Colfax celebrates Class of 2023

COLFAX- The Colfax High School hosted graduation at the auditorium decked out in gold and blue to celebrate the graduating class of 2023 Saturday, June 3.

Forty-Five graduates started a processional at 11 a.m. as the Colfax Jr/Sr band played music.

Junior Marshalls included Harley Hennigar, Seth Lustig, Mikah Nelson, James Wigen, and Lauryn York.

Senior Class President Delaney Imler welcomed the crowd, followed by the band performing the Star Spangled Banner and an invocation by Pastor Todd Kinley.

Principal David Gibb did the introductions, followed by Valedictorian Harper Booth's speech, who greeted everyone with a good morning. Booth stated that she was honored to be there, but the reality of writing her speech didn't hit her until two days before she had to give it.

Remembering a TikTok she had seen, she noted that the girl in it said 'it's not that serious," and told herself she got this through her last few months of high school.

She also told herself it was not serious to write the speech because her family would still love and be proud of her for all she had accomplished.

"Now, I'm not saying that nothing in life is serious because there are many things that are," she said, adding that she is thankful for the classmates she grew up with and the faculty.

Booth thanked her family for their endless love and support, which is why she stood there.

She ended her speech with a heartfelt, "Thank you all for everything."

Co-Valedictorian Jaisha Gibb approached the podium, starting with a welcome and adding that they were there to celebrate and congratulate the achievements and accomplishments of everyone sitting behind her.

"Class of 2023, the day has come," she said, adding that they'd worked their entire lives for that day, their graduation, the day they would enter the real world.

Gibb shared that while she had only started there her sophomore year, she has made many memories, and they've all left their marks on Colfax High School.

She shared two quotes. One by Pastor Michael Todd, "The greatest version of you is the disciplined version of you... the greatest version of you is the version that has parameters. Your power is in parameters."

Gibb stated that when she first heard the quote, she realized it related to society today and all the peer pressure that high schoolers face.

Her second quote was by T.D. Jakes, "I have never met anybody who became incredibly successful in any area of their life until they have suffered, and sweated, and sacrificed and kept their focus..."

This quote made Gibb reflect on goals, aspirations, and dreams being achieved based on dedication, motivation, patience, and hard work.

"Nothing in life is guaranteed nor handed to us," Gibb said, noting that having goals helps direct focus but achieving those goals won't happen if not worked for.

"We must put in time and effort," she said, adding that while they'll always have people to support them, those people won't hold their hands forever.

"If we want to be successful in anything, we have to work for it and do the little things for ourselves," Gibb stated.

Gibb encouraged her classmates to always stay true to themselves even when it's not the popular thing to do, take risks even when they're scared, and stay focused and committed to their goals through all obstacles.

She thanked the faculty for teaching them knowledge and the skills to advance toward their future endeavors, their coaches, and her classmates.

Salutatorian Delany Imler, then came up to the podium.

"Years turn into months, months turn into weeks, weeks turn into days, and days turn into now. We are finally here," Imler started, adding that they'd dreamt of the day since their first year.

She stated that they'd always thought the time wouldn't come and mentioned the many last they had, including prom, playing on the field, and walking down the halls together.

"Time goes by way too fast, which is why we must cherish every moment we have together," she stated, adding that while she felt the time went by too fast and sometimes she'd wish it slowed down to savor the final moments before moving onto college and beyond.

The final words Imler left for the class of 2023 were from Muhammad Ali "Don't count the days; make the days count."

After Imler left the podium, a slide show of the class presented by Derek Repp was enjoyed by all, after which Superintendent Jerry Pugh presented the class of 2023. Counselor Krista Boyd read the names of the Colfax 2023 class, and Pastor Kinley did the benediction.

Imler led a tassel ceremony throwing their caps, and the Class of 2023 happily ran hand in hand, fists pumping in the air toward the next chapter of their lives.

Citizens celebrated with them as they rode around town.

"We'll be leaders wait and see, we're the class of 23," their motto moving forward.

Colfax Graduates included Harper Booth, Jaisha Gibb, Delaney Imler, Gene Gibler, Cadence Monson, Olivia Ng, Jess Patnode, Derek Repp, James Heiner, Ellie Nails, Asa Olsen, Jonathan Peterson, Makiah Zorb, Devan Becker, Mason Gilchrist, Carsen Gray, Jeffrey Harwood, Caden Marker, Canyon Pierce, Drew Vantine, Danielle Getz, Carrick McWhirter, Tess Lewis, Bryden Ball, Alexander Binks, Corbin Burt, Daemond Butler, Carter Casten, Annika Christensen, Kendall Clinton, Hunter Crouser, Caden Curtis, Victoria Dowell, Jude Hahn, Trace Hennigar, Ryder Lindbo, Trenton Lyman, Wyatt McGraw, Austin Miller, Alex Mortensen, Braden Plummer, Tegan Riley, Mason Ring, Jacob Tolleson, and Riley Williams.