'Joyful' BFHS graduates set to embrace the future

BONNERS FERRY — Together, the Class of 2025 shined as a group one final time when Bonners Ferry High School celebrated its graduates at Saturday's commencement ceremony with family, friends and the community gathered to cheer them on.

"If I had to describe what this past year has been in one word, it would be joyful," BFHS principal Lisa Iverson told the graduates as she welcomed them to the ceremony. "Class of 2025, you came together in a way that was genuine, intentional and inspiring. You made the decision to show up every day and make the most of your senior year and it shows the spirit, leadership and kindness that you brought to our school. It made a lasting impact."

In welcoming the graduates, their families and the community to the celebration, Iverson and Boundary County School District Superintendent Jan Bayer paid tribute to the graduates' hard work and dedication. They applauded the graduates, telling them they should be proud of who they are and their achievements.

"The road you're stepping into is changing fast," Iverson said. "Technology is transforming how we live, learn and connect. It is overwhelming at times, but through all the change, my advice to you is simple, stay grounded in who you are. The values you developed, the lessons you learned and the friendships you formed here in Bonners Ferry will guide you no matter where life takes you … you've already shown that you have the strength, heart and determination to take on whatever lies ahead."

Overcoming the occasional glitch from the microphone cutting out before the battery was replaced, senior class president and valedictorian Sydney Beckle told fellow graduates that she witnessed first-hand their hard work, dedication and compassion for each other en route to Saturday's commencement.

She noted that the foundations of who they are and will become can be found in Boundary County and the community that has supported them unconditionally.

"The number nine represents the cardinal number eight plus one. The letter B is the second letter of the alphabet," Beckle said, referencing the county's 9B county designation. "These two seemingly insignificant symbols come together to refer to the place, representing the place that we have called home, 9B Boundary County. Beyond the various mountains, lakes, dirt roads and farmland in this county, I always found it hardest to define what Bonners Ferry was. Yes, it was a place of endless adventure, but it also never felt particularly special. Over time, I've come to realize how this town has uniquely shaped each and every one of us sitting here today."

From bright-eyed kindergarteners to the people they are today, Beckle told her fellow graduates to take the foundation they have been given by the community and their school and embrace what the future has in store.

"I think we all started to realize what unique experience we were having, from seeing teachers at local events to everyone hanging out in a space built in town on the weekend, we were starting to grow a tight knit community. The strength of this community has been tested several times and deemed itself mighty."

While being a Badger has been a key part of their identity to this point, Beckle told the now-alumni that it's also important to realize they are individuals with dreams of their own.

"For the rest of your life, always continue to explore the unknown," Beckle said. "So many times, I think people are afraid to take a leap of faith into the unknown, not knowing if what lurks beyond will help or hurt them."

Instead of fearing it, embrace the unknown, she counseled the Class of 2025. Dare to be all that they are meant to be.

"Embrace the feeling of beauty, embrace the feeling of adventure and take full advantage of the fact that you have a whole life ahead of you," she added.

Watching her mom driving away from Valley View Elementary as a kindergartner on her first day of school, salutatorian Morgan Tye said it was only later that she realized all of the new people, challenges and freedoms were the start of wonderful things ahead.

"Little did I know that those same faces who welcomed me to play with them on that very first day of school in 2012 would be the people I laughed with, learned from and leaned on," Tye said.

And, just like that, looking out over the crowd — one filled with lifelong friends as well as family and community members — Tye said she again felt like crying. This time because it meant saying goodbye to everyone.

Taking advice from a speaker at a recent North Idaho College graduation, Tye took a moment to reflect, sharing memories from throughout their 13 years in Boundary County schools. From being told in the middle of a lesson on addition and subtraction that they were the Class of 2025 and finding it hard to believe, to the joys of an unexpected snow day to having to finish seventh grade online because of the pandemic, their times together have been both special and memorable, the salutatorian said.

There was their fifth grade graduation, a trip to Silverwood in the eighth grade and claiming honors their freshman year during the hallway homecoming competition.

"I bring up these memories because nostalgia is proof that you're living a life worth remembering," Tye said. "You don't have to have it all figure out. To move forward, surround yourself with people who lift you up and remember that you are under no obligation to be the same person you were a year ago, a month ago, a week ago or even yesterday."

Take pride in who they were, who they are and who they will be, the salutatorian told the fledgling alumni. Never forget where they come from as they find their own unique path forward.

"Remember your roots. Remember who you are and where you come from right now," Tye added. "The future may feel uncertain but find comfort in the fact that everything you once thought was too difficult … you made it through."

School resource officer Jason Trujillo told the class that he was humbled by their invitation to have him speak at their graduation. Being a school resource officer is among his best decisions, giving him the ability to get to know all of them on many levels. Not only was he able to watch them grow as students and as individuals, he was able to help them in a variety of ways — from mentor to advisor.

He applauded their efforts, telling them they all had a bright future ahead and can determine what that future holds each and every day — they just need to try and set their sights on their dreams.

"I've learned that knowing everyone is not necessarily a bad thing but something that strengthens the bond of community and family," he told the graduates. "I feel like this is everything that I fought for in my previous life and not because it's here, it's beautiful because of each of you and your families. You have become part of my story and this will forever be a chapter I can look back on with happiness and gratitude."

Trujillo encouraged the graduates to embrace the unknown, to travel to new places, meet new people and fill their story with adventure.

"The world has a lot to offer," he said. "It is my hope that some of the people you meet along the way are as impacted by you as I have been. I would consider them lucky for it."

    Bonners Ferry High School graduates enter Mendenhall Stadium for Saturday's commencement.
  

    Bonners Ferry High School graduates wait to enter Mendenhall Stadium for the Class of 2025's commencement ceremony. on Saturday.
  

    Bonners Ferry High School graduates smile as they walk into Mendenhall Stadium for the Class of 2025's commencement ceremony.
  

    Bonners Ferry High School valedictorian Sydney Beckle addresses her fellow graduates during Saturday's commencement ceremony.
  

    Bonners Ferry High School salutatorian Morgan Tye speaks at Saturday's commencement ceremony.
  

    Jason Trujillo unveils a T-shirt giving a shout out to Columbia Basin College as the school resource officer encouraged graduates to embrace the future and travel the world during a speech at Saturday's commencement ceremony at Bonners Ferry High Svhool.
  

    David Moore carries his daughter, Temperance, to the podium as he accepts his diploma at Saturday's Bonners Ferry High School commencement ceremony.