The 144 victorious graduates of Sault Ste. Marie Area High School and Career Center Class of 2023 received their diplomas yesterday, despite unprecedented times of fear and adversity brought on by the COVID pandemic and related state mandated lock downs aimed at mitigating the deadly virus's spread.
No in-person classes interrupted life for many K-12 students. It meant no band, no sports, no public outings, etc. This left many feeling isolated and alone. But graduates like class valedictorian Claire Erickson refused to let state-wide Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order's prevent her from achieving a whopping 4.078 GPA.
Following closely behind Erickson in grades was Timothy Garland with a GPA of 4.077. Cassandra Gallagher graduated with a 4.057 GPA. Aye Thee Da graduated with a 4.053 GPA, and Aurora Corbiere finished just under with a 4.049 GPA. Approximately 20 students received departmental awards, and more than 50 were awarded scholarships.
"I know we have been through a lot," Erickson said. "I have seen everybody, top to bottom, persevere. I know that this class will go out into the world to do great things. I am just excited to see what they all can do."
Looking back, Erickson said she would miss playing basketball with her friends and teammates, overall.
"We have been playing together since we were really little," she said. "I have great friends."
Erickson will say goodbye come fall to attend Ferris State University under scholarship to play basketball, where she intends to study finance.
Fellow graduate Cody Batho, on the other hand, admitted it was difficult returning to school after COVID.
"After being online for about a half of a year to a year, it was a learning challenge," he said. "It was hard to go from online back to in school learning."
Batho has always considered himself more of a "social person," so he really took notice to when peers returned to the classroom with a little extra anxiety.
"When we went online, you wouldn't hear from people for a while and it was just different," he said. "I overcame it just by putting a smile on my face everyday. I am friends with everyone. There is no room to be mad in the world."
Batho was awarded the Business Professionals of America Outstanding Student Award. He will also attend Ferris State University. Batho plans on studying pre-pharmacy.
Former hockey professional Joseph K. Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe (JKL) Director of Curriculum, Instruction, State, and Federal Programs Dr. Christopher Gordon was the guest speaker. Gordon delivered his own unique story of breaking down barriers in order to achieve great success along a bumpy road to self-discovery.
This year's class song was "I lived" by One Republic. Its flower was a lilac. The class color was light blue. Its motto was "Young, wild and 2023."
Watch Sault Ste. Marie Area High School and Career Center's Class of 2023 graduate for yourself either by visiting its Faceook page or clicking here. Read more about the life and success of Gordon at sooleader.com.
