Pomp and circumstance: Crest students graduate

Crest High School's Class of 23 graduated on Saturday. Speakers joked about the class' reputation for orneriness.

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May 8, 2023 - 2:48 PM

Tracy Call of Iola hugs her grandson, Malachi Trester, after the Crest High School graduation ceremony in Colony on Saturday morning. Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register

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COLONY — The Crest High School Class of 2023 was known as “that class,” as senior Trevor Church explained in his graduation speech during Saturday morning’s commencement activities.

“I think it took our teachers awhile to appreciate our energy, but by our senior year we were definitely their favorite class,” Church said, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

Crest Principal Travis Hermreck reinforced the theme with his introduction earlier in the morning, joking about how many teachers considered retirement before the Class of 2023 aged their way into their classrooms.

“We may have been wrong,” Hermreck said. “This class has achieved a lot of great things in many areas. They’ve touched a lot of lives and have been excellent role models for our youth to follow. Their presence has made our school a better place.”

Both Church and Hermreck shared inside jokes about their adventures, such as attending the state baseball contest. 

Church also recognized his “teacher of influence,” Steve Bubna, and presented him with a special award.

Crest High graduate Coby McAdam hugs his mother, Emily, as dad Jeff watches Saturday during CHS commencement ceremonies. Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
Holden Barker gives flowers to his parents. Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register
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Students also were recognized for receiving academic and athletic achievement awards from colleges and the community. They included: 

Allysa Adams

Kammee Bachman

Avery Blaufuss

Trevor Church

Ethan Godderz

McKenna Hammond

Kamryn Luedke

Karter Miller

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