By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Sunday was a perfect spring day as the Centre community, relatives, and friends turned out to congratulate the class of 2023.

Academic leaders of the junior class — Leah Brunner, Karsen Kroupa, Addie Makovec, and Allie Stuchlik — served as escorts.

Eleven of the 57 graduates from Centre’s Kansas Online Learning Program joined nine seniors.

After the processional, the high school choir was joined by the audience in singing, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Several seniors were involved in the program.

Matthew Basore gave the invocation and Brooklyn Smith welcomed the crowd and spoke to the graduates. She told them to get out of their comfort zones, stay pleasant, and be their best.

Anthony Rziha introduced guest speaker Miranda McMichael, and Julia Brunner gave her a bouquet of flowers afterward.

McMichael, the school counselor, advised graduates to realize that just because they had a bad day did not mean they would have a bad life.

She encouraged them to have dreams.

“Dreams drive us,” she said. “They make us get up in the morning and work hard. Don’t listen to people who say you can’t fulfill your dream. Find something you are passionate about, and always be yourself.”

Brooklyn recognized Tim Vinduska as her “teacher of influence.” She was his assistant, and she said he gave her a love for history. She also learned that she didn’t ever want to be an athletic director.

Parents and grandparents were recognized, and Brooklyn was announced as a Kansas Governor’s Scholar.

After receiving diplomas, graduates presented flowers to their parents. They threw their caps in the air as principal Trevor Siebert officially announced their graduation.

In a receiving line afterward, one graduate got a hug and tears from a paraprofessional who had assisted him for several years.

Another graduate was fussed over by a woman who had worked with her at Salem Home.

It was an exciting and emotional time of transition from one stage of their lives to another.

One graduate plans to pursue a job, three plan to attend a technical school, one a two-year school, and three a four-year school.