New Buffalo Class of 2024 Celebrated at Commencement | News

NEW BUFFALO — The New Buffalo High School Class of 2024 was recognized for its many accomplishments and challenged to make a positive impact on the world in the future during the June 2 commencement exercises.

“We are very proud of your accomplishments and we are proud that you are Bison,” said co-class advisor Kurt Raducha, mentioning numerous student accomplishments in areas ranging from Student Senate and the Building Trades program to athletics, robotics and peer mentoring.

Tina Keller was the other class advisor.

“In this speech, I could have mentioned our seniors several times in several categories for all the activities and achievements in which they participated. But it would be an evening in itself,” he said.

“We hear a lot of people say that the younger generation doesn’t have what it takes. Looking at those in front of me, I couldn’t disagree more. I have absolute confidence in this group of graduates. I am excited to see you take on leadership roles in your community, in business, in government, in the workforce, in the military, in your faith community, or wherever life takes you. I couldn’t have more confidence in this group of young people and I’m proud to be associated with you,” Raducha said. “Class of 2024, I tell you. No matter where life takes you, know that you have friends here, people who care about you and know that you have a home here in New Buffalo. Be proud of who you are, be proud of what you have accomplished. And always be proud to be a bison.

In her senior class speech, Libby Lamport said she was proud to be part of one of the highest-achieving classes to ever graduate from New Buffalo.

“Each of us should be proud of everything we have accomplished. We all have our own accomplishments and I hope you all realize that you each have much to be proud of,” she said.

Over the past four years, Lamport said none of the students have had a completely “normal” high school experience. They were able to persevere thanks to all the little communities formed with each other.

“I’ve known a lot of people in this class since kindergarten, and I know it’s going to be really weird not seeing them next year once we go our separate ways. Even for people who have joined our class recently, it feels like they have been a part of our school for years.

By learning more about the people they have spent the last few years with, Lamport said members of the Class of 2024 have also learned more about ourselves.

“As we look to the future, I also encourage you to remember our experiences today as fundamental to our future lives. Thank you so much for the difference you all made in mine and of course congratulations! »

Members of the Class of 2024 are: Andres Becerra, Jaydon Berger, Elliott Bourne, Keri Ann Chlystun, Jordan Crawford, Hagen Davis, Ella Dohner, Cameron Forker, Aiden Globensky, Lauren Gradowski, Collin Harvey, Jaydon Hollis, Braden Huffer, Ava Johnson , Matthew Johnson, Owen Krohn, Elizabeth Lamport, John Lantz, Payton Lijewski, Violet McCay, Wesley McGinn, Nicholas Messinger, Isabelle Moser, Giada Pawlowski, Savannah Periolat, Audrey Proctor, Kaitlyn Rainwater, John Riley, Giovanni Sanchez-Perez, Samantha Schimanski , Jordan Serrano, Amelia Sheldon, Olivia Shubert, Spencer Siegel, Finn Siewert, Laura Wamser and Samuel Wendel-Suppa.

Class of 2024 Presidents Lauren Gradowski and Ava Johnson thanked Student Senate Advisors Amy Quick and Beth Scoggin and the rest of the faculty, staff, administration, class advisors and parents for their support before continuing the 80-year tradition of passing the “totem”. » (signifying the passing of leadership and the promise to uphold the values ​​of the Student Senate) to the junior class presidents: Riley Tertel, Ellen Ripley and Addy Lamport.

Eight graduates returned to their last four years of high school.

John Riley and John “Jack” Lantz recalled a first year filled with computer science experiences and

“hidden phones pressed against our screens.”

“Every week we were in the air with airborne pathogens floating around the 1-millimeter plastic sheets between desks. With COVID and Close Contact testing, we never knew exactly who would be in class each day if we even had a class. Shelves were built on our lawns using Eberly engineering, ab workouts were performed on the floor next to our laptop cameras, and phones were taped to the ceiling during computer testing. Fidler algebra to be sure that we

we weren’t cheating.

Sam Wendel-Suppa and Elliott Bourne talked about a sophomore year that began with students masked and still dreading COVID testing.

In the fall, the football team merged with River Valley to form the Red Arrow Raiders cooperative.

Near the end of a basketball season that included a district title, they said “a lot of us thought it was a great idea to shave our heads.”

Giada Pawlowski and Samantha Schimanski talked about a year in eleventh grade where the class began to hit its stride and look for new opportunities.

“Most of us drove to school (for better or worse), some of us got involved with AK Smith, we had a pretty spectacular prom, and we started planning our future.”

Spanish students came and made things “at least twice as interesting,” Team Powderpuff was victorious, “and a surprising number of us dyed our hair.”

Cameron Forker and Audrey Proctor finished the throwback by discussing the past year.

Homecoming’s Powderpuff team was noted to go undefeated for four straight years, while those involved in the sport learned patience, teamwork, how to be a leader and much more.

Teachers were thanked for “always pushing us to do our best,” the maintenance team was credited “for all the little things you do to keep our school running smoothly.”

We wished all the students of the class of 2024 the best of luck in their future endeavors.

“Some of you will be going to college away from home, ready to start your new life. Some of you may move into different areas of work and take on jobs and/or apprenticeships with the local union. Whatever path you choose, we hope you take each step without hesitation and pray that you succeed and live your life to the fullest. Thank you to the seniors of the Class of 2024 for making this the first of many great years,” Proctor said, with Forker adding, “Now let’s graduate, baby!”

New Buffalo Area Schools Superintendent Adam Bowen introduced the Class of 2024 Senior Scholars, explaining that these students scored 1,130 or higher on the SAT or 23 or higher on the ACT, earned a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher, as well as other achievements related to advanced placement or college-level coursework, foreign languages, fine arts, extracurricular activities, and community service.

The 2024 New Buffalo High School Senior Scholars are: Keri Ann Chlystun, Lauren Gradowski, Ava Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Elizabeth Lamport, Jack Lantz, Wesley McGinn, Isabelle Moser, Giada Pawlowski, Kaitlyn Rainwater, John Riley, Samantha Schimanski and Sam Wendel – Suppa.

Board of Education President Lisa Werner spoke about Legacy of Impact as a testament to the power of individuals and communities to make a difference in the world.

“Legacy of impact is not limited to famous people or historical events. It is also present in the daily actions of ordinary people, like you, who strive to make a difference in their communities,” she said. “Whether it’s volunteering at a local school, serving on a school board, advocating for environmental conservation, or supporting marginalized groups, every act of kindness and compassion contributes to the legacy of impact.