Friends and family filled every available seat in the New Richmond High School gymnasium Friday night to celebrate the 138th Commencement Ceremony of the Class of 2024.

Class President Ireland Green began the evening's first of seven student addresses by thanking the administration, school board, community, families and teachers.

“Without your shoulder to cry on, hand to hold and the kindness of your heart we wouldn't be who or where we are today,” Ireland said.

Ireland recognized the members of the Class of 2024 who were electing to serve in the military following graduation before paying special tribute to classmate Addyson Kaczmarski who passed away from cancer on Oct. 23, 2023.

“Her smile filled the room, her bravery touched us all and her courage will stay with us forever,” Ireland said.

Noting that her sister Brooklyn gave the president’s address last year, Ireland shared how grateful she was for the example her sister set providing inspiration, guidance and love. She encouraged her classmates to recognize the role models in their lives whether it be a teacher, parent, friend or classmate. 

“As we leave here tonight, let's remember to give thanks to our role models and honor them by becoming role models ourselves,” Ireland said. “Take in their advice and apply it as we continue to inspire others, offer support and be a good example as each and every one of us pursue our own dreams.”

Each of the six Class of 2024 valedictorians had the honor of sharing words of wisdom with their classmates. 

What students had to say

When he addressed the crowd, Cole Trosen described the impatience of youth: the desire for time to pass faster, to skip forward into the future.  

“We can’t wait … Who do you want to be in 10 years?” Trosen asked.

Trosen recognized that in their haste, the path to move forward is not always clear and living on your own for the first time without a support system can be intimidating. 

He offered his classmates this advice.

“All these fears can be managed by looking towards the future, planning for what is to come and

anticipating next steps in life. Continue to set goals and allow yourselves to look into the future so you are best prepared for what is to come.”

While Trosen focused on the future, Bella Baillargeon looked to the past — and how things taken for granted can remind us of how precious the present can be.

Baillargeon said it’s easy to relive our mistakes and our temptation to dwell on the past. She reminded her classmates, however, that to succeed in the future it is imperative to learn from those mistakes.

“I’m not saying that everyone should live in their past. Instead we need to use it as a reminder of what can be. …whether we use these memories to look back on a fond experience or relive important lessons, our past is something we should never forget,” Baillargeon said.

Katelyn Doehrmann emphasized the importance of living in the present. But she did say that living in the moment, being caught up in the pace of youth, can make it difficult to gain perspective and the future can be a scary place. 

“Your feet keep you grounded to the past. Feel the cap on your head. Your head reaches for the clouds as you dream of the future, set goals and work toward achieving them…,” Doehrmann said. “Feel the steady pump of your heart …Your heart keeps you alive, present and aware in the current moment.”

Doehrmann urged her classmates to observe how the threads of the past, present and future are braided together. 

“Graduates. while the passage of time may be more obvious now than ever before, I hope you realize time is not something to fear or something to fight, but something to embrace,” Doehrmann said.

At seven years old, Dave Domingo’s family moved to the United States from the Philippines for his mother to take advantage of a nursing program.

Domingo said the only thing he feared more than leaving behind his home, family members and friends were tornados.

“You can imagine how I felt when I found out Wisconsin was part of Tornado Alley let alone that this town, New Richmond, was uprooted by a historic F5 tornado and that is why it is literally called ‘New’ Richmond,” Domingo said.

Domingo admitted he is still afraid, though now he fears that he is not ready for this next change, that he will be unable to make new friends, afraid of wasting money and picking the wrong subject to study in college, of buckling under the pressure. 

Domingo shared with his classmates that he has learned that bravery and fearlessness are not the same thing. 

“Tonight as you walk across that stage and take that diploma, you might tremble or slip or your heart might pound, but you’ll keep your head held high and smile because you are brave and you'll know you made it to the other side,” Domingo said. “You are not brave because you are not scared, you are brave because you are scared and chose to conquer it.”

Azariah Zappetta credited his parents for raising him with grace, love and instilling Christian values. Whether they are derived from the Christian faith or another source, Zapetta encouraged his classmates to serve others, show compassion and act with good character.  

Zappertta shared five principles with his classmates to help overcome the fear of failure and guide them on the path to success: honor God; give 100% effort; have a positive attitude; reside within the given rules; and always have fun. 

“We will strive for long-term success and contentment in the things that we do, knowing that short-term disappointment and discomfort are inevitable.”

After he was introduced by Zappetta, Nathan Bennig may have had the toughest introduction to live up to, billed as: “Standing a staggering 6 '4”, the greatest fanatic the city has ever seen and the most intelligent man west of the Ohio River.”

The Timberwolves, Vikings and Packers were all beneficiaries of Bennig’s standup routine before he admonished his classmates to remember those who had helped them along their way and to pay that kindness forward by helping others as they pursue success beyond high school.   

“Even when we've gone out into the world and made it big, when some of us are movie stars and millionaires and even principals of our very own high schools, just remember to be thankful to those who took a little time out of their own day to help you,” Bennig said. “Be kind and courageous enough to help others who need help in their own way …remember that needing help isn’t always something that people choose, but is often thrust upon them.” 

Before the 238 seniors crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, Principal Nichole Benson presented the Class of 2024.

“We are extremely proud of your accomplishments here and wish you all the best in the future. This class is characterized by its leadership, its school spirit and its positive mindset. You’ve served as wonderful role models to our other students and I am truly grateful for that,” Benson said. “I hereby recognize the full competition of graduation requirements and expectations as set forth by the School District of New Richmond. Therefore I do recommend to the members of the school board the Class of 2024 for the distinction of graduation.”