HUMBOLDT — “We started out as a bunch of wide-eyed freshmen, running around with face masks and getting quarantined four times,” stated class speaker Garren Goodner, reflecting on the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Families filled…

COLONY — The Crest High School Class of 2024 is one of the school’s most accomplished senior classes, Principal Travis Hermreck announced at Saturday’s graduation ceremony in Colony. The 19-member class has an average grade…

Academic excellence comes naturally for Iola senior Jaydon Morrison. “I had always been getting As throughout grade school and middle school,” he said. “I made the decision freshman year that I was going to dedicate…

Rebekah Coltrane’s key to academic success can be summed up in one word: Encouragement. She pushed herself to reach her academic goals throughout her high school career, ultimately being named valedictorian. While doing so, she…

Rio Lohman always felt a competitive spirit. Sports. Academics.  Even at home, “I always wanted to be the best child to my parents. They have given me a great head start in life and help…

When Abigail Meiwes thinks back on her childhood, she remembers the books. Rows and rows of books.  “My mom turned a whole wall of our house into a library. And so there was a lot…

Kalibre Smith’s journey to valedictorian at Iola High School has humble beginnings, rooted in his parents’ desires to see him succeed. One of four kids, Smith is the son of Chrystal Brown and Anthony Smith.…

Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: I have a very good college friend who is taking much longer to graduate than I did, but until recently, I didn’t think too much of it. Over…

MORAN — Mallory Heim implored her fellow Marmaton Valley High School graduates to look forward, not backward, now that their high school careers are complete. Heim, valedictorian for Marmaton Valley’s Class of 2023, quoted the…

For many members of the Iola High School Class of 2023, Saturday’s commencement was their first “graduation” since kindergarten. They didn’t have a ceremony to commemorate moving on from elementary school, class speaker Macie Hoag…