As attendees entered the PRCDHS gym on Saturday to attend the graduation ceremony for the Broadus Class of 2022, Mother Nature serenaded the class with a pleasant rain storm, being so kind as to clear up by the time the event was over, saving eventgoers' finery from the ravages of the storm.

The 16 member Senior class entered the gym to the Pomp and Circumstance processional march, played masterfully by the Broadus High School Band.

After the class and audience were seated, Class Salutatorian Lea Aye delighted the audience and her classmates with her speech, and commented on how it was difficult to find Johnny Richards, as Johnny made his staged entrance from behind the podium. Aye spoke of individual anecdotes from each of her classmates, relating humorous tales from each of their pasts, from Kindergarten until senior year.

Lea also related stories of many of the class's interactions with the high school teachers, and countering with the following quote:

"Needless to say, I think we've learned a lot. Maybe not what the school wants us to learn but we learned about life. We still aren't quite house trained even though Ms. Jacy really tried hard. But today we will be entering the fabled 'real world' armed with all the knowledge learned in school to prepare us for it, like adding letters, analyzing eighteenth-century literature, identifying mitochondria, you know, things adults do all the time in their daily lives."

The crowd laughed heartily at the last remark.

Savannah Weaver then took the stage to introduce the guest speaker, the Class of 2022's advisor and as Savannah described her: "Our class mom for six years," English Teacher Jacy Collins.

Jacy's speech focused on the class's loyalty to one another, their determination, and their passion.

She commented: "Graduating Seniors, you are a loyal group. There have been days when the world was turned upside down. Each and every one of you extended your support and concern. You made a difference because of your big hearts and how strong you are. You look out for one another, support one another and take care of one another as well as those you know need support."

Collins went on to emphasize the need to find loyalty within new support systems as the class goes out into the world.

Jacy continued: "I have seen you all have to deal with many issues and overcome obstacles because of your determination. You have been down and risen from it better and stronger. I now know, you will find a way around any obstacle, given the right opportunities and right situation because you are determined and passionate.

She summed up her speech with six pieces of advice:

1. When you receive advice - listen to it. That doesn't mean you have to take it, but listen.

2. Be kind, to anyone and everyone. You never know when you will need the same kindness.

3. Be adventurous not dangerous - travel, have fun, enjoy new things, step out of your bubble.

4. Be truthful and always do the right thing. Be someone you are proud of and someone people are willing to come to for help or advice.

5. Learn early to balance your social life with academics and/or job - only you can hold yourself accountable now.

6. Go to class or to your job - even when you don't want to go.

Savannah Weaver then presented the Senior Video, with baby and senior pictures of each classmate, set to the music of their choice.

Guidance Counselor Dori Phillips then presented some facts about the class, noting that two of the 16 in the class would be attending four year colleges in the fall, eight would be attending two year, technical schools, or other training, and six from the class would be entering the workforce, with one, Josiah Middle Rider, planning on entering the military.

12 of the students had already taken college credits through the programs available in Broadus, receiving a total of around 100 credits so far, a feat which will likely save the students and their parents a lot of money and time down the road.

Dori then gave out the Ken Amen Scholarship and PRCDHS Scholarship, and introduced the next local scholarship presenter, Rheanna Schroeder, who gave out the Student Council Scholarship. Other presenters followed, including Lisa Lynch, who gave out the Music Boosters Scholarships, Erick Myers, the Broadus Education Association Scholarship, Charlee Kuhbacher and Hannelore Olson, who gave out a scholarship from St. Vincent de Paul's, noting that future graduates would be eligible for scholarship money by volunteering at the store. Jimmy Collins then gave out scholarships from TRECO and Basin Electric. JJ McDowell presented the Powder River/Carter County Farm Bureau Scholarship. Shavon Harmon presented the Pam Ware Memorial Coyote Hunt Scholarship. Clayton Scott presented the Amanda Gaskill FFA Scholarship, Brett Emmons gave out the Heads Up Hearts Strong Scholarship in memory of Kenna, Cale, and Caty Emmons, and Frankie Schoonover presented the Amanda Gaskill Memorial Scholarship. More info on who received the scholarships is presented at the end of this article.

Broadus Schools Superintendent Jim Hansen then called up each member of the class to the stage, where they were presented with their diplomas by School Board Trustee Waylon Billing.

Abigail Martin, Class of 2022 Valedictorian, then gave the farewell speech; a short but sweet treatise commenting on how her class members are now set to forge their own paths going forward.

As a finale to the graduation, Graduating Senior Josiah Middle Rider, dressed in a Native American headdress, went up onstage accompanied by Gary Middle Rider and Sage Shoulderblade. The trio then sent the class off in style, as they performed a traditional Northern Cheyenne ceremonial send-off. As the trio finished up their moving performance, the class sent their hats skyward, and they were officially graduates.

The class then exited the gym to the tune of Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It", an apt tune for a class which could be at times troublesome, always independent, and now, free to explore the world.

Future Plans and Scholarships

Lea Aye, Salutatorian, will be studying Nursing and Ag Business at Dickinson State University. She has signed with the Blue Hawks to golf and participate in band. Her scholarships include: Leave a Legacy (FFA)-$1,000, TRECO (Youth Tour Scholarship)-$1,000, TRECO-$1,000, Basin-$1,000, Serve Montana-$1,200, BNSF Railway Foundation Scholarship (FFA)-$5,000, Presidential Scholarship, Dickinson State University-$1,600 renewable x4, Band Scholarship Dickinson State University-$500 renewable x4, Golf Scholarship Dickinson State University-$1,000 renewable x4, Range Telephone-$2,500, St. Vincent's-$500, Amanda Gaskill (FFA) Scholarship-$500, Music Boosters Scholarship-$50, MT Farm Bureau Scholarship-$500, Pam Ware Memorial-$2,000, Student Council-$250.

Wyatt Gee will be attending Choice Aviation in Cody, Wyoming to get his commercial helicopter license.

Abbie Heacock has already obtained her childcare license to work with pre-elementary children in the daycare setting. She will continue her education through Child Care Training (CCT) yearly. She is currently employed locally.

Dakota Holbrook will be attending Gillette College to study Diesel Technology and Commercial Welding. His scholarships include: Ken Amen Memorial Scholarship-$500, Heads Up Hearts Strong-$500.

Zander Hubler will be attending the Arrowhead School of Forgery in Buffalo, Wyoming. At a later date, he also plans to attend the New England School of Metalworking.

Corbin Irish will be attending Mitchell Technical College in Mitchell, South Dakota to obtain his Lineman Certificate in Powerline Construction and Maintenance. He plans to work as a traveling lineman. His scholarships include: TRECO-$1,000, TRECO-Linema Schol-arship-$2,500, Amanda Gaskill Memorial Scholarship-$1,000.

Shannon Knapp will be taking a year off to get work experience while deciding which career would be the best fit for her. She received a Music Boosters Scholarship-$50

Seth McDowell will be attending Miles Community College in Miles City, Montana and starting with his generals. Seth received a MT Farm Bureau Scholarship-$500.

Abigail Martin, Valedictorian, will be studying Nursing at Miles Community College in Miles City, Montana.Her scholarships include: Broadus Education Association (BEA)-$250, Ken Amen Memorial Scholarship-$500.

Josiah Middle Rider will be doing farm/ranch work this summer and then serving in the military. He received a scholarship from Heads Up Hearts Strong-$500.

Johnny Richards will make millions and be happy.

Kori Richards will be attending True Colors Cosmetology in Gillette, Wyoming to get certified as a nail technician. Her scholarships include: Broadus Education Association (BEA)-$250, Amanda Gaskill Memorial Scholarship-$1,000, Pam Ware Memorial-$2,000.

Lacey Robinson will be studying Business Management at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. Her scholarships include: TRECO-$1,000, TRECO-Education Roundup-$1,000, Music Boosters Scholarship-$50, Student Council-$250.

Kaydin Trent will be going straight to the workforce.

Savannah Weaver will be getting married in June and living in Ekalaka for a few years. She plans to still attend college at a later date.

Class of 2022 Valedictorian Abigail Martin speaks at graduation on Saturday.

Laci Wood will be studying Business Management at Mitchell Technical College in Mitchell, South Dakota. Laci received the PRCDHS Scholarship-$500.