Pierce County High School’s Class of 2023 had one of the coolest graduations in recent memory — literally.
An unseasonable cool snap had temperatures in the 60s with a stiff northeast breeze throughout the ceremony.
The 229 members of the class received their diplomas Friday night before an overflow crowd at Bear Stadium.
Looking back at the past, while looking forward to the future was the theme of the night.
Valedictorian Addison Nicole Cantrell, Salutatorian Cianna Kaley Kicklighter and both the class song and parent dedication song reflected those themes.
A senior ensemble made up of Kallan Aspinwall, Kelly Brewster, Addison Cantrell, Harlee Costa, Lauren Crawford, Emma Dyal, Diana Hamiliton, Justin Herrin, Miya Jinks, Cianna Kicklighter, Jaden Lyons, Mario Lamas, Hayleigh Long Hannia Martinez, Annie Mask, Maddison Phillips, Kaley Robins, Shadana Warren and Amber Turner, Sign Language Interpreter performed both tunes as their classmates joined in on the songs, even as the stiff breeze played havoc with the sound.
Cantrell reflected on the class of 2023’s experiences together.
She noted that her time had been “crammed full of challenging classes” and that she didn’t have much free time.
Cantrell said that her free time was filled with her favorite TV shows and movies including “rom-com’s” that probably were not “Oscar-worthy”.
Cantrell aspires to be an actress and she cited “Gilmore Girls”, “27 dresses”, “La La Land”, “Sweet Home Alabama”, “Star Wars”, “Legally Blonde”, “The Devil Wears Prada”, “13 Going on 30”, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Little Women” and highlighted the specific life lessons to be gained from each.
“For those thinking, ‘well, how does this apply to me, I don’t want to be in the movies,” she asked and then answered her own question. “Don’t sell yourself short. You don’t have to be rich and famous to make your mark on the world around you. Carpe diem. Seize the day. Our lives are about to begin and who knows what we’ll make of it. But we’ll be alright. We’ve got more potential than we know.”
Kicklighter recounted her memories of growing up and thanked God, her family, her friends and teachers for those memories.
She then encouraged her class to think back and going forward urged them to “forget how to be embarrassed.”
As she made the remark, a strong wind gust blew the pages of her speech on the podium.
“Like right now, I’m not going to let it bother me,” she said.
Kicklighter pointed out how elementary age kids “march to the beat of their own drum” and don’t worry about being embarrassed. She said the embarrassment issue and need to fit in hit in middle school.
“I went from jumping up and down at my first middle school dance to being terrified to be seen doing the slightest moves at my next.... I learned there were a lot of things about me that were different and loud—so I dulled myself. For a little while at least, I tried to fit into a box.”
Kicklighter urged her classmates to break out of that box.
“There is no need to worry about trying to fit in, because people are drawn to that shine more than we all realize. So, piece by piece, I let myself out of the box. Without care over what others thought, I was able to do things I never would have otherwise,” she said. “I never could have performed in plays if I was worried about embarrassing myself in front of a crowd.”
Kicklighter noted she had recently portrayed “The Cowardly Lion” in the school play “The Wizard of Oz”.
“...I can confirm there is no room for embarrassment in paws and a tail. Most importantly, I never could have found myself if I was too embarrassed to look. I encourage you all to take the leap and look, even everyone in the bleachers, no matter how old you are. It’s worth it.”
Kicklighter closed by urging her classmates to be safe and use good judgment.
“Because life is better with all the laughs and all the love and all of you,” she said, before bidding everyone farewell with “toodles.”
The senior ensemble then sang “History” by One Direction including the chorus “You and me got a whole lot of history (oh), We could be the greatest team that the world has ever seen, You and me got a whole lot of history (oh), So don’t let it go, we can make some more, We can live forever.” Classmates provided an echo on the “oh” during the chorus.
The parent dedication song “Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift focusing on graduation as a rite of passage into adulthood. The chorus includes: “Oh, darlin’, don’t you ever grow up, Don’t you ever grow up, Just stay this little, Oh, darlin’, don’t you ever grow up, Don’t you ever grow up, It could stay this simple, I won’t let nobody hurt you, Won’t let no one break your heart, And no one will desert you, Just try to never grow up, Never grow up.”
Ellie Mattox gave the inspiration using 1 Corinthians 9:23 urging her classmates to live inspired lives for the sake of the Gospel.
Ja’Khorion Harris gave the welcome and led the pledge to the flag.
Reagan Larson gave a special recognition thanking teachers, parents, support staff and administrators.
Senior class advisor Pamela Baker presented the Class of 2023, while Audio/Visual Technology Teacher John DuPont announced the name of each graduate. Superintendent Dara Bennett and Principal Kelly Murray presented diplomas to the seniors. It was Baker’s first graduating class as senior sponsor.
Lillie Stipe offered the benediction and the traditional cap toss followed and the class of 2023 walked off into the future.
PCHS CLASS OF 2023
Honor Graduates
Addison Nicole Cantrell, Cianna Kaley Kicklighter, Mary Beth Emma Chancey, Maria Fernanda Sotello Castillo, Becky Anne Thigpen, Madeline Audrey White, Cadence Amelia Raulerson, Anna Caroline Wheeler, Davis Ward Hersey, Regan Elizabeth Boatright, Elijah Brant Corbett, Brooke Alynda Williams, Emma Kathryn Knowlton, Carrie Elizabeth Crews, Alaina Faith Harvard, Emily Grace Turner, Joseph Garrison Rentz, Owen Richard Roneker, Raegen Olivia Cauthen, Kenzie Olivia Meeks, Jami Leigh Strickland, Lauren Alyssa Wildes, Jaydon Thomas Morris, Maddison Taylor Phillips, Harlee Maddison Costa, Lillie Kate Stipe, Justin Terry Herrin, Marc Spencer Hawkins, Jackson Luke Gambrell, Amber Lee Turner, Hannia Sarai Martinez Torres, Emily Michaela Cooper, Zacharey David Morgan, Colin Joseph Waters, Julia Rose Roberts, Allyson Laurel Sapp, Hannah Faith Emond, Lane Thomas Doss, Ellie MinChun Mattox, Reagan Claire Larson and Ja’khorion Xavier Lavon Harris.
Graduates
Jesus Aguilar, Antonio Alejo, Caleb Wade Alexander, Jonah Alexander Allen, Kylie Ann Allen, Hunter Daine Altman, Kayla Nicole Altman, Miranda Arredondo-Rodriguez, Jose Maria Arzate Sierra, Kallan Elizabeth Aspinwall, Ansleigh Denae Barrett, Katie Elizabeth Basile, Austin Bradley Beasley, Quintavien Barnarz Bell, Makayla Nichole Beverley, Taj Kharay Booth Jr., Zoey Iraonia Booth, Allison Paige Bowers, Kelly Elizabeth Brewster, Miracle Modesti Leshae Gabriel Brewton, Aryn Lavette Broadnax, Johnathon Robert Brown, William Walker Brown, Samuel Kole Bryant, Aaliyah Ariana Burse, Davis William Byrd, Matthew Vincent Carter, Elijiah Ander Cason, Jayles Eleshia Chandel, Dylan Tyrone Clark, Patrick Luke Clark, Kaden Jonathan Coleman, Brandon Lee Coon, Mary Kathryn Cox, James Watson Crawford, Lauren Elizabeth Crawford, Kayleigh Brianna Crews, Micah Alexander Crews, Oakley Storm Crews, Sonia Yitanyeli Cruz-Hernandez, Kezia Unique Cummings, Lexie Ann Cunningham, Aaron Connor Davis, Zachary Lee Davis, Matthew Lyn Day, Ellarose Marie Decker, Ella Grace Deloach, Rebecca Ann DeLoach, Amaria Sheree Denton, Halle Marie Dixon, Seth Lee Dixon, Ty Landon Douberly, Emma Katherine Dyal, Charly Espana, Julianna Hope Flynn, Ethan Cline Gardner, Samuel Robert Gardner, Breydon Scott Gay, Haili Ann Gibson, Cole Ivey Gill, Kadence Morrisa Godwin, Julia Katherine Green, Paula Miriam Garcia Gutierrez, Jimarion Jeremiah Guyton, Brianna Cheree Hamilton, Diana Faith Hamilton, Rosston Noel Harris, Paul Loadholt Harter, Kilee Shianne Hayes, Lana Mae Hays, Alyssia Leeann Heath, Jonah Angel Hernandez, Dreama Star Herrington, Tucker Gram Hewett, Eliza Bray Hickox, Gregory Bennett Higginson, Ashleigh Christine Hitchner, Demiree Breanna Hodges, Hannah Logan Hodgkin, Seraphim Noalani Howard, Caleb Lee Howell, Judson Cain Howell, Bonnie Elizabeth Ann Hughes, Matthew Preston Hughes, Seth Allen Hunt, William Spencer Hutcheson, Jordan Marie Insco, Cameron Rae Jarrell, Dylan Wayne Jenkins, De’miyah La’vira Jinks, Allie Reagan Johnson, Ciara Josie-Lee Johnson, Kaden Clay Jones, Alicia Jade Jordan, Saylor Ann Kicklighter, Whitney Leigh King, Ellison Lance Kirkland, Thomas Jordan Lee, Lacy Elaine Leggett, Taliyah Janea Lincoln, My’Ieshia Kime Little, Mario Jr. Llamas-Diaz, Hayleigh Alexus Long, Isael William Lugo, Israel Mayolo Lugo, Kolby Blaze Lynn, Jaden Maurice Lyons, Trent James Markwith, Laura Isela Martinez-Perez, Annie Elizabeth Mask, Patrick Allen McDonald, Kellon Jahleel McMillan, Abigail Marie McQuaig, Robin Hattie Meadows, Daniel Eli Metts, Claire Reagan Miller, Ashley Elizabeth Mincey, Megan Victoria Mobley, Makell Deshon Moody, Trenati Dyzurre’ Moody, Braden Gabriel Morris, Sarah Grace Murphy, Katelyn Abigail Murray, Joshua Newman, Lukas Keith Nicely, Tenia Nicole Oliver, Taylor Renee Owens, Miranda Aileen Parks, Riya Bharat Patel, Soham Ajaykumar Patel, Henry Allen Peagler, Lawton Alexander Peavey, Pedro Pena, Christian Alexander Peplinski, Richard Hurbert Perritt V, Michael Pimentel, Jacob Matthew Pittman, Caleb James Raulerson, Trenton Jay Raulerson, Christopher Ethan Renfroe, Alana Michelle Rice, Jace Michael Riggins, Kaley Shalynn Robins, Michael Liam Thayne Ruehlen, Nathan Dominic Rupright, Cayetano Santana-Franco, Maggie Leigh Sapp, Dawson Jade Scurry, Shane Michael Sheffield Jr., Austin Dre Shephard, Conner Ivey Shipes, Mariana Sierra-Arzate, Taylor Jane Sikes, Ashby Delos Simonin, Michael Simon Sims, Alexia Day Smith, Endia Charrae Smith, Faye Michelle Smith, Ray Neisha Tioni Kimya Smith, Billy Austin Sprinkle, Tiffney Paris Starling, Steede Heron Steedley, Seth Allen Stipe, Andrew Isaac Stone, Amber Carol Strickland, Conner Lane Strickland, Natalie Clare Sullivan, Benjamin Richard Swain Jr., Nathan Darrell Swain, Alyssa Joyce Sweat, Madison Olivia Tallent, Kieran Gabriel Tanner, Matthew David Taylor, Emma Faith Thomas, Lorelai Makayla Thompson, Nicholas Mason Thompson, Braden Skyler Thorn, Elijah Griffin Thornton, Morgan Christie Thrift, Brandin Ray Tidwell, Macy Katherine Tippins, Jordan Anthony Tucker, Brandon Lee Vela, Tyler Allan Walker, Shadana Zakari Warren, Landon Jake Weathersby, Jaquez Lee White, Ella Grace Williamson, Cedes Daveigh Woodard and Mason Joseph Woodcock.
