Frankie George Scholarship, the Ken Amen Scholarship, the CTD Memorial Scholarship, and several large scholarships to Hannah Rasmussen, which included the Horatio Alger Scholarship, the MSU Honors Scholarship (A prestigious award which only goes out to 100 Montana Seniors per year), and the Hagen Scholarship.

Incoming Student Council Luke Herzog then presented the Student Council Scholarships, Jim Collins presented the TRECO scholarships, which included the Education Roundup Scholarship – a fund that all TRECO customers may "round up" a dollar or two per month into on their bill. Collins was followed by Lisa Lynch with the Music Boosters Scholarships.

Jesse Barnhart then returned to the stage to present the Broadus Education Association Scholarship.

Frankie Schoonover finished up the scholarship presentation by awarding the FFA Scholarships, and the Amanda Gaskill Memorial Scholarship.

The class then trooped across the stage to receive their diplomas from Superintendent Jim Hansen, with help from School Board Members Amanda Zimmer and Lori Fortner.

Class Valedictorian Hannah Rasmussen then gave the class their farewell speech, where she spoke about the class being thankful, successful, and determined. They looked out for each other, worked together when needed. They were kind to each other and know how to have fun, and have become successful already in their school careers. She spoke of how these attributes were not always something the class possessed, but they have collectively learned these skills through their years together as a class in Broadus.

Rasmussen then led the class in tossing their hats in the air...and just like that, another Broadus graduating class stepped out into the world, ready to face all the challenges they are sure to meet. We wish them the best of luck.

Here are a list of plans and scholarships received by each member of the Class of 2019.

Troy Amsden will be attending Montana State University-Northern in Havre. He will be joining the golf team while he studies for his electrical technology degree to be an apprentice electrician. He received the MSU Northern Golf Scholarship for $2,000 renewable x 4.

Brooke Burley will be attending Montana State University-Billings to study criminology and psychology. She received the MSU-B Yellowjacket Excellence Scholarship-$750 and Eastern Montana Yellowjacket Scholarship-$500.

Maclain Cathey will be attending Montana State University in Bozeman. He has a rodeo scholarship and will be studying civil engineering. Maclain received the MSU Premier Scholarship-$1,000, Range Telephone Scholarship-$2,500, MSU Rodeo Scholarship-3,640 renewable x 4, MSU College of Engineering Scholarship-$500, CTD Memorial Scholarship-$500, FFA-Amanda Gaskill Memorial Scholarship-$500, and the Student Council Scholarship-$100.

Kiarah Coulter will be attending Rocky Mountain College in Billings. She will be a member of the Battling Bears volleyball team and studying to be an athletic trainer. She received the Range Scholarship-$2,500, RMC Volleyball Scholarship-4,500 renewable x 4, RMC Dean's Presidential Scholarship, 13,000 renewable x 4, CTD Memorial Scholarship-$500, TRECO scholarship-$1,000, BEA-$250, Ken Amen Memorial-$500, Student Council-$100, Music Boosters-$50.

Kylee Drane will be attending Black Hills State University in Spearfish to study psychology. Scholarships include Black Hills State University, Psychology, BHSU Buzz Bonus-$500, Music Boosters-$50.

Thomas Drane will be attending Montana Tech in Butte to be a lineman. His scholarships include: Montana Tech/Highlands College Chancellor's Application of Excellence Scholarship-$500, TRECO-Lineman's Scholarship-$2,500.

Alessandro Galieni will be returning to Italy this summer. He has one more year of school there before he pursues a career in the medical field.

Kashus Giacometto will be attending Sheridan College to study diesel mechanics. He received the TRECO-Education Roundup Scholarship for $1,000.

Tate Harmon will be attending Dõna Ana Community College in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He has joined the rodeo team and will work on an Equine Science degree. He received the Dõna Ana Community College Rodeo Scholarship-$6000 renewable x 2, Otter Creek Invitational Scholarship-$1,000, PRCDHS-$250.

Larry and Mason Hunt are both enlisting in the Air Force.

Clay LaPlant will be attending City College in Billings to study Fire Science. Clay's scholarships include: MSU-Billings Eastern Montana Yellowjacket Scholarship-$250, CTD Memorial Scholarship-$500.

Keelyn Murdoch will be attending Miles Community College in Miles City to study business. She received the Amanda Gaskill Memorial Scholarship-$1,000 renewable x 2, and Music Boosters-$50.

Hannah Rasmussen will be attending Montana State University in Bozeman to study business. She has been chosen to join the cheer team. Hannah received a number of scholarships, including: MSU Premier Scholarship-$2,500, Reach Higher Scholarship-$1,000, National Honor Society Scholarship-$3,200, Horatio Alger Scholarship-$10,000, Montana University System Honors Scholarship-$5,000 renewable x 4, Hagan Scholarship-$12,000 renewable x 4, Range Scholarship-$2,500, TRECO-Member's First Scholarship-$1,000, BEA-$250.

Hunter Robinson will be attending Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota and then plans to transfer to the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City to study civil engineering.

Jason Standing Elk, Jr. will be attending Montana Tech in Butte to study civil engineering.

Kye Stanley will be attending the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota to study Political Science and Pre-Law. Kye received the Student Council Scholarship-$100, U of M Sr. Thomas Welder Academic Scholarship-$4,500, and Music Boosters Scholarship-$50.

Donovan Sturtz will be attending Gillette College in Gillette, Wyoming to study computer science. His scholarships include: PRCDHS-$250, Amanda Gaskill Memorial Scholarship - $1,000 renewable x 2;

Long-time Broadus Teacher Jesse Barnhart was the Guest Speaker at the 2019 Broadus High School Graduation. Barnhart spoke to the class about history and how to succeed at failure. He will be missed after his retirement at the end of the school year.

Dalton Wahl will be attending Miles Community College in Miles City to be a radiologic technician.