115 graduate from Whitefish High School

HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years AGO

Whitefish High School graduated 115 seniors with the class of 2017 during the June 3 commencement ceremony at the high school gym. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Alora Newbury shakes hands with Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt after receiving her diploma during the ceremony.

Julia Houston, Holly Hileman, Hayley Hileman and Malik Heydon leave the graduation ceremony in the gym after receiving their diplomas.

Whitefish High School graduates from the Class of 2017 walked through Muldown Elementary School and Whitefish Middle School Friday afternoon to rounds of applause and high fives. The high school hopes to make the event an annual tradition.

Solomon Ziegert, followed by Savannah Krause, gives high fives to students Friday outside Muldown Elementary School. Graduates from the Class of 2017 walked through Muldown and Whitefish Middle School to rounds of applause. The high school hopes to make the event an annual tradition. (Heidi Desch photos/Whitefish Pilot)

Whitefish High School graduates from the class of 2017 walked through Muldown Elementary School and Whitefish Middle School Friday afternoon to rounds of applause and high fives. The high school hopes to make the event an annual tradition.

Whitefish High School graduated 115 seniors with the class of 2017 during the June 3 commencement ceremony at the high school gym. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Tucker Blake makes his way to the stage June 3 during the Whitefish High School commencement ceremony at the high school gym.

Julia Houston gives the farewell address to the class of 2017. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Whitefish High School graduated 115 seniors with the class of 2017 during the June 3 commencement ceremony at the high school gym. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Members of the Whitefish High School class of 2017 toss their hats in the air June 3 outside the school following the commencement ceremony . (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Whitefish High School graduated 115 seniors with the class of 2017 during the June 3 commencement ceremony at the high school gym. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Whitefish High School graduate Sonja Ring shakes hands with Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt after receiving her diploma Saturday during the commencement ceremony at the high school gym. Whitefish graduated 115 seniors with the class of 2017. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Whitefish High School graduated 115 seniors with the class of 2017 during the June 3 commencement ceremony at the high school gym. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Alora Newbury shakes hands with Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt after receiving her diploma during the ceremony.

Julia Houston, Holly Hileman, Hayley Hileman and Malik Heydon leave the graduation ceremony in the gym after receiving their diplomas.

Whitefish High School graduated 115 seniors with the class of 2017 during the June 3 commencement ceremony at the high school gym. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Tucker Blake makes his way to the stage June 3 during the Whitefish High School commencement ceremony at the high school gym.

Julia Houston gives the farewell address to the class of 2017. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Whitefish High School graduated 115 seniors with the class of 2017 during the June 3 commencement ceremony at the high school gym. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Members of the Whitefish High School class of 2017 toss their hats in the air June 3 outside the school following the commencement ceremony . (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Whitefish High School graduated 115 seniors with the class of 2017 during the June 3 commencement ceremony at the high school gym. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Whitefish High School’s commencement ceremony Saturday focused on the memories that have been made by the seniors on their way to graduation day and the future ahead of them.

“It’s bittersweet,” graduate Julia Houston said of her feelings about graduation.

Just the day before the graduates in full cap and gown marched through the halls of Muldown Elementary School and Whitefish Middle School. The younger students cheered and asked for high fives as the graduates passed by during the event the schools hope to made a new tradition.

During that experience, Houston said she realized how fast time passes by.

“Class of 2017,” she said. “We’re growing up.”

“I’m excited to see where each of you end up,” she added. “The sky’s not the limit, it’s just the beginning.”

Family and friends packed the high school gym Saturday to cheer and celebrate with the 115 seniors to graduate with the class of 2017.

“This town will stay with us for the rest of our lives,” graduate Jeff Hyer said in summing up the many years already spent here.

Travis Catina recalled many fond memories from the class of 2017’s journey to graduation day, including the eighth grade class history trip around Montana, being a part of the school’s first football state championship since 1979 and the girls golf team state championship.

“Some memories fade, but I’ll never forget,” he said.

Principal Kerry Drown said he remembers when the class entered Whitefish Middle School and then the high school each time with nervousness, anxiousness and curiosity.

“Before me today I see you with all of that and a whole lot excitement,” he said.

Drown said every class has its own personality full of artists, scholars, actors and athletes.

“You also have strong personal character and grit,” he said.

After the graduates passed across the stage to get their diplomas, Drown pointed to a glass bowl on the stage filled with money. He said the class had just made their first donations as graduates, selecting the Nate Chute Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project to be the beneficiaries of their generosity.

Then he addressed the graduates one last time.

“I have confidence in you to take the reins and go forward and do great things,” he said.