(PHOTOS) 'Horns up, horns forward': Perseverance defines South High 2024 graduating class

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — “Horns up” has persisted as the mantra for South High School students. However, as its senior class readied to take up their diplomas and medals of honor for graduation, one teacher proposed a new mantra: “Horns forward.”

Blowhorns blared throughout Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena on Friday evening as South High School’s senior class attended the spring 2024 graduation ceremony. During the ceremony, several speakers provided words of advice to the students before sending them off with well wishes.

This year, Principal Kerri Gentry challenged her graduating class to come up with a word that reflected the goals they want to achieve. Gentry noticed this past week that students had picked words such as “kindness,” “try,” “trust” and “graduate.”

“Well, you made it, seniors,” Gentry said to a round of applause. “Our school might be young, it might still be establishing its roots, but you’ve made your mark — just like I know you’re going to make your mark on your upcoming future.”

Kerri Gentry, principal of South High School, addresses her school’s spring 2024 graduating class during the graduation ceremony Friday, May 24 at Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena in Cheyenne. (Jared Gendron/Cap City News)

LCSD1 Superintendent Stephen Newton offered a few words to the graduating class. He emphasized that though it’s sad to see the students leave, it’s ultimately because they were never meant to stay; they were destined to discover their own paths.

“As they say, ships are indeed safe in the harbor, but that’s not why ships are built,” Newton said. “Ships are meant to travel the seas, and today we’ll set sail in a new way. … I hope your life is filled with all good things, but we also know that letting you go means that you will have to weather some storms without us. Our hope is that you now have all that you need for that journey.”

LCSD1 Superintendent Stephen Newton offers advice and best wishes to the South High graduating class Friday, May 24 at Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena in Cheyenne. (Jared Gendron/Cap City News)

The ceremony’s faculty speaker, which was chosen by students, was social studies teacher Erin Lindt. Lindt discussed how she hopes the graduating class will fail and will fail often because it is a necessary step for growth and innovation.

“Failure is a necessary part of your journey,” Lindt said. “Allow yourself to fail, and be brave enough to overcome. You are on the precipice of a new version of yourself.”

Lindt also reminded students and audience members of the mantra they have built over the past four years: “Horns up.” However, as students move on from their public school years, she wants them to live their new lives “horns forward.”

Finally, student speaker Dakota Clark told her peers to persevere and not let personal hardship define them.

“Our perseverance has carried us this far, and it will only carry us to even greater heights for years to come,” Clark said.