SARGENT - In the commencement ceremony at Sargent High School, 21 seniors walked into the gymnasium on May 23, decked out in caps, gowns, and smiles, ready to finish their high school journey, in front of about 200 people.  

The welcome and introduction given by K-12 Principal Michelle David, and Superintendent Andrea Davis. Awards were given out to teachers, and staff members, and then senior Salutatorian Josiah Yocom was called to the podium to speak. 

“This is my seventh and final year of being a Sargent Farmer, and I just want to say what an experience,” he said. “I don’t think I would have had a remotely similar experience anywhere else, and I truly am happy about that. I will give you some examples. Every year here, I have run cross country and seen some of the world’s most beautiful and scenic destinations. In sixth grade I took a school-sponsored swimming trip in the middle of school; it was just awesome, and I learned a lot about swimming. In middle school, I went on to take a school sponsored skiing trip. I moved here from Kansas City, Missouri, do you think that they had anything of the sort there, not at all.”  

Yocom said that in some workplaces, and schools people call a school their family, he said that he knows in Sargent, whether it be elementary, middle, or high school, that it is valid, that people become family. 

“I have never seen a school so close nit, and so powerful in its numbers. The people I spend my time with at school are probably people I wouldn’t have interacted with in a bigger place, and it’s been so lovely. My calculus teacher is one of my best friends,” he stated with a chuckle. “This school has taken a complete outsider from Kansas City, Missouri, and turned him into a Sargent Farmer. I think that speaks to the school’s unique ability to foster connections. This community is more meaningful than I could ever comprehend. Thank you for giving me a space to learn and connections I will keep forever.”  

Yocom then introduced Sargent Valedictorian Emma Sewell.  

“I, like many of my other classmates, have been a part of the Sargent community since preschool. We truly have created memories here, ones that will last forever. As kids, we created many special experiences in elementary. Some of my most memorable memories are from high school, football games, camping, and hanging out with my friends every Wednesday. Also to mention, swimming, and swimming and more swimming,” she said.  

Sewell said that other events that are memorable to her included, Knowledge Bowl, FBLA, Senior Fair, and her senior trip, stating that she knows she will hold all those experiences dear to her heart forever. 

Sewell said Sargent has opportunity. 

“We may not have the most classes, the best amenities, or greatest sport team, but every student here at Sargent has the ability to join every club, every sport, and pretty much every class. Specifically, for me, the greatest opportunity I have had here was being able to join the aviation program. Without this program I wouldn’t have been able to discover my passion, take my first flight, or attend flight school in California. It has been the greatest opportunity of my life so far, and I thank Sargent for that,” she said.  

Sewell said that she especially wanted to thank her teacher who helped her discover the world of flight, another for allowing her to use the whiteboard for problems, her swim Coach Anna Gearhart, for pushing her and challenging her, and her best friends for all the memories. 

“The most important people I have to thank today are my family, my brother, who always knew how to put a smile on my face, to my dad thank you for being my rock, to my sister, thank you for being my best friend, and mom, thank you for being my comfort and my loudest cheerleader,” she said. 

Sewell said that she loved them all. 

“Class of 2025 thank you for giving me a great high school experience for the future, continue to have fun and seize every opportunity that comes your way. Thank you and good luck,” she said.  

A presentation of flowers was given to special people in the students’ lives, along with a class video that brought smiles, laughter and tears from many of the graduating seniors.  

The Sargent School District Board of Education and Superintendent David led the diploma ceremony. This was extra memorable as they were given to the students by people who impacted their lives during their school years.  

David then held a closing presentation along with the turning of the tassel ceremony to celebrate the graduated class of Sargent for 2025.