North Gem walks the stage

The graduating class of North Gem earned their final recognitions last week as the twelve seniors took a stroll across the stage to collect their diplomas.  The relatively quick ceremony to some extent belied the years of work and memories that went into making the moment possible.

With the accompaniment of Anne Olorenshaw, the graduates entered the gym to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” as a full audience of friends, family, and North Gem students past and present watched on.

Graduation in Bancroft is a time for everyone to spend at least one more night together after all these years.

 An invocation was offered by Kymberli Jensen.

Hyrum Barnes provided the introduction and led the Pledge of
Allegiance.

Salutatorian Jack Curtis spoke to the crowd first.  “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.  Tonight is a very special night, and a very surprising night for me especially.  I would be lying if I said I thought I would be here, not just as Salutatorian, but as a graduating member of this class.”  Curtis explained that throughout the year he had had a number of things affect him that made it unclear to him at times whether he would make it through the year.  “I begged and pleaded with my parents to let me drop out,” he said.  “But my friends and family convinced me to stay and take the opportunity to graduate with the senior class.  Through these last months, I learned that endurance is key to success.  Endurance and willpower are the two things that will build your future.  Forget about looking good for the public.  Forget about putting on a show to meet their expectations.  Meet your own expectations.  Look good for you, not them.  No one wants to see you succeed more than you, and God of course.  He is one your side, when you forget about public opinion…Success does not look the same for everyone…I would like to thank you all.” 

Salutatorian Jack Curtis

Valedictorian Parker Hill spoke next.  “I am going to skip over the normal stuff and get to it.  I wanted to leave a few pieces of advice tonight.  First, stay curious in everything you do.  If you stay curious and keep asking questions, you will learn so much more than you ever expected.  Learn about the world around you…the ones who already know everything are always wrong.”  Hill then stated that “Second, remember that this is not the end.  Every experience, whether good or bad, can help us.”  He ended with the point “Third, hold on to your inner self.”

Guest Speaker Lacy Whiting then addressed the students and parents to a lot of laughter.  Whiting is a graduate of the North Gem class of 1998, and is now a para-educator.  She was introduced by Shalyn Thompson, who said of her, “Lacy is a true local, born and raised in Bancroft.  And if you know her, you know you can count on her.  She’s dependable, caring, and always ready to make people laugh.  She’s the kind of person who knows how to have fun, cheer people on, and make them feel supported wherever she goes.”

“These graduates asked me to speak, and I’m not sure who allowed this, but they probably should be fired,” Whiting joked.  After explaining that her students knew she had a small swearing problem, but that she had been allowed to use a few as long as they were “Bible words,” Whiting entertained the crowd with her advice to the students of the class of 2026.

“It’s been an honor to watch you kids grow into such amazing youth,” she said.   “We’ve gone through a lot of changes together—I watched them grow up, they watched me grow out…The boys and I actually started growing beards at the same time,” she joked.  

The senior class joined together to sing "Battle Hymn of the Republic"

 With good humor and a core of clear pride in the North Gem students, Whiting gave them some advice she had learned growing up, such as “only you can prevent forest fires, and never put a penny on the railroad tracks.”

More seriously, she said, “I know that every one of you will do amazing things.  Do not be afraid to make mistakes.  Find something that you don’t mind doing every day for the rest of your life, and figure out how to get paid for it.”

Following Whiting, Sadie Daniels presented the class gift, which was a carpet runner mat to prevent slipping on the floor in wet weather..

The class of 2026 then as a group sang “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”  

Diplomas were presented by Raini Hayden, following the introduction of the class by Rick Hatch.  The Board of Trustees for North Gem is made of Chair Brandi Wakley, Vice-Chair Dr. Phil Knox, Clerk Krissy Lamont, and trustees MaLissa Barfuss and Marc Holbrook. 

A slideshow presentation by Myken Rindlisbaker brought nostalgic tears to many eyes, as a look back at the 13 years of school can be a lot to take in all at once, especially for the parents for whom those years had flown by. 

At the end of the evening, hats were thrown!

Graduates for 2026 were:

* Hyrum Barnes (Class
Vice President)

** Jack Curtis

* Sadie Daniels (Class 

President)

* Sage Daniels

* Haydn Frandsen (Class 

Representative)

Landon Hayes

** Parker Hill

* Kymberli Jensen

** Gracie Josephson

** Myken Rindlisbaker
(Class Secretary)

** Shalyn Thompson

** Craig Yost

* Honors

** High Honors