Milton-Union 2024 Commencement Ceremony
On Friday, May 24, Milton-Union held its annual Commencement Ceremony in the high school gymnasium. This year, approximately 75 students were recognized as members of the graduating class of 2024.
The Valedictorian, the two Salutatorians, and the five class officers were more closely honored. Valedictorian Madison Gustin gave a short but sweet speech on the challenges the class faced and how they ultimately overcame them. Gustin says that these challenges gave the class the tools they needed to succeed in the real world. She thanked her peers, friends, family, and staff members for guiding not only her, but the class of 2024 over the last 13 years.
The first Salutatorian, Carly Zimmer, gave a much longer speech guiding the class through the important and developmental school years that stood out most. Zimmer explained the class's difficulties, such as COVID-19, two canceled field days due to tornadoes, the canceled Washington D.C. trip, and more. She used these experiences to outline how the class of 2024 has made it through challenging and exciting circumstances. She reminded her peers of moments from elementary and middle school that they may not have remembered but, once brought up, struck a memory and a laugh.
The second Salutatorian was Ava Berberich, and her speech recognized her gratitude towards her classmates and the staff. She reminds each person of all the moments that have defined their high school careers, and that graduation isn’t an end but a beginning to a much bigger chapter. Berberich also says she is grateful for her time spent at Milton-Union, that she feels lucky to be a part of such a wonderful group, and that she is truly excited for each of their futures.
The class officers President Ty Parsons, Vice President Berberich, Secretary Braden Schaurer, Treasurer Carter Berner, and Historian Michael Burke gave a group speech connecting how this tight-knit class could thank athletics, extracurriculars, and academics for being the foundation of their friendships, while also giving a little insight for “what’s next.” The officers did a great job delivering a short but heartfelt speech.
The Center Stage Show Choir performed “Memories,” to put the graduates in the audience in a nostalgic mood before the ceremony. Tyreese Werling was the only graduate who performed with the choir. As for the band, they played as the graduates first entered and exited the ceremony. Bryson Bailey and M. Burke were the two graduates able to participate, as this was the final moment of their band careers.
The ceremony went smoothly, and with a small graduating class, it lasted under an hour. We want to congratulate every graduate on finishing high school and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.