As the 21 Seniors of the Broadus Class of 2023 marched into the gym in their graduation on Saturday, friends and family looked on proudly as the class took their seats and began the ceremony which would transition the students, one hour and forty minutes later, into full-fledged high school graduates.

The ceremony began with a video produced by Lauryn Billing titled "Our Class, Through the Years," which featured pictured montages and video footage from the classes upbringing in the Broadus School System.

Alex Edwards, Class Salutatorian, then welcomed parents, staff, and honored guests to the graduation with a short speech in which he thanked the staff and teachers for being stewards of the class's success, and noted that the class managed to succeed without sacrificing the things that make high school fun.

Class President Lauryn Billing then introduced the guest speaker, Guidance Counselor Dori Phillips.

Dori's speech was a bit different than the norm for high school guest speakers, as she spoke about each member of the class on a personal level, detailing some of their stories, their history, and their future.

Dori noted that the class has excelled in taking advantage of college credit while in high school to further their academic careers, with the class collectively accumulating over 270 college credits, which comes out to 90 three-credit classes.

She commented: "I think I speak for most of our staff. We are going to miss this group. They have always been an academic group. They push each other to do better, they encourage each other, and most of all they support each other.... Over the last seven years, I have cried with some of these kids, I have given my best advice, I have listened a lot, and I have laughed even more!"

A second video of the class, this time set to individual's choice in music and featuring baby pictures of each classmate, was presented.

Dori then presented several scholarships, mentioning that the class had accumulated over $168,000 in scholarships towards further education. Several members of the community then presented local scholarships.

Sophie Irish then took the stage to play a beautiful piano piece titled "Turning Page" by Sleeping at Last.

School board members Danny Krantz, Waylon Billing, and Jay Schroeder, who all had graduating seniors, presented the class with their diplomas as Superintendent Jim Hansen spoke their names.

Mercy Brost, Class of 2023 Valedictorian, then gave the farewell, commenting in a short but sweet speech on the lasting friendships made and the challenges overcome throughout the years.

With that completed, the Class of 2023 tossed their mortarboard hats into the air of the now mildly uncomfortable heat of the gym, and walked out as high school graduates.

Class of 2023 Future Plans & Scholarships:

Individuals are listed with their future plans, with the scholarships earned following.

Colton Biesheuvel will be attending Gillette College to study Diesel Mechanics. Ken Amen Memorial Scholarship-$500 Heads Up, Hearts Strong Scholarship-$500.

Lauryn Billing will be attending Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota to study Pre-Dentistry while also playing volleyball. Concordia Excellence Scholarship-Concordia College-$60,000 over 4 years, Priority Cobbler Award-$2,000 over 4 years, TRECO Scholarship-$1,000.

Solomon Bradley will be working full time this summer to save money for Black Hills State University this Fall. He would like to study Business Administration and Entrepreneurship.

Elianna “Mercy” Brost will be attending Black Hills State University to study Psychology and Music. National Honor Society Scholarship: $3,200, Miles City Elk's Lodge Scholarship-$1,000, Friends of Music Scholarship (BHSU)-$500, Basin Electric Scholarship-$1,000.

Lucinda Cain plans to take a gap year then attend college in the Fall of 2024.

Alex Edwards will be attending Montana State University-Bozeman. Music Boosters-$50.

Dillon Gee will be attending Miles Community College to obtain his CDL through a Basic Transportation Entrepreneurship class. He will also be playing basketball for the Pioneers. Pam Ware Memorial Scholarship-$2,000.

Ezra Gotfredson will be attending North Dakota State University to study Communications. PRCDHS Scholarship-$500, Amanda Gaskill Scholarship-$1, 000.

Sophie Irish will be attending Montana State University-Billings to study Criminal Justice. Range Scholarship-$2,500, TRECO Scholarship-$1,000, Music Boosters-$50, Heads Up, Hearts Strong-$500.

John Aidan Kenelly just completed his CDL and plans to drive trucks for wildland firefighters this summer. He will then go to Helena College in the Fall to study Aviation Technology and Maintenance.

Michaley Knapp plans to fight fire in the future. In the meantime she will get a job as soon as possible and make some money. VFW Patriotic Art-$60.

Abigail Krantz will be attending Dawson Community College and studying Animal Science. Volleyball Scholarship, Books and School Fees for the first year, For The Brand Foundation-$2,000, The Krantz Educational Scholarship-$20,000.

Paysen Kuhbacher will be attending Gillette College to study Diesel Mechanics. Heads Up, Hearts Strong-$500.

Marcus Mader will be attending Chadron State College to study Agri-Business. Dean’s Scholarship (CSC)-$10,000 over 4 years, Rodeo Scholarship (CSC)-$18,840 over 4 years, Range Telephone Scholarship-$2,500, Leave a Legacy Scholarship (FFA)-$1,000, TRECO Scholarship-$1,000, Music Boo-sters- $50, Kelly Compton Memorial Scholarship-$500, Amanda Gaskill Memorial Scholarship-$1,000.

Lyza McMullan will be going to Black Hills State University to study pre-nursing. Music Boosters-$50, Ken Amen Memorial Scholarship-$500.

Grayson Miller plans to join the workforce.

Colton Playle will be joining the Marine Corps, training to be a Cryptologic Language Analyst. Powder River/Carter Co Farm Bureau/Matt Korell, Mountain West FB Mutual Insurance-$500.

Collin Roberts will be attending Missoula College at the University of Montana and studying culinary arts. Pam Ware Memorial Scholarship-$2,000.

Oliveah Schaffer will be attending Black Hills State University to study Business Management and Administration. TRECO Scholarship-$1,000, Student Council Scholarship -$250.

Rheanna Schroeder will be attending Montana State University-Bozeman to study Kinesiology. She will then continue her education to study physical therapy. MSU Premier Scholarship - $8,000 over four years, Award Montana STEM - $6,000 over four years, Youth Serve Montana Scholarship - $1,500, NAPA Scholarship - $1,000, Range Telephone Scholarship-$2,500, TRECO Scholarship-$1,000, BEA Scholarship-$500, Amanda Gaskill-FFA Scholarship-$500, Powder River/Carter Co Farm Bureau/Matt Korell, Mountain West FB Mutual Insurance-$500, Student Council Scholarship-$250.

Salutatorian Alex Edwards

April Wood will be attending Casper College to study Ag Business. Pam Ware Memorial Scholarship-$2,000.