PRIEST RIVER — Priest River High Dean of Students Tommy Hansen began Saturday's graduation ceremony by stating that this class of seniors is one of the most resilient groups he's ever had the pleasure of working with.

"Surviving all the ups and down of the last three years, and then navigating life as a senior on campus in a newly combined junior/senior high school, all of these students have shown something few in their position would have," Hansen, a history teacher when the class of 2025 were freshman, said. "That's dedication — dedication to the Spartan way."

Hansen noted that the classes mentorship to younger students has been incredible to watch, and despite being saddened that they're now leaving the school, he's more confident than ever that all 46 graduates will continue to be nothing short of amazing.

"The Spartan way does not stop when you leave this building and this class will be proof of that," Hansen said.

Senior Class President Jagger Blaine reiterated that sentiment, noting that the class's growth in such short timespan has been impressive despite times of 'chaos'.

"It's a crazy, beautiful, kind of chaos," Blaine said early on in his speech about growing up so fast. "That chaos is just how life is — it's not changing for us and it won't ever change for anyone, all over the world. Don't let the chaos get you down or make you feel confused. Instead, grab onto the fact that right now is a moment to realize and define your own future... just because our class is small doesn't mean we need to lead small lives."

Salutatorian Ryan Bell was next to take to the podium, and with his speech "Lessons in Learning", reminded his fellow graduates of everything they've been through, both good and bad. Bell said whatever they case may be, in the end, they'd always have each other.

"With every moment, and every memory, comes in a new path for us to follow," Bell said near the end of his speech. "... A thank you to our levy supporters, who fought so hard and gave so much for us to be standing at this podium today. To our parents, thank you for your unwavering support, even when we were procrastinating until the very last minute... as we embark on the next chapter, let's embrace the lessons we've learned, both inside and outside of the classroom."

Valedictorian Caleb Grow, last to speak among students, said that despite failures and challenges over the years, there were not without reason and purpose.

"I sincerely hope life treats all of us well," Grow said. "Whether we're off to college, taking a gap year, going to trade school or going straight to work, no matter where we end up, we will remember one important fact — we will fail. We will fail in big ways, and in small ones, it's just part of human nature... without it, we will never learn, we will never grow, and ultimately, we'd still fail anyway. Great people have failed, but what made them great is that they didn't stop after failing, they kept going and learned from their mistakes... let's not let our failures define us, but shape each one of us to be stronger, wiser, and more ready for what's next."

    Priest River High graduate Kylee Swoboda receives her diploma from Dean of Students Tommy Hansen during Saturday's graduation ceremony.