In a sea of blue caps and gowns, 553 graduates from Legacy High School brought a chapter to a close when they walked the stage Wednesday night.
Joined by friends, family, teachers and staff members at the CU Event Center in Boulder, the graduates heard speeches from their fellow graduates and staff members and received their diplomas.
Legacy Assistant Principal Sierra Hoover opened the ceremony by welcoming the graduates and all attendees.
“It has been an honor to walk alongside them throughout the last four years,” Hoover said. “We are incredibly proud of the courage, perseverance and tenacity you have shown to us time and time again.”
Fahad Tamton, a graduating senior, was chosen as the class speaker and gave a speech that conjured plenty of laughs from seniors and the audience.
“Parents, staff and Class of 2022,” Tamton exclaimed. “Welcome to the other side!”
Tamton’s speech focused on the struggles of attending way too many Zoom classes from bed and then facing the reality of being back in the classroom for their senior year. Tamton said his experiences throughout the pandemic and his senior year reminded him of the movie “Space Jam.”
“When looking through the lens of one Michael Jordan, I’m reminded of being a student in the pandemic,” Tamton said. “What I thought was going to be smooth sailing with some bumps in the road, turned into what you could say was a ‘loony’ experience.”
Tamton said that he, his fellow class members and the community had to support each other and band together to get through an incredibly difficult time to that moment celebrating their success and accomplishments.
“Even in the struggle we found camaraderie and support in our community,” Tamton said. “As peers, we went through it together like the Looney Toons and Michael Jordan, and we carried some of each other’s burdens and had a lot of fun along the way. “Space Jam” illustrates the struggle of a ragtag group of characters and I’d like to think that we, the Class of ‘22, reflect that in perseverance and the success of those same characters.”
There were multiple performances from the Legacy High School Chorale and Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds, and senior band students, including the “National Anthem,” “America the Beautiful,” and “Seasons of Love.”
The seniors chose one faculty member special to them to speak as well, and this year Business and Technology Instructor Carrie Medlock was chosen.
Medlock shared meaningful anecdotes of some of the seniors in the class, like giving her plenty of notes on her speech and when she allowed pets on screen until one student showed up with a parrot.
Medlock highlighted three points in her speech: You, others, and laughter.
She emphasized the importance of being your own biggest cheerleader, not letting anyone hold you back from what you can accomplish, always thinking of others and sharing when you are capable, and remembering that laughter is the secret to life. Keeping life fun, creative and learning to laugh at yourself is how most got through the pandemic, and is an all-around secret to life.
“Please remind yourself to not sweat the small stuff, but appreciate the little things in life,” Medlock said. “You’re about to start a new chapter, whatever your plans are, make it you. Always be yourself and always tell yourself, ‘Yes, I can.’”
Superintendent of Adams 12 Five Star Schools Christopher Gdowski and the Board of Education President Lori Goldstein did the acceptance of the graduates before diplomas were handed out.
Hoover closed out the ceremony wishing the graduates success in whatever endeavors their futures will hold before the student leaders led the Class of 2022 in turning their tassels.
“While I do not know what your future holds, I know for certain that the Class of 2022 possesses the courage, strength and integrity needed to face whatever comes your way,” Hoover said. “Don’t back away from the challenges that life may put in your way but rather face them head on. Live each day fully and at the end of the day be proud of your legacy that you have made.”
