Colony High Class of 2023 message is simple: “We are all the same.”

In a very crowded Menard Center, with standing room only, the Colony High School Seniors graduated on Wednesday evening.

The festivities kicked off as the seniors made their way through the class promenade with the CHS Drumline. Dual Masters of Ceremonies were seniors Leila Kell and Mia McCann kicked off the events, introducing fellow senior Mattison Sperry, who read her poem “’We’ to ‘You,” reminding her classmates that while transitioning into the roles of trusted adults, where things such as taxes, bills, and budgeting await, they have what it takes to tackle adulthood.

“Adulthood is scary. Adulthood has sharp teeth, but you have fangs.”

When the class Valedictorian, Calista Ousley, took to the stage to give her speech, she admitted that she was nervous, not just because of the size of the audience, but how to encapsulate that last 4 years without making it about the pandemic.

“But they were a very weird 4 years,” she told the audience.

Ousley then reflected on her alto saxophone, given to her by her parents when she was in elementary school.

“I loved that instrument to death. I practiced every day for hours on end, which I’m sure my parents really appreciated listening to. I couldn’t wait for the days when my elementary school had band practice. I still play the saxophone, and it still has a very, very special place in my heart. But over the years, as I’ve gotten older, my relationship and passion for music has changed.” She then told of how the impacts of stereotypes and biases might have changed her passion for the instrument, but the music remained.

“I lost the passion for playing the saxophone that I had when I was a kid, and I felt like I couldn’t be a part of both athletics and music. Despite this, music is still a huge part of my life.”

She went on to say that while her mother once told her that playing saxophone will be the coolest thing in her life, Ousley said she wasn’t she quite agreed, but found that being a part of the 2 very different social groups has given her a unique perspective on her high school experience and her classmates.

“We are all the same,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a varsity athlete, an AP kid, in the Arts, or ROTC. We were all just high schoolers trying to get to this ceremony.”

She concluded her speech by wishing that her fellow graduating seniors shed their previous judgements and appreciate the differences that make everyone beautiful.

After an acoustic performance by students Noah Egli, Porter Reynolds, Burton Shields, and Aiden White of “Rivers and Roads,” a farewell and hope that the rivers and roads the students might take them away, hopefully they will meet again.

Then it was time for the Keynote speaker, Assistant Principal Peter Olson, who said that last year, he was told that coming to Colony would be easy and fun.

“He was right on the second part for sure, but easy things aren’t as fun.”

Olson shared with the graduating seniors a few of the lessons that he found himself repeating to those who found their way into his office over the last year in need of recalibration after a disciplinary issue.

“Number 1, be present with your people.” In the time of FaceTime, Facebook Live, and Snapchat, there are more opportunities to connect, but that real interactions cannot be replaced.

“Number 2, 99% of problems come from miscommunication or no communication.” He advised the graduates to be upfront, have the hard discussions, and hold themselves and others accountable with clear and open communication.

“This will make you a better employee, employer, wife, husband, and friend.”

His last rule to the seniors:

“Number 3, little things turn into big things. Every decision you make is a building block to what your life will be,” Olson said, adding that a good life will reflect those good decisions. He also told them to be consistent with the little things.

With the last pieces of wisdom were given, the newest alumni of Colony High School received their diplomas and officially graduated.