Caps Fy

The pandemic and all of its obstacles could not stop the College Place High School Class of 2021 from crossing the stage Saturday night in a 7:00 p.m. ceremony held in a social-distanced Hawks Stadium.  CPHS hosted the event inviting guests to sit in their designated area on the football field while the graduates flipped the script and sat in the stands before crossing the stage.  The ceremony was the first ever held outside in the football stadium and the warm, clear night set the perfect backdrop for sending out a class that had endured nearly a year and a half of hardship brought on by the pandemic.

One hundred and eight graduates received their high school diplomas during the ceremony celebrating all that they had accomplished and all they had overcome.  The Class of 2021 was only the fourth graduating class in the history of the school and celebrated that over the course of the night.  Principal Robert Aguilar acknowledged the hardship faced by the class, “You have been challenged, strengthened, and humbled by enduring a global pandemic these last two years,” but stated that because of their perseverance that the class “will do great things.”

The Valedictorian for the Class of 2021 was Avery Hallstad and the Salutatorian Crystal Rowley.  Also, receiving awards on the night were Athletes of the Year Soaring Hawk recipients Madilyn Neil and Dallin Hawkins.  The Hawk Award for all around demonstration of what it means to be a Hawk went to Cristal ibarra.  

Staff member McKenzie Maxwell, who was selected to address the graduating Class of 2021, praised them for their perseverance and encouraged them to find who they are.  Maxwell stated, “I can promise you that if you don’t fully know who you are or what you want to do with your life, you have time.  There’s no deadline for knowing yourself.  It’s a lifelong journey.”

Student speakers Cinthya Mesa, Rylie Dial, and Juan Madrigal reflected on their four years at CPHS as a “roller coaster ride” as Dial stated, and a time of great support from staff and family.  The speakers reflected on the challenges afforded them in CPHS’s project-based learning environment challenging them to grow stronger, overcome their fears, and to “shoot for the moon.”   

After a “drive-thru” graduation for the Class of 2020, CPHS was happy to be able to have the in-person celebration for the graduates.  Following local guidelines, fully vaccinated staff and visors were able to be mask-free and students received their diplomas in a mask-free environment from fully vaccinated CPPS Board Members.  Said CPPS Board Chair Mandy Thompson, “Just as we have fought through every obstacle this year, we did again to get these students the graduation they deserved.  We were proud to be able to recognize these students tonight.”

*The District apologizes for an issue with the live feed of the ceremony and will post a recording of the ceremony soon.