Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
The Kimball High School band played “Pomp and Circumstance” as the 25 seniors marched into the gym for their final time as KHS students. The senior class was led by valedictorian Katie Heeg and salutatorian Riley Hinton.
Kimball High School’s graduation ceremony was Saturday, May 14. The crowd was welcomed by class president Gideon Casimiro. Next, senior Amy Birkhofer sang the National Anthem.
Superintendent Trevor Anderson recognized the top 10 % of the class academically – including Heeg and Hinton.
Hinton spoke about the community and its support.
“Our community is definitely more than just a community,” she said. “I would say I would consider everyone part of my family. When one person succeeds, the whole community is celebrating. The support from our community for the kids in high school is amazing. We will never forget the town of Kimball, where we all grew up.”
Hinton then thanked the teachers and shared some special and funny memories about them. Finally, with a bit of emotion in her voice, Hinton told how special each family member was to her.
Her advice for her classmates was, “Other people will always push you to be one thing or another, but one thing I’ve learned is you always have to stay true to yourself and follow your own mission and dreams in order to achieve success.”
Heeg’s address included amusing stories from elementary, junior high and high school years. A top-notch high school athlete in golf, basketball and track, she said, “I remember all the hours spent on seasonal sports, and I will miss the competitive aspect.”
She explained that she has enjoyed the freedom and independence of high school.
A senior slideshow brought laughs from the graduates, but just a short time later, the seniors were shedding tears as they presented roses to family members, teachers, and special friends.
And finally came what they had been waiting for – the presentation of their high school diplomas. They ended the 2022 graduation ceremony with a toss of the mortarboard hat to celebrate.