(PHOTOS) South High School Class of 2023 shines through the rain, is reminded of its worth

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Despite the rain and wind, the class of 2023 from Cheyenne’s South High School walked the stage to conclude its high school career.

The students were reminded by speaker Paul Weatherford, the Language Arts teacher at South High, that they have faced far more difficult times than sitting in the rain throughout their high school careers.

“Making it through high school to this grand day is no easy task, even in normal times,” Weatherford said. “Y’all have barely known normal since day one at South High School, from an epically long spring break in 2020 to a school of masks and spray bottles. Amid wars in the world seems nothing but bad news on the networks. Y’all have still made your way. You are the good news that we celebrate.”

Weatherford, however, humbled the class by reminding them that they did not make it through these trying years alone: “Other people gave you extra support or reinforcement, a place to rest your weary head. So whether it was parents, friends, teachers, preachers, coaches or anyone else who made this possible, acknowledging their role in your success is the key to deeper success in your life.”

Finally, Weatherford concluded his speech by giving the class of 2023 advice on the secret to life, saying, “One of them is to recognize and honor interdependence. And by extension, the fact of interconnectivity, that we’re all made up of the same stuff. You are made of the same stuff as well that burns so brightly and hot stars above us. The same stuff that composes the flowing rivers always moving, always changing. The same stuff that builds the incredible mountain ranges that are solid and steady on timescales we can barely comprehend. Everything in this universe is also the recipe for us. And that’s a big deal. And we are quite literally imposed greatness. Every last one of us. It’s what you do with the knowledge that defines your character. So I encourage you to embrace that knowledge with a passion to embrace it, with a commitment to see yourself and other people, to recognize yourself in the beauty of nature.”