Palmer High's class of 2022 celebrates with outdoor graduation

PALMER — Friends and family members cheered for Palmer High School's class of 2022 from the Machetanz Field bleachers while the sun beamed brightly down on the outdoor ceremony Tuesday night.

“You are all stronger than you think. You pushed through the past four years and you deserve to be here. Even during the ups and downs of the pandemic, you’ve shown everyone that you can do it," PHS graduate and student speaker Grace Edmison said.

Keynote speaker Mackenzie Moore offered PHS graduates some parting advice on how to deal with an unpredictable world, telling them, “the truth is that life is complicated and typically, you won’t really fully understand it until you’ve spent some time living it.”

Moore used several nautical metaphors in her speech, relating her experience working on her father’s fishing boat to illustrate broad themes to reflect on. She emphasized the importance of focusing on taking care of the smaller more digestible tasks when everything seems to add up, being prepared for anything, being willing to try things out, and remembering to let go when things don’t go according to plan.

“Whether you are looking at fish in a net, or something to do with your job or school family or whatever unforeseen thing awaits… Life is going to overwhelm you and when that happens, it helps me to know that I can work with the thing that I know how to do first. When you’re in the middle of something it can feel like it will never end and the more uncomfortable that thing is, the longer it seems to take, but you will make it through. You will make it through your worst days. The net will be cleared, and you’ll just move on. You will be able to do that,” Moore said.

PHS principal Paul Reid said that he was extremely proud of the graduating class in front of him. He said the top 20 students have a G.P.A. over 4.0, and 27 percent of the class had a G.P.A. over 3.5. He praised their hard work and achievements that shined through all the tumueltous trials and tribulations thrown their way over the last four years.

“Your high school experiences have been uncertain,” Reid said. “There are students that have clawed their way through all this adversity to make it to thus finish line here tonight. Let’s applaud them all.”

Reid said that he had faith in the graduating class’ ability to overcome the pervasively polarizing political climate since he witnessed so much compassion and community mindedness among its students.

“In many cases, our teenagers— who are supposed to learn good behavior from adults— have been better role models,” Reid said. “You don’t have to agree on everything to maintain a positive, respectful relationship. Our students are examples that this can happen. These young people sitting before me tonight have been the type of role models that we need to help heal this divide.”

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