Poplar Holds Graduation Ceremony
Poplar High School saluted this year’s graduates with its 107th annual commencement exercises on Sunday, May 21.
The class of 44 included valedictorian Josiah Sherman and salutatorian Phillip LeMay.
Poplar Middle School Principal Morgan Norgaard served as guest speaker and explained how things don’t always go according to plan. When he graduated from Poplar in 2006, his plan was to become a linebacker for the Denver Broncos, love the single life and become a millionaire.
“I planned to take it easy, not work too hard and enjoy life,” he laughed.
He has now been married for nine years and has three children. “And I’m far, far from being a millionaire,” Norgaard said. He added that he doesn’t regret a single bit of it.
He noted success is determined by how you handle change. He said the graduates already have made significant steps as their classes have taught them how to adapt to the future.
In his address, LeMay talked about how he gained confidence during his high school days. He said that time is valuable and people shouldn’t worry about little things.
LeMay said that a good, positive attitude makes life easier.
In his speech, Sherman explained that each classmate has their own unique experiences. He noted how COVID changed and molded each of them.
He urged his classmates not to be afraid to take on new opportunities.
Sherman led the ceremony in a moment of silence for classmate Elijah Grey Bear, who passed away in October of 2021.
Scholarship winners were announced during the ceremony. Winners of Brayden Jackson Memorial Scholarships were Morgen Nordwick, Jazmyn CarryWater, Reinita Irizarry, Allen Russell III and Rylee Marottek. CarryWater earned Dickinson State College athletic and presidential scholarships. Receiving Elijah Grey Bear scholarships were Jazmyn Gorder, Gracelyn Medicine Cloud, Preston Ogle and Cayana Adams. Earning Mike Huss scholarships were Carrywater, Adams and Ogle. Sherman and Adams won the Patty Bird Memorial Scholarship. Adams received the Rocky Mountain Merit scholarship and Thomas Holt Wynia-American Legion Scholarship.
The class included Cayana Adams, DeAnna Atkinson, Keyden Baker, Dean Big Leggins, TeeJay Brown, Kya Buckles, Jazmyn CarryWater, Nolan Crawford, Madison Dehner, Rakwon Dukes, Kadence First, Paul Four Bear, Nisa Genia, Ernie Granbois III, Wanbdi Growing Thunder, Jachob Hoke, Cru Headdress, Joseph Howard, Devlyn Hopkins, Reinita Irizarry, Blessing Iron Cloud, Michael Jerome, Thomas Jerome, Mia Jones, Phillip LeMay, Kordell Lew-Irwin, Dominic Longee, Passion Longee, Aaliyah Longtree, Ameri Lorentz, Rylee Marottek, Nevaeha Montclair, Morgen Nordwick, Preston Ogle, Jude Reddoor, Samilynn Red Star, Morgan Russell, Allen Russell III, Josiah Sherman, Charles Smith, Tiki Spotted Wolf, Dorrance Steele, Michael Young and the late Elijah Grey Bear.
