Ten Sleep graduation this weekend

Ten Sleep’s Class of 2023 will toss up their caps at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 14 in the Ten Sleep Gymnasium.

The class of seven’s valedictorian is Kinley Anderson, who will be honored alongside salutatorian Walker Cooper. Classmates Calvin Baker, Kevin Fuchs, Jillian Miller, Elijah Mitchell and Ian Turgeon will also receive their diplomas.

Ten Sleep Schools Principal Robert Griffin said, “This is my first year leading the Pioneers, and this class has been amazing to lead.”

Griffin noted that Ten Sleep was able to have a football team this year for the first time in a long time, thanks in part to senior football leaders Mitchell, Cooper and Turgeon, who were recognized by the state for sportsmanship as well as academic success.

Griffin recognized Anderson’s support of the Ten Sleep volleyball team, which also made a reappearance this year, “Our volleyball team was incredibly inspiring, as the team agreed to play with only 5 players… Every match these girls battled knowing that they would lose a point automatically every time the rotation went to the sixth player. In spite of the difficulties of playing every game with only five, the team remained positive and enjoyed playing. I think this had to do with Kinley [Anderson] and the leadership she supplied.”

Academics were also a strength of the Class of 2023, and Griffin noted Mitchell’s appointment to West Point Military Academy as well as Anderson’s receipt of the University of Wyoming’s Trustees Scholarship as major accomplishments. The class will be splitting off in their own directions in pursuit of their goals, with Cooper set to attend UW, Fuchs Northwest College and Turgeon Sheridan Community College.

Baker, Griffin noted, has already entered the workforce and intends to become a truck driver. Miller will stay in the area to remain involved in her younger brother’s life after the recent passing of their mother.

“Truly it is going to be exciting to see the future of each of these students, as I think they will excel in whatever they choose to do,” Griffin said.

The Class of 2023 chose The Lion King’s “Hakuna Matata” as their class song, with red, white and blue as their class colors. White daffodils will serve as the class flower. The class selected the quote, “Today is the tomorrow we waited for yesterday,” author unknown, for their motto.

Griffin said, “I have fond memories of my first year as a principal with this group of leaders and I truly appreciate and thank them for being so understanding in my first year. I use this quote often, but I think it fits this class perfectly, ‘Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right,’ by Henry Ford. This class knows they can, and I’m sure they will do great things as they move on to the next phase of their lives.”