Colony graduates 226

PALMER — The Colony High School class of 2021 walked across the stage on Pride Field at Colony High in front of nearly 3,000 spectators on Wednesday. After a year in which graduation ceremonies were held virtually, the blustery wind at Colony High could not blow away the smiles of the 226 Knight graduates.

“This senior class is a very special group. We say that every year but you guys are very special,” said Principal Brendon McMahon. “I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we feel for what you have persevered through during these past 400 plus days of the pandemic. You’ve all grown up, you’ve missed out on a lot of events, rites of passages that previous classes took for granted and you guys forged ahead and completed your high school education. In many ways the uncertainty that you have all learned to work through is a preview of what is to come as you make your way into adulthood. As your parents and your grandparents will tell you, life is filled with uncertainties and the class of 2021 is prepared like no other. On behalf of all of us at Colony High School, we cannot say enough about how you have all worked through this pandemic as students and as people with a positive attitude and carried yourself with spirit and determination to graduate as a class act.”

The 226 graduates took up nearly half of Pride Field as the stands were packed with spectators on Wednesday night. Garrett Streit gave his valedictory address, providing words of wisdom to his fellow graduates in a humorous speech.

“I want to ask us all to think for a moment what does the right path look like for you? Defining success for yourself is the first step in figuring out what route to take. Let’s start by breaking it down, first figure out what you want in life and then find a way to get it. It’s pretty simple,” said Streit.

Streit provided anecdotes that came from harrowing tales of his first week as a licensed driver and it was later revealed during staff speaker Nathan Boleen’s remarks that Streit attempted to quote himself in an AP Seminar paper this year. Streit provided classmates with his “40 percent rule,” stating that when you feel like you cannot go any longer, you have only used 40 percent of your potential. Streit’s three keys for life after graduation were to identify what individual success looks like, figure out how to attain it, and embrace setbacks along the way as learning opportunities.

“Life moves pretty fast if you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it, so have some fun and look back upon this time in life knowing that we lived life to its fullest. Hopefully you enjoyed my parting words of wisdom and I wish all of us the best luck on whatever path you decide to venture down, but please don’t forget to do something that you have defined on your own terms and not someone else’s,” said Streit.

The packed house was treated to a cover of Coldplay by Michaella Morris and McMahon certified the class to Mat-Su Borough School District Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Justin Ainsworth and School Board Member Tom Bergey.

“I’ve watched so many seniors in front of me grow up from the sophomores they were when I joined the colony high staff three years ago. I have not forgotten what your faces looked like behind your masks even if I don’t know what my current students’ faces look like,” said Boleen. “I promise that’s my only covid reference.”

Boleen spoke about the difficulties and hardships he personally has overcome in recent years and implored graduates to look past their walk across the stage to life beyond high school. Boleen harkened back to running the last mile of the first triathlon he ever completed with tears streaming down his face. Despite the emotions and the wind picked up by the microphone, Boleen maintained his composure throughout his heartfelt words to graduates.

“My failures were not fatal. The life you are about to enter does just this. You realize that you are right at the cusp, the tip of something, a milestone, accomplishing your biggest dreams and that is your chance to think. After you finish the race, the life event the graduation, there will be accolades and recognitions, there will be dinner parties and celebrations but by yourself in the moment where you are about to finish the race or accomplish the milestone you have a chance to imagine, to dream and in this moment you will feel like you can conquer any obstacle. You will feel ready to pursue the next goal, to be anyone. Relish that feeling, step into it. Soak it up like a sponge. You won’t be dwelling on all the hard work and dedication that led to that point. You will be thinking of the next metaphorical or literal mountain to climb, the next goal to work for. You will fully believe you have what it takes to get you to that moment. You know this because you had enough to get to this moment right now. You are in that last mile, you are wrapping up this one milestone in your life. Take a moment right now to think of the people that have had some impact on you,” said Boleen. “Failure is rarely fatal so fail forward and take the last mile to dream.”