WARDEN — Ellie Thyssen had quite the resume during her tenure at Warden High School: National Honor Society inductee, 2017 salutatorian and Warden Distinguished Young Woman, not to mention she also graduated with honors during Friday night’s commencement ceremony. Even with all of those accomplishments, perhaps her most impactful moment came during her stirring speech in the Warden High School gymnasium Friday night.

“These are our stories. Our lives and our paths. People are placed before us to help us learn lessons and skills and they will always be there. Our parents and teachers are the biggest influences we have and we are influencing one another,” Thyssen proclaimed. “My fellow graduates, I am glad that I will be able to remember you.”

Thyssen and her fellow graduates certainly left their mark on Warden High School and the town of Warden. The gymnasium was packed almost to the brim Friday night, as family, friends and loved ones of the over 50 graduating seniors voiced support for the graduates. The ceremony itself resembled graduation ceremonies of the past, but what made it special was the uniqueness of the class of 2017.

“When I think about our seniors, the graduating class of 2017, it is your tenacity, your grit and your spirit that resonates with me,” Warden High School principal Courtney McCoy said. “For you are firm and gritty in your sense of character. You are persistent. I believe you have indomitable spirits. All of this will serve you well in the next stage of your life’s journey.”

That indomitable spirit, and thoughtful planning, was put on display for everyone to see at the end of the ceremony. As the graduates left the stage and filed down the center aisle, a group of students rushed to the back of the gym and grabbed previously hidden confetti cannons and shot them into the air. A fun thing to do at graduation? Most certainly. But it also went to show the camaraderie the class of 2017 shared.

“Our class may not be the closest group of people you have come across. But those times where we get together, anyone can get along with everyone. We might not always show our affection toward one another, but deep down inside we do care for each other,” valedictorian Tanner Skone said.