Hats off 2011 BFHS graduates

The class of 2011 couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to hold graduation ceremonies.

Saturday was sunny and warm and the stands and football field full of parents, family and friends to watch the 110 students receive their diplomas.

This year’s graduating class includes five valedictorians: Charena Branscum, Taylor Dinning, Lorenna LaBarbera, Isabella Orr, Sara Owinyo and Taylor Tompke.

Jessica Merz was the salutatorian.

A total of $567,042 in scholarships and college/university awards were given out to more than 60 of the graduating students.

The ceremony began with the traditional introductions given by principal Curt Randall Bayer and a farewell to Ted Reynolds who will be taking a position in south Idaho. Bayer also acknowledged teachers who are retiring.

Graduate Markayle Acord opened the ceremony with the singing of the national anthem.

Performing together were Lance Abeyta, Sara Owninyo, Jesse Tobin and teachers Craig Anderson and Michael Cowley with a rendition of “Carry On My Wayward Son,” by Kansas.

Math teacher Ryan Gillespie and art teacher Josh Knaggs addressed the students.

“For the times they are a changin,” Knaggs said at the close his speech.

The traditional speeches by valedictorians followed with more musical performances by Sara Owinyo and Markayle Acord, who performed a duet, “When You Believe.”

“We have just spent 14,500 hours in school,” said Taylor Dinning, the first valedictorian to speak at graduation. 

The diplomas were handed out. Then Bayer, playing as if he was Ryan Seacrest holding out on the introduction, finally announced the graduates and the caps were launched into the blue sky and silly string sprayed every where.