Ronan seniors graduate with gratitude

SCOT HEISEL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 10 months AGO

Valedictorian Madeline McCrea addresses the class of 2021. (Courtesy of Susan Lake)

Salutatorian Tucker Lytton addresses the Ronan High School class of 2021 on Sunday. (Courtesy of Susan Lake)

Ronan senior Madyson Running Crane receives her diploma. (Courtesy of Susan Lake)

The Ronan High School Concert Band performs a processional song Sunday. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)

Girma Detwiler stands tall among his Ronan classmates. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)

Seniors line up prior to Sunday's graduation ceremony. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)

(Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)

Memory boards were displayed at the entrance of the football field Sunday. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)

Salutatorian Tucker Lytton heads to the stage for his address. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)

Bigcrane Drum performs an honor song near the start of the ceremony. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)

(Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)

RONAN — Spectators packed the stands and spilled out onto the track under clear skies Sunday at Ronan High School’s graduation ceremony, held on the football field.

Among the day’s themes was perseverance and making the most of what you have.

“Some have a story. Some have a legacy. We had a pandemic,” was the class of 2021 motto.

The event was a sendoff for 79 accomplished seniors. A full page of the program listed all the thousands of dollars in scholarships seniors had secured.

The ceremony also honored students’ volunteer achievements, with various colors of honor cords representing levels of service, from 50 to 200 hours.

This year’s ceremony also included a large digital board as a background to the podium, with photo montages and messages streaming prior to the ceremony.

Madeline McCrea served as 2021 valedictorian, while Tucker Lytton was salutatorian. Each addressed their classmates Sunday.

Rich Janssen Jr., a member of the class of 1988 and current member of the board of trustees, delivered a keynote address during the ceremony, which opened with an honor song from Bigcrane Drum.

The Ronan High School Concert Band also performed on the field throughout the ceremony.