Havre High Seniors Graduate

Cheers and hugs dominated the scene at Havre High School Sunday as the graduates walked out of the front door, ending the graduation procession and their high school careers.

"I'm so proud of you," one woman, clad in a white gown, said to another. "I was sure you were going to trip."

"I'm proud, too," she responded."I was sure I was going to fall."

Others were more introspective.

"I can't believe I graduated," said Tatiana Ralph. "I know I did, but I can't believe it."

She and classmate Taylor Carson, who said she was "excited" at the day's events, are bound for Montana State University-Northern in the fall.

The excitement followed traditional ceremonies in the jammed-packed Blue Pony Gymnasium, with an overflow crowd watching on a large closed-circuit television.

The ceremony was filled with inspirational words from school officials, and advice and humor from Karla Coy, a guidance counselor and the keynote speaker, Interspersed with the words was inspirational music from the school's symphonic band, the a capella choir and flutist Arjan Pokharel.

Coy told the students not to pay attention to what others say about them, something she admitted is difficult in the era of social media.

"What others say about you is none of your business," she said.

Principal Craig Mueller said graduation means the young people are now part of a distinguished group of Blue Pony alumni.

"You are part of a tradition of excellence," he said.

The students then lined up to one by one receive their diplomas from Mueller and school board members.

School Superintendent Andy Carlson then flipped the tassels on their mortarboards from the left to the right side, and they were officially Havre High School graduates.

There was thunderous applause and cheers of approval as each graduate was called to the stage.

Perhaps the loudest applause came when Jessica Mudge's name was called. She was given a diploma in absentia. She died during her senior year.

Earlier in the ceremony, Mueller lead the crowd in a moment of silence in her honor.

When diplomas were safely in students' hands, they were declared Havre High School graduates, and they followed the tradition of tossing their hats high into the air.

Havre High School graduates of 2015 were:

Gunnar Mark Aageson

Michael Kristian Bakke

Colton Jacob Bender

Jace Tanner Billy

Harlee Suzanne Boucher

Grayson Hunter Brenna

Lauren Rochelle Britt

Wesley Frederick Brown

Shania Lynn Marie Carlson

Taylor Elizabeth Carson

John Allen Chinadle

Makenna Nadine Cody

Michael Maurice Compton

Tyler Joseph Davy

Elijah A. David

Kaleb Steven Dobrenz

David Allen Doran

Janae Marie Downhour

Joshua David Emge

James Etienne

Thomas Craig Flesche

Jacqueline Anne Gallineuax

Brittany Oliva Garden

Dannael Justus Gilead

Kyle Allan Gooch

Alex James Hanson

Paige James Hanson

Erin Olivia Hanson

Paige Catherine Henderson

Garrett Michael Hentschel

Dana Lynn Hernandez

Dustin Paul Hofer

Brandon John Huntington

Levi James Huston

Kirsten Elizabeth Jacobson

Daniella Marie Jeffrey

Brandi Caroline Johnson

Julie Ann Kadrmas

Jase James Kato

Bryce Robert Kinsella

Kyle George Konesky

Jaden Lane Korb

Lindsey Kay Kudrna

Rockwell B. Kuhr

Noah Robert Landgraf

Raven Ray-Wolfgang Lanier

Joslin Michelle LaSalle

David Howard Laux

Brooke Helen LaValley

Jamie Patrick Lieberg

James Wyatt Lindbloom

Sundance Allan Lodge

Rachel JoAnn Majeres

Sarah Grace Manuel

Bailey Scott Martin

Destiny Marie Martin

Derek Joseph Matosich

Ashlee Merie Mayer

Morgan Irene Mazurkiewicz

Tori Jayde Mazurkiewicz

Benjamin Paul McCann

Caleb Michael McLain

Taylor Christine McLain

Jacie Leigh Meldrum

Troy James Mingneau

Kristen Marie Moore

Jessica Ann Mudge

Brenden Kirk Munson

Haley Jordan Nicholson

Meagan Marie Passon

Shalina Marie Pearson

Hannah Webb Pepprock

Tyrell Allen Pierce

Arjan Pokharel

Julea Hope Pratt

Hope Carley Proctor

Megan Ashley Rainey

Tatiana Angelica Ralph

Lieza Helene Reighard

Carlene Mae Rennick

Victoria Helen Reynolds

Brandon Clayton Robertson

Tyres Ray Rodarte

Jordan Michael Schroeder

Trey Palmer Scofield

Noah Benjamin Seigel

Jerid Lippert Simonson

Sarah Elizabeth Snider

Spencer M. Stacy

Dylan Michael Stewart

Ruben James Stewart

Brittney M. Vance

Jordyn Kalynn Warren

Corissa Crystal White

Ashlee Tyree Williamson

Brady Michael Wolf

Matt Todd Woronik