Or perhaps it was letting go of the carefully curated person your coworkers or classmates or even family have come to recognize, and for once, allowing those people to see through to your imperfect self. And you might get a confused glance or two, but at the end of the day, choosing to listen to yourself is a powerful decision. For the most part, we've been raised in a world where we're taught to follow the tidy little path of what makes sense to other people. After walking across the stage and getting a diploma, we're told to keep going to school or join the military or the workforce. Then comes a lifelong career, a house and a mortgage, lawnmowers and water bills. There's so many boxes waiting to be checked but life often times doesn't leave much room for creating our own stories. What about the 18-year-old entrepreneur with a crazy idea that just might work?
Or the new father who decides to leave his corporate job to be a stay-at-home dad? Sometimes making sense to meet other people's expectations comes at the expense of our own individuality. There's a popular maxim that tells us to do something every day that scares you. Honestly though, I think we're anxious enough already. We don't need to be entrusting our lives to the tallest and fastest roller coaster we can find just to be able to say, "Hey, I did it. Look at me go." Instead, I raise you this. Challenge yourself to do something every day that doesn't make sense. Something that breaks out of the comfort zone that others have created for you. Maybe that means finally trying the new hairstyle you've been dreaming of, even if it isn't neon blue. Or booking a flight to Italy when you've never even set foot in an airport before.
Or perhaps breaking out of your comfort zone means listening to Beyoncé instead of your usual Morgan Wallen. Whatever it may be, don't hesitate or let outside judgment and expectations talk you out of what makes sense to you. Because sometimes choosing to put yourself first is the most powerful choice you can make. When you stop and think about it, we've all lived through circumstances that nobody could have ever expected in the past four years alone. And there's nothing stopping the world from throwing something equally crazy at us again in the future. We owe it to ourselves to take control of our own stories, to stop making sense for other people, and instead to start advocating for ourselves. Because at the end of the day, it's the choices we make for ourselves that are going to leave a lasting impact on everyone around us and create the lives we want to live.
Thank you. Class of 2024, on behalf of the staff, faculty, and administration of Columbus North High School, to all students participating in the commencement ceremony this morning, we say, "Congratulations." To family and friends, we welcome you to and thank you for joining us on this joyous occasion. What a wonderful time in your life. Know, as you leave Columbus North High School, that we love you. We have seen your many positive accomplishments while you're here. And as we consider the contributions to the community in Columbus North High School, we are acutely aware that the future is bright. Alex, Kinsey, and Alex, thank you for messages. Good messages. Um just a quick recap what you heard. One, having someone to work with you through adversity makes life easier. Two, in order to move forward, we must remember that there will be last times. And three, we owe it to ourselves to listen to ourselves and to choose wisely as we take control of our own stories.
Beautiful messages. Now, each class is unique. Done this for a few years, and each class is unique. Each class has its own set of chemistry or virtues, and this class I'm impressed with your ability to be united. In a world that encourages us to be an individual, don't forget that your commitment to unity is what allows our individuality. We sit here today united as Bulldogs one last time. I hope you never forget what it feels like to be one with those around you. And just important with this class, I'm grateful for your ability to see through the clutter. As a class, you were able to distance yourself from the things that mattered least and focus on the things that mattered most. And that is not an easy task. I am humbled by the characteristics that you have shown while you have been here. At this time in the ceremony, I want to pause in remembrance of the Memorial Day weekend, and I would invite any member of our audience who served in the armed forces to stand as you're able and be recognized.
Please Please remain standing if you would. I would also like to recognize nine young adults in this graduating class that have decided their next initial steps will be to serve their country in the armed forces. As I call your name, would you please stand at your seat and remain standing until all are recognized and I would ask that so we could hear each student's name that the audience hold their applause until the very end. Jaslyn Janet Aguilar, Army National Guard. Jaden Scott Alba, United States Air Force. Brian Alvarez Castaneda, United States Marine Corps. Kendall Marie Combust, United States Marine Corps. Henry Dominguez Castellanos, Army National Guard. Fisher Life Mantooth, United States Naval Academy. Jason Emmett Shewey, United States Army. Aldair Suarez Gomez, Army National Guard. And Esai Quintanilla Solis, Army National Guard. Good luck as you go forward to all. You may be seated. Our graduates, although you've been through challenges that many would consider difficult, you are better because of it.
You have developed strong habits of mind and you have learned to live the Bulldog way. Use both as you transition to the world that not only awaits you, but a world that needs you. Those who spoke to you this morning have provided a pattern for you. Don't forget the pattern. Learn by uniting through adversity. Let last times be a stepping stone and make good decisions to control your own story. Class of 2024, you came here with goals and aspirations and today you leave standing a little taller, reaching a little further, and being a little better. You have entered Columbus North to learn. Having done so, our charge to you now is go forth to serve. At this time, I present the Columbus North High School Class of 2024 to Dr. Jim Roberts, Superintendent of Schools. In doing so, I certify they have met all the necessary requirements for graduation.
Dr. Roberts. Good morning. Family members, friends, faculty and staff, thank you for all you have done to support our senior students as they navigated their individual paths to be here this morning as graduates of Columbus North High School. Graduates, congratulations to you for the resilience you have displayed during your entire school career as you work diligently to achieve the necessary requirements set forth by our school corporation and the state of Indiana to be here this morning. At this moment, as you sit in your chair, in your gown, and prepare to come to this stage and receive your diploma, I ask this, do you have a dream for tomorrow? And if so, do you have a plan to in one way or another accomplish that dream? I pose these questions because today marks not only the culmination of your high school education, but more importantly the beginning, the commencement of a lifelong journey of dreams and discoveries.
As you stand ready to travel your different roads, I urge you to embrace a simple strategy that can aid your future. I ask you to write a letter to your future self. Dear successful future self, or however else you wish to address that letter. In the letter include your dreams, your plans. Imagine where you hope to be in a year, five years, a decade, longer. This letter will serve as a time capsule, a snapshot of who and where you are at this pivotal moment. Revisit this letter annually to reflect on your journey, to celebrate your achievements, and realign your course as dreams evolve and come into sharper focus. I urge you to to utilize this strategy, write a letter to yourself, as I want you to see that it's important to understand that dreaming is not just an act of hope, but a call to action.
Dreams shape our reality. They are the blueprints of our ambitions and the heart of our motivation. They are not static, they grow, they adapt, and they thrive on the nourishment of our experiences and the strength of our resolve. Perhaps most importantly, dreams keep us focused even in the midst of very tough times. In 1968, our country was in the midst of chaos, civil rights battles, the Vietnam War, a tumultuous political environment. In this trying time and within 2 months of each other, Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, a a candidate for president of the United States of America, were assassinated. But also, in 1968, Elvis Presley returned to live performances after nearly a decade of movies and delivered the song If I Can Dream. If I Can Dream was written to demonstrate that sometimes things aren't good. They might be really bad. But our ability to dream, to keep believing in what is right and good, is directly aligned with our strength to take action and make things better.
Deep in my heart, there's a trembling question. Still, I'm sure that the answer the answer's going to come somehow. Out there in the dark, there's a beckoning candle. And while I can think, while I can talk, while I can stand, while I can walk, I can dream. You can think. You can talk, you can stand, you can walk, you can dream. So, as you step away from our schools this morning, hold your aspirations close and dare to dream boldly. Dream with the knowledge that the path will not always be smooth, but every step, every challenge is a part of your journey. A journey that shapes not just your destiny, but the destiny of those you love and who love you. So, as I end, and courtesy of Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, class of 2024, dream on. Dream until your dreams come true. Ladies and gentlemen, by the power vested in me by the state of Indiana and our Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation Board of Trustees, I hereby certify you as graduates of Columbus North High School.
Congratulations. Jude A. Abdallah Laney Elise Acton Angel Sonora Ada Afana Josselyn Janet Aguilar Lisbeth Aguilar Simbras Jaden S. Alba Bethany Isabella Alderton Emily Alejandro Adam M. Alessandro Brian Alvarez Caden A. Anderson Faith Ann Anderson Lydia Grace Andrews Caroline Elizabeth Andres Derek R. Arao Ortiz Valeria Vanessa Arenas and Martinez Armenta. Rosabella Noel Armenta. Tyson David Arnold. Ari Amir Arroyo. Savannah Ashcroft. Anvay S. Atram. Nicholas Ryan Osterman. Esbeydi Aguilar. Brian Alexander Avila. Marco Lizandro Avila. Amelia Ann Bailey. Madeleine Jane Baker. Miu L. Ball. Jonathan M. Barbieri. Aidan D. Barkus. Brendan Lee Barnett. Ariana J. Barnhart Nasha L. Batista Nora A. Bodah Gavin R. Bain Ryan James Beck Kaylee R. Benson Liliana J. Bernardo Samantha L. Bland Amelia Grace Brand Lilly Breedlove Nicole Raydon Brewer Cameron Marie Brown Greta Lynn Brown Payton Brown Summer Renee Lynn Brown Kingan Eli Burbrink Chase Burton Susanna Leilani Bustos Michelle Janiece Caldwell Lilly Grace Carlstrom Jacob A.
Carmer Laquel D. Carter Peyton Dale Castetter Jada Rose Castillo Jamie Elizabeth Cerda-Herrera Allison B. Chambers Paul J. Chambers Stephanie P. Chapman Ava E. Chastain Brian Benjamin Chavez Alexander Ritz Clark Austin David Clark Michaela K. Claunch Alexander L. Cognata Ava Grace Collier Kindle Marie Combust Maggie Jane Conley Elliott R. Conner Blake S. Cooper Evelyn Clara Cooper Jack Michael Cooper Tanvi V. Dandavate Jared Reddy Dessary Claire Danielle Davis Savannah Nicole Davis Chloe Elizabeth Day Ethan Shawn Deek Tyrese L. DeGraffenreid Joseph K. DelGennio Katherine S. Delapp Caleb J. Demars Keller H. Despain Addison Gail Deavers Luol D. Ding Damien C. Dixon Henry Dominguez Castellanos Anna JOLENE DONICA LUKE David Dornfeld Chloe and Marie Douglas Gabriel and Michelle Duncan Claire Evelyn Edwards Dylan Wayne Edwards Elsa Balin Elizalde Barrera Rivera Iris Marie Elliott Katherine Elizabeth Ellis Hudson Andrew Elwood Olivia May Embry Ella Jo Ingallao Olivia Marie England Gabrielle Matea Fauber Lindsay Marie Fidow Savannah Kayte Spellows Daniel A.
Fernandez Jimenez Sulmi Esmeralda Ferrer Ocampo Marco Antonio Figueroa Bryce Kent Fischer John Ryan Fishboat Diane L. Fontanes Franco Lofton James Forney Faline Ray Fox Farah Fox Angelus Frangela de la Vega Carley Elizabeth Freeman Kennedy Lauren Gallentine Matteo Santiago Gomez Lamadrid Amit Gangadara Myra Teresa Garcia Christian Gomez Cardoso Valeria Gomez Pedral Carlota Elena Gonzales Nuñez Nico Y Goto Ram Gowda Hannah Nicole Gower Kaden Matthew Graham Gabriella Marie Graham Josiah M. Green Keegan Allen Green Davis E. Gregory Abigail R. Greider Bracie Marie Grimes Hayley Lynn Grimes Kenyon Matthew Gunther Tyler Ethan Gulley Breanna Claire Guthrie Daniel B. Gutierrez Guillermo Guzman Presenda James Antonio Hall Elena Diane Harris Keegan Brenner Harris Lauren Elaine Harris Logan MK Harris Rachel Denae Harrison Paige K. Hatter Abigail A. Henderson Laura Claire Heredia Karina Hernandez Kevin Hernandez Zarate Grace May Hewitt Olivia Shea Higgins Evie Louise Hipwood Logan Matthew Hoback Aubrey Hobbs Sophia Nicole Denise Lynn Hodnett Lane Arina Hoflinger Connor M.
Hoffman Zoe Raylin Hogue Tiara M. Holland Vanessa Noel Holloway Riley Ann Holmes Nia Ann Holt McKenzie Ann Horn Rylan Paul Huddle Ella Rose Howard Kelly Riley Hunter Logan M. Hurt Moncy Mugatrao Indulkar Megan Colleen Ives Rihanna Jackson Sidon Jain Dylan Andrew James Aryan Viraj Johnny Justin Josmar Jimenez Yimy Osmar Jimenez Olivia Suzanne Johnson Alexis G. Jones Mason A. Jones Neftali Juarez Lopez Mauricio Juarez Trujillo Amritanshu Kaur Jessica Lauren Kimsey Zachary A. Kaiser David Komiyama Mckenzie Dawn Cribbs Aboyech Kual Brennan K. Cushman William Spencer Kushner Kaylee Angeline Cute Eric Demetri Lacey Erin Christine Larson Chloe Jane Lavelle Ivan James Philip Letts Eddie Wai Lin Keaton David Littlejohn Emerson Eileen Logston Charlotte R. Lowhide Samuel Powell Lowhide Daniel D. Long Daniel Lopez-Fernandez Kelsey Marie Lovelace Colby Lee Lovins Alexander Lozano Bryce D. Luttrell Camille Lykens Isabelle Kinsey Lynn Caitlin Loray Mabes Serenity Faith Mack Amelia Marie Maddox Addison Lynn Martin Fisher Lyb Mantue Brylan Wesley Martin.
Everett Ray Mathis. Reagan Nicole Mathis. Gavin C. McCauley. Angelina M. McCray. Betsy Lane McGahey. Kaylee M. McGeorge. Aiden Henry McGill. Cadence Lee McRaw. Philip James McKinley. Zachary M. McLean. Olivia Grace McQuery. William B. McVay. Carlos Enrique Mejia. Antonia Christina Mendez. Daniel Barrientos Mendez. Aseneth Mendoza. Isabella Maria Mercado. McKenzie Grayson Myer. Caleb Xander Michael Hannah Michelle Annie Kenyana Okima Miller Christian T Miller Liam Alexander Milne Jaden Miguel Monroe John Carlos Monroe Alondra Montelongo Three Padarchana Munjuluri Isabelle Hazel Munn Elijah A Murray Ulises Norman Navarrete Lopez Tristan R Nott Obed R Oliva Barrera Alexis Nicole Oliver Guy Jeffrey O'Neal London Ashlyn Orme Adriana M Ortiz Leticia Ortiz Lira Blake Thomas Osborne Alexandra Grace Osborne Braden Noel Osorio Herrera Connor Wayne Page Laney Marie Parker Jasmine Deneen Herrigan Ella Gray Parton Yuti Daneshwar Patel Kaylee Christine Pease Kenzie Christine Pendleton Meghana Penmetsa Sierra Nicole Peppers Christopher A. Perez Max Nitza Victoria Perez de Jesus Braden Andrew Pietro Mason Scott Pietro Gabriel Eric Piper Grishma Pitkar Seth Patrick Poindexter Keegan Taras Polashuk Vey Frankie Nicholas Poliak Hayley Grace Potter Vignesh Pramod Kumar Elise Bryn Preston Kendall Lauren Pryor Isaac Steven Prophet Marissa K.
Pruitt Kaylin Riley Pruitt Jazmine M. Purkey Lydia Marie Putney Esai Quintana Solis Osvaldo Javier Quintero Manuel Jose Ramirez Jazmine A. Ramirez Merino Carson Joe Ramsey Holden Thomas Lee Ramsey Amanda E. Roffas Trevor S. Rowling Ryan D. Rayburn Shelby Rayburn Adam R. Reckers Luke Gordon Revell Rogelio S. Reyes Hernandez Alexis M. Richards Emily Louise Richards Isaac Rippie Riddle Serenity Anthony Riddle Isabella Ridner Luis Fernando Rivera Ramirez Dylan J. Rivera Rodriguez Cole Michael Roberts Diego Rodriguez David Antonio Rodriguez Jackson Roe Catherine Lee Roder Rachel Cecil Rowland. Sierra A. Romero Hernandez. Emiliano Rosales Lopez. Esther Rulo. Miracle Grace Rowland. Rodolfo Enrique Rojo. Emmanuel Rubio. Nola E. Ruble. Garyelis N. Ruiz Concepcion. Caroline Juliet Ruiz Villatoro. Deacon Baron Ruzicka. Maria Koi Saechao. Jaime Salinas Salinas. Beatrice Portela Santana. Sylvia Ashlyn Sass. Braylin Christine Schaudenfro. Abigail Lee Scheffer. Owen Dean Sloggett Roth Raiden Riley Seekers Madison Skyler Service Candace Cheyenne Seward Amelia Nicole Sue Sheets Jason E.
Shewey Daniel J. Simon Salma Anahi Simon Cruz Noriah Yael Simpson Ajay R. Singareddy Brock C. Smith Elijah James Smith Isaiah Joseph Smith Andrew Thomas Steinkuehler Brynn Somerville Seward Rory Lynn Stoffel Aldair Aaron Suarez Gomez Leila Marie Subramanian Manya A. Suresh Madeline Grace Surface Destiny Rose Sweet Misaki Takamoto Arian Rohan Tatness Avery Grace Tays Beatrice Grossman Tessalin Henry D. Thomas Sophia Duvall Thomas Kiko Siri Thompson Tanner William Thompson Elizabeth N. Tindall Akshat P. Tong Humberto Torres the III Emily Torres Cardoza Catherine M. Trish Talia Joe Trejo Karisma R. Turner Tristan J. Tyner Nova June Ohm Esteban Daniel Gurdaneta Murillo Lucero Marisol Urquidi Marco Antonio Utrera Arturo Jesus Valencia Raul Valero Rios Robinder Deepak Varma Angie Allison Vasquez Elizabeth Vasquez Perez Lisbeth Vasquez Perez Kevin Velasquez Castillo Rosalyn Venegas Deshna Venkatachalam Ethan Levi Walter Eli Mitchell Waltz Janine Wong Anna Dawn Warnock Evan J. Webber Lydia Jean Weed Dane R.
Winesapple Grace Elizabeth Wheatley Caitlin Ray White Gilbert F. Whitfield Aidan James Whitley Macy Elizabeth Weddington Angel Lynn Williams Delaney A. Williams Nick Gallo Williams Samantha Ann Williams Drake Dominic Wilson Lillian Morgan Wolter Ryan Michael Wormer Abayomi Helen Wright Hillary Young Jasmine M. Young Preetham R. Yerramreddy Vincent Y. Zhang David Mianquin Young Jaden James Durell Zoltan So rather lowers than the doors. And pause it just a little bit. Over exaggerate your reach. You kidding me right now? One last act of rebellion. Is that what this is about? Will you all PLEASE RISE AND HONOR the graduated CLASS OF 2024? You guys can go off whenever you want. You can walk off. Meet the crowd. Go over to the diploma. See you. Yep. See you. Have a My hands dead after all this stuff. Yeah. Some neck exercises. Oh, yeah. My parents think it's okay to get down and walk in front of these kids and get out of the way, right?
Following courtesy or what do you call that? Common sense. Tell me that it's trying to get out of this mess here. Yeah, well. Join the club. I don't know. There were a couple as they were coming across parents I thought were going to try to jump through. I was like No. You can wait. No. Oh, you got them down here. See them? She's got a I know what she should do. She waits. Notwithstanding. You can wait. 11:26. That took longer than normal. Wait till you get this class coming in. Is section three over here? Section three? Yeah. I see four. Well, it'll be next to it. I don't know what's behind the lady in green over here. There's a section sign. I don't know what that is. My dad said he's in section three. I'm just trying to locate him. It doesn't help when one of my eyes is still trying to focus after being closed for that long.