Colony valedictorian calls for fellow graduates to take pride in their accomplishments during 2024 ceremony

WASILLA — Colony High School's Class of 2024 celebrated its graduation at the Menard Sports Center Wednesday, May 15.

Salutatorian Brayden Gallagher and Valedictorian Makenzie Edgar shared the podium to address their fellow graduates.

Gallagher marveled at his peers for overcoming a wide variety of challenges throughout their educational journeys such as the 2018 earthquake and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“Somebody once told us you'll never be able to control the ocean but you could always learn to surf. Our class has been riding the waves together through a 7.0 earthquake, online classes, a yearly changing class schedule, and restricted lunch privileges. Despite these obstacles, we've had many sports, clubs, and academic accomplishments including our football team winning state our junior year,” Gallagher said.

Edgar encouraged her fellow graduates to take pride in their accomplishments and to continue making the most out of what life throws their way.

“Our stories just go to show the way that we have and will continue to face challenges. We are not defined by the situations we've been put through but by how we choose to create good from them,” Edgar said.

Student speaker Andrew Warner stressed the importance of pursuing personal growth to avoid stagnation in adulthood.

“Everyone who is amazing now, remember to grow and be amazing in the future as well,” Warner said. “The world is waiting for you.”

Keynote speaker Trevor Townsend offered parting advice to the 2024 graduates which centered around a theme he called “step into it.”

“That is the message I want to leave you guys with tonight as seniors, is to step into it. So ‘step into what?’ you might say. Step into your future, step into your life, step into your dreams, step into your relationships, step into serving others, step into your friendships, and step into your next level of training- whatever that might be. Step into the commitment to the military, and we have several students that are doing that amongst us tonight. Step into your future employment opportunities. Most of all, step into love and step into trust,” Townsend said.

Townsend went on to the “don’t part” of his speech, offering graduates numerous words of encouragement and guidance on how to navigate through their adult lives.

“Don't sit on the sidelines of life or you'll grow lazy. Don't sit on the fence or you’ll be indecisive or you might get a sliver. Don't step backwards,” Townsend said.

Townsend took a moment to acknowledge the various staff, parents, peers, and other positive influences who helped graduates reach this major milestone.

“They stepped up for you,” Townsend said.

Townsend left the graduates with a quote by Bilbo Baggins from “The Lord of the Rings” novel: “It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you'll be swept off to.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com