The Geary High School class of 2021 was honored Saturday morning during a commencement ceremony in the Field House to mark the end of an unprecedented senior year.
The 12 Geary graduates were joined by family, friends, teachers and administrators from the district, as well as by former state Rep. Mike Sanders, who was the featured speaker for the day.
Class president Tucker Hicks said the graduates are “so glad that everything is starting to get back to normal.”
“While this year has certainly been challenging, it has provided us all the opportunity to grow as individuals and as a school community,” Hicks said during welcoming remarks. “I speak for everyone in my class when I say we are grateful to be here with you all.”
Sanders spoke about leadership during his address.
“Each of you 12 have leadership abilities, whether you know it or not,” Sanders told the graduates, referencing Biblical figures like Joseph and Moses to illustrate that “leadership, sometimes, comes at a great cost.”
“And sometimes it comes to the most unlikely-seeming candidates,” Sanders said.
He shared advice from his time in Oklahoma House leadership and his time serving in the George W. Bush White House.
“Never get out-worked, and never get out-hustled,” Sanders advised. “Be the first to arrive, show up every day, and be the last to leave. Make sure you’re in every meeting or conversation of importance, or at least that you know what information was shared. Gain the confidence of your leaders, but never, ever, compromise your principles or your values. … Be a statesman. That means that you seek the greater good, not just something that’s good for you personally.
“You can disagree passionately with others, but you don’t need to be terrible in the process. Listen first, and speak only when you must. Be respectful with others.”
Geary valedictorian Molly Cox grew emotional while thanking her family, teachers and supporters during her speech. “I know it hasn’t always been easy for us these past few years, but we did it,” Cox told her fellow graduates. “We all worked extremely hard to get to this point, and I can’t wait to see where we all end up in the future. I truly enjoyed having all of you as my classmates, and I’m glad it was you guys that I got to spend my high school days with.
“I wish we could’ve spent more time together, but I’m afraid that our time is up, because today is the day that we become adults. All of our hard work has paid off, and now we’re high school graduates. But this isn’t where it ends for us; we all have to work even harder to become the best we can be, and make the most out of what our lives have to offer us.”
Salutatorian Camryia Ewing also addressed the graduates.
Geary’s class of 2021 included: Cox, Ewing, Hicks, Kynsey Albiston, Michael Blackcrow, Abigail Brown, Tony Davidson, Art Lorentz, Savannah Paukei, Kelcee Standlee, Serena Williams and Izzy Yellowfish.