CFHS grads set to take on world
(Photo by MARY MALONE) Clark Fork High School graduates Hunter Boudousquie, left, and Aaron Heigis, right, grabbed their roses and locked arms to join their classmates at the front of the auditorium Wednesday night to receive the diplomas and officially become part of the graduating class of 2017.
(Photo by MARY MALONE)Clark Fork High School seniors Lia Crumpton, front left, and Dustie Jackman, front right, were all smiles Wednesday night as they entered the autorium with their classmates — the class of 2017.
(Photo by MARY MALONE)Clark Fork High School's 2017 valedictorian, Max Icardo, gets a big hug after delivering his speech and receiving his diploma Wendesday night.
(Photo by MARY MALONE) Nona Young, right, was the salutatorian Wednesday evening, representing Clark Fork High School's class of 2017.
(Photo by MARY MALONE) Conorey Vogel was congratulated by family after recieving his diploma, along with his 12 classmates, as they became Clark Fork High School's graduating class of 2017.
(Photo by MARY MALONE) Clark Fork High School graduates gave roses to family during Wednesday's graduation ceremony, and valedictorian Max Icardo gave his to one of the younger audience members.
(Photo by MARY MALONE) Clark Fork High School graduate Hunter Boudousquie, who learned how to spell his name as a youngster using the Mickey Mouse song, poses with Brenda Haase, a CFHS staff member who was also the track coach for him and some of the other graduates.
(Photo by MARY MALONE) Clark Fork High School graduate Emily Garman's cap says it all — "Just did it."
(Photo by MARY MALONE)Clark Fork High School graduate Hunter Boudousquie with girlfriend Calli Laybourne and his younger sister, Corrine Boudousquie.
(Photo by MARY MALONE) Even the smallest of family members came out to celebrate Wednesday. Clark Fork High School graduate Allison Warner was joined by her 5-month-old neice, Madison, as she prepared to walk with the rest of her class to receive their diplomas.
(Photo by MARY MALONE) Everyone needs a friend when it comes to getting ready for graduation, as was the case with Emily Garman Wednesday as she prepared to walk with her classmates as Clark Fork High School's class of 2017.
(Photo by MARY MALONE)Clark Fork High School graduates were having a bit of fun before Wednesday's ceremony got underway.
(Photo by MARY MALONE) Clark Fork High School's graduating class of 2017, from left, Jensen Heisel, Conorey Vogel, Max Icardo, Dustie Jackman, Lia Crumpton, Aaron Heigis, Hunter Boudousquie, Naomi Hlavka, Torri Foltz, Allison Warner, Emily Garman, Spencer Jeffres and Nona Young.
CLARK FORK — Laughter and tears ensued as the Clark Fork High School graduation got underway Wednesday — well, maybe more laughter than tears.
Max Icardo took to the podium as valedictorian, and like Icardo, his speech was not the traditional type.
"The one thing myself and my classmates here have been working toward our entire lives is over," Icardo began. "That sounds spectacular, and as most of you know, it is. While the rest of these dweebs got to be celebrating and enjoying themselves, I get yet another assignment to be stressing over ... Luckily, earlier today while I was looking up tips on how to write a graduation speech, I stumbled upon a reminder of who the audience really is today — the graduating class of 2017."
Icardo turned the podium so he faced his classmates and continued his speech, pointing out that the teachers devoted their lives to teaching them day after day, while he and his classmates "barely even made it through high school." He thanked the staff and the community, urging the others to do the same. He made a few more jests with serious connotation before ending on, mostly, an earnest note.
"While you all might have hopes and dreams and aspirations — well, some of you, I mean — please don't get too caught up in them," Icardo said. "If you spend all of your time with your sights set on the future, you are going to realized that, at the end, you let a lot of your life slip past unnoticed. Remember to have some fun along the way and stop and smell the roses every now and again. Good luck out there and congratulations, class of 2017."
Salutatorian Nona Young had also tried to keep it light with a few jokes, but tears threatened as she reminisced on the years she and her classmates spent together, the "happy moments and the sad moments."
"We've had each other's backs and we always will," she said. "I'm honored to call these people my brothers and sisters ... To my classmates, my brothers and sisters, thank you for the lasting memories and the imprints you have made on my heart. I am so proud of each and every one of you for overcoming personal obstacles and still making it to this stage."
She ended with a Joe Dirt quote: "You've got to keep on keepin' on. Life's a garden — dig it. You've got to make it work for you."
After the ceremony, Young said it felt good to graduate and is happy to be a part of the Clark Fork community. She actually moved west of Dover a few years back, but continued her education with those with whom she had grown up.
Young and two of her classmates, Emily Garman and Spencer Jeffres, had walked arm-in-arm as the first graduates to enter auditorium. The trio had gone to school together since preschool, so they would not have it any other way.
"We've been planning this our whole high school career, " Garman said.
Young said Icardo, Allison Warner and Conorey Vogel had attended school with the trio since kindergarten as well.
Garman plans to attend Lewis-Clark State College in the fall and Young is heading to North Idaho College, but said after sharing so many years together, a little distance between them won't separate their friendship.
Some of the graduates, including Torri Foltz and Warner, also plan to attend NIC, so Young looks forward to seeing some of her classmates next year. Another graduate, Hunter Boudousquie, plans to go on a church mission for two years, but still has postsecondary plans afterward.
In fact, all 13 graduates have postsecondary education plans, said Principal Phil Kemink. During a recent scholarship night, the students pulled in more than $115,000 in scholarships.
"That is an absolutely outstanding feat," Kemink said. "There is not a single student sitting up there who did not received some sort of scholarship money this year."
All graduates have a different outlook on leaving high school, but most are excited to move on to the next stage of their lives. When asked how he felt about finishing high school and moving on, Boudousquie put it into perspective:
"It's about darn time," he said.
Clark Fork graduates also include Lia Crumpton, Aaron Heigis, Jensen Heisel, Naomi Hlavka and Dustie Jackman.
Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter@MaryDailyBee.