'Keep on climbing': The keynote speaker's message to the Palmer High graduates

Palmer High School counselor and keynote speaker Benjamin Tichenor drew a variety of inspiration as he addressed more than 120 graduates during Palmer’s 2024 commencement ceremony Tuesday evening on Machetanz Field.

Rudy Ruettiger, Curtis Mayfield, Robin Williams and shoes.

Football, soul music, comedy and footwear.

But Tichenor found a way to weave it all together.

“Keep on climbing. Keep on moving. Keep on keeping on,” he said.

“Keep on keeping on,” a reference to a Curtis Mayfield soul hit from 1972 was the reference, but “keep on climbing” was the root of his message.

“I’m talking about climbing the mountains of who you are and who you are destined to be,” Tichenor said, as he referenced their journey from elementary school through high school.

Tichenor quizzed the crowd of blue seated before the stage about the mountains in the backdrop of Machetanz Field.

Pioneer Peak. Lazy Mountain. Matanuska Peak.

“It is fitting we are on the best football field in the state with the best views in the world,” he said.

Tichenor opened with his routine on the morning announcements, “Good morning Palmer High,” much like Robin Williams in the flick, ironically made before anyone in the class of 2024 was born, “Good Morning Vietnam.”

Tuesday, Tichenor flipped the script.

“Good evening Palmer High.”

He closed with the story of Rudy, the true story of a pint-sized midwestern kid with a lifelong dream of playing football for his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Rudy defied the odds to play for the storied program.

But overall, Tichenor’s message stood on the shoes.

“You may notice I’m wearing incorrect shoes tonight. They are my running shoes, my hiking shoes,” he said as he trotted across the stage. “I wore them intentionally. The reason why I wore them is this I want you to remember your journey is your own. Yes you are all dressed the same. You've got the same blue graduation gowns on. But look you are all wearing different shoes.

“You all have a different story, different journey, a different destiny,” he added. “And you have carried yourself thus far. Take a look at your shoes and remember whatever the uncharted journey that's in front of you, whatever the mountain you race, whatever the goal that's in front of you, keep on climbing.”

Brinley Keller was the master of ceremonies and a class speaker. Adeleine Charton, Ashlyn Jensen and Deric Medley were also class speakers.

Medley said embrace awkwardness as he told a story about how his two best friends duped him as a youngster.

“Fifth grade band class I met Jack and Henry Stroup, who if you don’t know are my two best friends. After asking if they were twins they said no, they weren’t even related. Despite being identical red-headed twins I believed them.” Medley said. “Looking back on it, it was a hilarious reminder of childlike naivety and innocence. But behind laughter there’s a deeper lesson to be learned. It serves as a testament to the humility of acknowledging my mistakes and embracing the awkwardness of growth.”

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frontiersman.com.