By Lyndsie Ferrell
CREEDE— On Thursday, May 24, the Creede School gym was filled with family and friends of the three seniors preparing for their last high school event, graduation. The stage was decorated in beautiful flowers, blue and white banners, streamers and decorations covered the area and a personal touch from the students stood on and around the stage. The entire graduation ceremony was conducted under the watchful eye of non-other than Darth Vader himself.
The ceremony began with a video of all three graduates through life, shown with their favorite songs playing along with a collage of photos of them growing up. Everything from playing in the mud at four to getting ready for prom at 16 flashed across the screen as family and friends laughed and watched the three graduates grow from young toddlers to young adults.
Creede has always been a small school and because of this, the students not only grow up together, become friends, but also become family as well, and it was apparent throughout the entire graduation how close the students have become over the years and was reiterated in their speeches. Christian King, Finn Leggitt and Olivia Madrid didn’t always get along, but the memories they share will last a lifetime.
“When you come to Creede, once you’re in, you’re in forever and become part of the family, that is what this school is made of. The teachers did everything they could to make sure that we could succeed. I look around the room today and see some of the best friends I could have ever had. The friends I have made here will never be forgotten,” said Valedictorian Leggitt as he addressed his family, friends and graduating seniors.
Leggitt continued to talk about his time at Creede, having dressed up as Danny and Sandy from the movie Grease with Olivia Madrid and all the memories he had with his friends and classmates. “Guys, we made it, I hope we can continue to share our success well into the future. My family pushed me to be the best that I could be and I am grateful,” said Leggitt.
Next, Madrid, salutatorian for the class of 2018, took the mic and addressed her classmates, speaking about her time as a triple athlete. Madrid thanked both Kim Fairchild and Nancy Leggitt for their help in making her be3come the athlete she was today. “I know that they will always be there for me no matter what. Thanks to them, I am an athlete and I am grateful,” said Madrid.
“Mom, I want to thank you for always being there and dad, thank you for all the wonderful adventures. We are three extremely lucky people because of our experience here at Creede, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us,” said Madrid.
Congratulations, class of 2018!