Jay Duncan and Autry Satica deliver the ASB and Senior Class President Address at Lassen High School’s 116th Annual Commencement Ceremony at Arnold Field Friday, June 11. Photos by Sam Williams

Lassen High School’s Class of 2021 celebrates graduation

Lassen High School’s Class of 2021 endured many unusual obstacles — a COVID-19 pandemic, changing class schedules, on-again, off-again distance learning, mask wearing, social distancing, Plexiglas barriers and its entire offering of sports seasons crammed into one small portion of the spring semester.

Despite all those troubling and frustrating trials and tribulations, nearly 175 LHS seniors finally joyfully celebrated their graduation Friday, June 11 with all the pomp and circumstance they and an Arnold Field packed with parents, relatives, friends and well-wishers could muster. After all these kids had been through, nothing was going to spoil the excitement of their completion of high school — that big rite of passage to adulthood.

Confetti showers the Class of 2021 at the conclusion of the Friday, June 11 Graduation Ceremony.

LHS’ 116 Commencement Program began with the Procession of the Flags by the Cadet Corps, followed by the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” Processional of Graduates, a Flag Salute by the Future Farmers of America and a welcome from LHS Superintendent/Principal Morgan Nugent.

Then came the ASB and Senior Class President Addresses by Jay Duncan and Autry Satica; the We Are Lassen Student of the Year Address by Madelaine Vera Curzio; the Salutatorian Address by Lille Hernandez Sweet; and the Valedictorian Address by William Beterbide.

Advertisement

The LHS Concert Choir performed “See You Again,” and Assistant Principal Joshua K. Blackburn served as the Keynote Speaker.

During his speech Blackburn reminded the graduates of God’s love for them, and he asked them to repeat the words he asks his daughters to repeat every evening: I am brave; I am kind; I am smart; I am beautiful; I am courageous; and, most importantly, I am loved.

Blackburn and Guidance Counselor Heather Eastwood announced the Class of 2021; Nugent and Senior Class Advisor Carrie Satica presented the Class of 2021; President of the Lassen Union High School District Board of Trustees Margie Teeter Accepted the Class of 2021; Nugent offered closing remarks; and Jack Duncan and Autry Satica presided over the Turning of the Tassels.

The graduates tossed their caps high in the air were showered with confetti at the conclusion of the ceremony before family and friends visited them on

Advertisement