Poplar Holds Graduation Ceremony
Poplar High School held its commencement exercises, which featured 45 students, on Sunday, May 23.
Top students included co-valedictorians Alexus Culbertson and Keandra Martell along with salutatorian Macey (Dionne) Stump.
The graduating class included Lilliana Aguilar, Catherine Bear, Harlee Berg, Logan Boadle, Lillie Brown, Teresia Brown, Alex Buckles, Kahomani Charboneau, Alexus Culbertson, Sydney Cummins, Joseph Erickson, Angel Follette, Cordell Four Bear Jr., Abraham Frederick Jr., Sydney Granbois, Devin Gray Hawk, Inyan Growing Thunder, Laurencia Head Carrier, Seth Headdress, Wilfred Lambert, Sierra Le-May, Clay Longee, Darren Longee, Carlee Longtree, Skyla Longtree, Dusti Marottek, Keandra Martell, Kodie Mitchell, Tyler Pribbernow, Quentin Prichard, Curtis Rankin, Jayme RedBoy, Raina Red Star, Shanel Red Thunder, Leil Red Dog Jr., Justin Reddoor, Claudia Schafer, Kaelen Smith, Dakota Smith, Javan Snyder, Kalen Stump, Macey Stump, Darin Suns Goes Slow, Prariedawn Thunderchild and Christian White Owl.
In her address, Stump said that her favorite two years in high school were being a freshman and sophomore. Lives changed on March 13, 2020, when students were sent home because of COVID restrictions.
Stump said although the senior year wasn’t normal, students were able to enjoy it.
She thanked friends, family members, classmates, coaches and teachers for their support.
Culbertson said the class’ high school days were tough but rewarding times.
Activities including homecoming and games were missed and some lost family members due to COVID.
She thanked teachers and family members for their support.
“If you continue to better yourself, you’re doing something right,” Culbertson told her classmates.
Martell had administrators and school board members stand for a round of applause. “Without their dedication, our senior years wouldn’t had happened,” she said.
She thanked family members for helping her along the way.
To her brothers, Martell joked, “You might have gotten the height, but I got the brains.”
She also commended the silent heroes such as medical workers and law enforcement.
Martell urged classmates to live and challenge themselves.
Guest speaker Loren Fuhrmann, a math teacher at the school, said it was a day of reverence as the students were graduating despite the year’s challenge.
He noted the class’ motto, “Sometimes you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory,” by Dr. Seuss.
Fuhrmann mentioned memories that graduates will have of certain teachers and the school.
He said it’s not a time to be afraid, scared or sad but rather a time for them to move forward in their lives.
“It’s up to you to build your own life based on success and happiness,” he said. “If you can look me in the eye and say you’ve done your very best, I will be proud of you.”
The class made a special presentation of star quilts to Terry Falcon, Kevin Exstrom and Fuhrmann.
The graduating class included Lilliana Aguilar, Catherine Bear, Harlee Berg, Logan Boadle, Lillie Brown, Teresia Brown, Alex Buckles, Kahomani Charboneau, Alexus Culbertson, Sydney Cummins, Joseph Erickson, Angel Follette, Cordell Four Bear Jr., Abraham Frederick Jr., Sydney Granbois, Devin Gray Hawk, Inyan Growing Thunder, Laurencia Head Carrier, Seth Headdress, Wilfred Lambert, Sierra LeMay, Clay Longee, Darren Longee, Carlee Longtree, Skyla Longtree, Dusti Marottek, Keandra Martell, Kodie Mitchell, Tyler Pribbernow, Quentin Prichard, Curtis Rankin, Jayme RedBoy, Raina Red Star, Shanel Red Thunder, Leil Red Dog Jr., Justin Reddoor, Claudia Schafer, Kaelen Smith, Dakota Smith, Javan Snyder, Kalen Stump, Macey Stump, Darin Suns Goes Slow, Prariedawn Thunderchild and Christian White Owl.
