BURLINGAME, Kan. – During the May 14, 2022, graduation ceremony, the graduates of Burlingame High School faced a reality – a long journey had ended and a new journey was beginning. With 22 students in the 2022 BHS graduating class, four were named as valedictorians, each sharing remembrances of the paths they had taken to get there and ideas about the direction they were heading.
Valedictorian Kenna Masters told her classmates, “Here we are at this very moment that marks the beginning of our next journey.”
On behalf of the graduates, she recognized those who had helped the class reach this point. To the teachers, “we appreciate all of the support you have given us throughout our years of school,” Masters said. To the coaches, noting the girls volleyball, basketball and softball teams had made school history during this class’s school years, “Thank you for preparing us and guiding us to achieve our goals. And to parents and family members, she said those who cared for the students “have created a solid foundation for [our] future.”
Daelyn Winters, valedictorian and 2022 senior class president, said the class had worked together on their journey “walking as one. We’ve done this all together, but today that ends. The path we have been sharing together is about to split into 22 different paths. Every single one of those paths will have challenges.”
She encouraged her classmates to “meet the challenges head on and not shy away,” and offered a farewell good wish, “Wherever the future takes you, let it take you somewhere you are happy with.”
Valedictorian Brooke Lewis lamented that “although school days seemed to drag on … the years went by so quickly.” But through their years at Burlingame schools, “We learned how to deal with adversity and push through difficult times.”
Congratulating her classmates for reaching this point in their school years journey, Lewis said, “You made it to this day for a reason. You are capable of so much, so set your goals high. Life is short, so go out there and follow your dreams.”
Valedictorian McKrae Masters had tallied up her journey as “2,487 days of conversation, of giggling and making jokes, and creating friendships, of loving one another … 2,487 days of figuring out who we truly want to be…”
“Well it’s here and we are grown,” she said, “but no I no longer want to be.”
Masters said though she hadn’t “enjoyed every minute of it” she enjoyed the “memories that were made, the laughter that was created, and the life lessons that we learned.”
“So as we leave here today, my only wish is that all the memories and the laughter and the lessons stay with us, and with all of you, forever,” she said.
In addition to the four valedictorians, Emma Tyson was named as the 2022 class salutatorian.
After presentation of the valedictorians and salutatorian by Burlingame High School Principal Christianna Hartman, the audience viewed the senior class slide show, followed by the class president’s farewell address.
Hartman presented the class for graduation, which was accepted by USD 454 Board of Education President Melissa Droege.
USD 454 Board of Education members presented diplomas to the BHS Class of 2022, Jazlyn Elayne Burwell, Haleigh Rayne Dubois, Kristian William Hovestadt, Michael John Kidwell, Waylon George Kirby Jr., Brooke Nicole Lewis, Kenna Marie Masters, McKrae Abigail Masters, Lance Charles Noonan, Robert Michael Quaney, Trever Paul Quaney, Savannah Lynn Ratliff, Hannah Leeann Roberts, Summer Kay Roberts, Ariel Jaden Roelker, Jaden Renae Shaffer, Dawson Jon Summers, Emma Rose Tyson, Jasmine Marie West, Daelyn Elizabeth Winters, Anthony James Wyatt, and Andrew Joseph Zeller.
Class sponsors are Haley Tyson and Linda White. Graduation ceremony attendants included Alexandra Crook, Gracie Simmons, Jason Davidson, and Tyler Lockwood. USD 434 Superintendent is Marcy Cassidy; school board members include Melissa Droege, Jamie Bowman, Pam Masters, Audrey Ross, Krista Rowley, Steven Tyson, and Donna Young.
