Congratulations to the Class of 2021!
Welcome to our graduation page! Here, you'll find tributes to each of our seniors and photos and video from our graduation ceremony. Many thanks to everyone who made this ceremony possible:
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Graduation Program
Click the pages to see full-scale images, or download the PDF here.
Video of Ceremony
Thanks to Alyson Krisher with Alpine Tree Films for filming our graduation ceremony!
Highlight video:
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Full video:
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Graduation ceremony photos
Thank you, Jason Moore, for taking photos! See more photos from graduation week here.
Graduate Tributes
Scroll below to peruse all tributes, or click on a name to jump directly to their section.
Huntter Berry
“Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” - Dale Carnegie
Huntter, you did it man! Congrats! This has been a trying year for everyone, and you have shown up even when you didn’t want to. I know that you have goals in life, but I want you to remember to be happy.
Sometimes you have to choose happiness, and in order to do that you have to let the small stuff go and focus on the important things we all cherish: family, friends, and community. Without those pillars in life, there will be no one to celebrate the success we have. Be kind to yourself, and the rest will fall into place.
- Steve
Huntter, you did it man! Congrats! This has been a trying year for everyone, and you have shown up even when you didn’t want to. I know that you have goals in life, but I want you to remember to be happy.
Sometimes you have to choose happiness, and in order to do that you have to let the small stuff go and focus on the important things we all cherish: family, friends, and community. Without those pillars in life, there will be no one to celebrate the success we have. Be kind to yourself, and the rest will fall into place.
- Steve
Sawyer Foreman
I’ve been thoroughly entertained as your advisor these last two years. We’ve had great discussions, overcome plenty of disagreements, but always settled on amicable ground with each other. Since I’ve known you, you have been a champion for justice. You hold strong convictions, and in any situation, you can be counted on to look out for others.
Your love for animals and interest in the Peace Corps are reflective of these traits. You’re a critical thinker and fast to challenge the status quo and question authority. Good. Capitalize on this passion. There will be many instances of doubt and uncertainty in your life beyond CCHS. In these times, turn to your convictions and values for guidance. Know that a life serving others, whether animals or people, is admirable. If there is one habit I could emphatically recommend, it would be to find something to look forward to everyday. Continue making art. Get your exercise in. Hang out with your friends. Come fight me. But make it intentional.
Congratulations on staying the course and seeing high school through to completion. You’ll look back on this accomplishment someday (maybe far) in the future, and be glad that you made this choice. I wish you the best in your future endeavors, and I hope they take you to far places, literally and figuratively.
- Danny
Your love for animals and interest in the Peace Corps are reflective of these traits. You’re a critical thinker and fast to challenge the status quo and question authority. Good. Capitalize on this passion. There will be many instances of doubt and uncertainty in your life beyond CCHS. In these times, turn to your convictions and values for guidance. Know that a life serving others, whether animals or people, is admirable. If there is one habit I could emphatically recommend, it would be to find something to look forward to everyday. Continue making art. Get your exercise in. Hang out with your friends. Come fight me. But make it intentional.
Congratulations on staying the course and seeing high school through to completion. You’ll look back on this accomplishment someday (maybe far) in the future, and be glad that you made this choice. I wish you the best in your future endeavors, and I hope they take you to far places, literally and figuratively.
- Danny
Nick Francis
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have met and gotten to know you in just the slightest way. Thank you for getting it done this year, I know how tough it was for you to come in and make it happen, but you did it! Thank you for sharing with me and being open and vulnerable. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Congratulations and I am so proud of you!!
- Nancy
I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you earn that diploma. You have worked so hard for this moment, overcome so many challenges. It has been a pleasure getting to know you these past few years. You are a deep thinker, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see that thinking shine through in so many ways through our time in the English classroom. And now I get to see you spread your wings into the community! One step at a time, Nick - you’ve got this.
- Christine
- Nancy
I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you earn that diploma. You have worked so hard for this moment, overcome so many challenges. It has been a pleasure getting to know you these past few years. You are a deep thinker, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see that thinking shine through in so many ways through our time in the English classroom. And now I get to see you spread your wings into the community! One step at a time, Nick - you’ve got this.
- Christine
Gage Glovan
“Don’t fight the problem, decide it.” General George C. Marshall
Gage, words cannot describe how incredibly proud I am that you have achieved this goal of graduation. Who would have thought that all those years ago when I taught you in fifth grade that I’d get to have a hand in helping you towards graduation. I’ve seen hard work, grit, and determination from you and you should be proud of this accomplishment.
Your will to put your head down and work is admirable, and I know that if you apply the same grit and determination to your next season of life you will achieve great things.
Congratulations, and get after it! Also just know that I am probably always going to look for ways to prank you, even though you’re not my advisee anymore.
- Steve
Gage, words cannot describe how incredibly proud I am that you have achieved this goal of graduation. Who would have thought that all those years ago when I taught you in fifth grade that I’d get to have a hand in helping you towards graduation. I’ve seen hard work, grit, and determination from you and you should be proud of this accomplishment.
Your will to put your head down and work is admirable, and I know that if you apply the same grit and determination to your next season of life you will achieve great things.
Congratulations, and get after it! Also just know that I am probably always going to look for ways to prank you, even though you’re not my advisee anymore.
- Steve
Jared Horton
“it is only kindness that makes sense anymore” - Naomi Shihab Nye, Kindness
Jared, I have been so grateful to get to know you this past year. Even when you were frustrated with math, doubtful about graduation, or dealing with other setbacks, you stuck to your true character: a young man who is kind, respectful, and hard-working. Thank you for being a rock for me this year; when my day was getting frustrating, you would be there, asking me how I’m doing, saying something kind. Those moments were so valuable to me.
Thank you for your leadership in service learning, for your creative senior research paper, and for being a model of maturity and diligence within CCHS. You have such a bright future ahead of you, and I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
- Robiny
Jared, I have been so grateful to get to know you this past year. Even when you were frustrated with math, doubtful about graduation, or dealing with other setbacks, you stuck to your true character: a young man who is kind, respectful, and hard-working. Thank you for being a rock for me this year; when my day was getting frustrating, you would be there, asking me how I’m doing, saying something kind. Those moments were so valuable to me.
Thank you for your leadership in service learning, for your creative senior research paper, and for being a model of maturity and diligence within CCHS. You have such a bright future ahead of you, and I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
- Robiny
Edwin Mabey
Fine then,
I’ll take it, the tree seems to say, a new slick leaf
unfurling like a fist to an open palm, I’ll take it all.
- Ada Limón, Instructions on Not Giving Up
Edwin, I have been so impressed by you this year. While other seniors had to rush to finish by the end of the year, you coasted to your graduation without a hitch, and not by coincidence. You understood your goals (graduating early), your motivations (breaking others’ expectations), and your abilities.
And even while pushing yourself, you never lost your sense of kindness, respectfulness, and humor. This is a great feat, and bodes well for your future. I’m so proud of you, Edwin, and I can’t wait to see you flying across the sky someday!
- Robiny
It has been an honor watching you grow these past few years. It’s hard to remember the mini Edwin we met three years ago! You have flourished during your time at CCHS, and it is difficult to imagine the school without you. I am so proud of the challenges you have overcome, of the many ways you have pushed yourself, and of the successes that helped you graduate a year early. You have so much to share with the world. Enjoy adventuring, and come back to say hi once in a while!
- Christine
I’ll take it, the tree seems to say, a new slick leaf
unfurling like a fist to an open palm, I’ll take it all.
- Ada Limón, Instructions on Not Giving Up
Edwin, I have been so impressed by you this year. While other seniors had to rush to finish by the end of the year, you coasted to your graduation without a hitch, and not by coincidence. You understood your goals (graduating early), your motivations (breaking others’ expectations), and your abilities.
And even while pushing yourself, you never lost your sense of kindness, respectfulness, and humor. This is a great feat, and bodes well for your future. I’m so proud of you, Edwin, and I can’t wait to see you flying across the sky someday!
- Robiny
It has been an honor watching you grow these past few years. It’s hard to remember the mini Edwin we met three years ago! You have flourished during your time at CCHS, and it is difficult to imagine the school without you. I am so proud of the challenges you have overcome, of the many ways you have pushed yourself, and of the successes that helped you graduate a year early. You have so much to share with the world. Enjoy adventuring, and come back to say hi once in a while!
- Christine
Dezirea Martinez
“Most people need love and acceptance more than they need advice.” - Bob Goff
Dez, I don’t feel like there’s much I can offer you in the way of advice. You were a spectacle to behold this year with how motivated you were to be done with school. I always knew I could count on you for your honesty and integrity. I love how you were a consistent positive presence for the younger students and how you never hesitated to help those in need.
The only advice I can really share with you is to never forget to take care of you. Be kind to yourself. Congrats on graduating and going to college! I know you will do great things in your life, and I cannot wait to see you doing the things you’ve always dreamed of!
- Steve
Dez, I don’t feel like there’s much I can offer you in the way of advice. You were a spectacle to behold this year with how motivated you were to be done with school. I always knew I could count on you for your honesty and integrity. I love how you were a consistent positive presence for the younger students and how you never hesitated to help those in need.
The only advice I can really share with you is to never forget to take care of you. Be kind to yourself. Congrats on graduating and going to college! I know you will do great things in your life, and I cannot wait to see you doing the things you’ve always dreamed of!
- Steve
Luke Mullen
And this season lasted one moment, like the pause
Between dusk and darkness, between fury and peace,
But, for such as our earth is now, it lasted long.
- Derek Walcott, The Season of Phantasmal Peace
Luke, the first time I met you, you walked into my office and Christine said, “And here’s our least favorite student, Luke.” After my initial shock, I realized that she meant just the opposite--that you were a student who was very easy to love. Over time, I learned that sarcasm was your love language. This shows a lot about you: your intelligence, your humor, and your ability to be entirely blunt with us and with yourself.
I’ve so appreciated your mature and thoughtful contributions to our advisory, and the big dreams that you carry around on your drummer-slumped shoulders. You have a brilliant future ahead of you, and I can’t see what you do with it.
- Robiny
Oh, Luke. You have so much to give the world. I hope you hold on to that - to your spunk, to your drive, to your non-sugar-coating-ness. The world needs your honesty and creativity, your sense of humor and your intelligence. I loved our conversations in English class and advisory and will always appreciate your eye rolls and honest replies. Now that you’ve finally earned that PE credit, go take the world by storm!
- Christine
Between dusk and darkness, between fury and peace,
But, for such as our earth is now, it lasted long.
- Derek Walcott, The Season of Phantasmal Peace
Luke, the first time I met you, you walked into my office and Christine said, “And here’s our least favorite student, Luke.” After my initial shock, I realized that she meant just the opposite--that you were a student who was very easy to love. Over time, I learned that sarcasm was your love language. This shows a lot about you: your intelligence, your humor, and your ability to be entirely blunt with us and with yourself.
I’ve so appreciated your mature and thoughtful contributions to our advisory, and the big dreams that you carry around on your drummer-slumped shoulders. You have a brilliant future ahead of you, and I can’t see what you do with it.
- Robiny
Oh, Luke. You have so much to give the world. I hope you hold on to that - to your spunk, to your drive, to your non-sugar-coating-ness. The world needs your honesty and creativity, your sense of humor and your intelligence. I loved our conversations in English class and advisory and will always appreciate your eye rolls and honest replies. Now that you’ve finally earned that PE credit, go take the world by storm!
- Christine
Nyla Reano-Fitch
If I cling to circumstances I could feel
Not responsible. Only she who says
She did not choose, is the loser in the end.
- Adrienne Rich, (The Floating Poem, Unnumbered)
Nyla, you will be a success because you will always insist on choosing your path. You are never one to blame circumstances for a failure, or shirk a responsibility. Every day, you are living according to your own values and your own visions (even when those visions include laying on my floor instead of doing math).
Thank you for the burst of light you bring into our school every morning, and for keeping us on our toes around what color you’ll be stylin’ in every day. Thank you for being present with the work, for calling us out when we mess up, and for being a friend to students and faculty alike. You are an innate leader, and I can’t wait to see what you stir up in the world.
- Robiny
I cannot wait to see the gifts you bring to the world. You radiate light and laughter, but through a lens of independence and irreverence that are so… YOU. I appreciate the thoughtfulness you bring to every task (I mean, until you reach your limit, and then it’s very evident that you are done, haha. But it’s also good to know your boundaries, and I very much respect you for that!)
I am grateful to have had you in our community for two years - and am so glad you took the opportunity to live in Mexico for a spell! I am sure that won’t be the only time you live out of the States. Please, please send pictures of your future adventures!
- Christine
Not responsible. Only she who says
She did not choose, is the loser in the end.
- Adrienne Rich, (The Floating Poem, Unnumbered)
Nyla, you will be a success because you will always insist on choosing your path. You are never one to blame circumstances for a failure, or shirk a responsibility. Every day, you are living according to your own values and your own visions (even when those visions include laying on my floor instead of doing math).
Thank you for the burst of light you bring into our school every morning, and for keeping us on our toes around what color you’ll be stylin’ in every day. Thank you for being present with the work, for calling us out when we mess up, and for being a friend to students and faculty alike. You are an innate leader, and I can’t wait to see what you stir up in the world.
- Robiny
I cannot wait to see the gifts you bring to the world. You radiate light and laughter, but through a lens of independence and irreverence that are so… YOU. I appreciate the thoughtfulness you bring to every task (I mean, until you reach your limit, and then it’s very evident that you are done, haha. But it’s also good to know your boundaries, and I very much respect you for that!)
I am grateful to have had you in our community for two years - and am so glad you took the opportunity to live in Mexico for a spell! I am sure that won’t be the only time you live out of the States. Please, please send pictures of your future adventures!
- Christine
Myles Shuey
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
- Alfred Lord Tennyson, Ulysses
Myles, I’ve so enjoyed seeing you strive over the past few months. You are an incredibly bright student, and for that reason, you are a student who wants to control his own path.
Over time, I came to understand that your diploma wouldn’t be something we gave to you; it would be something you earned through your own planning and execution. In your own way, you faced down challenges and changes to make steady progress in your courses and craft the education you want. Now, as we approach graduation, I’ve loved seeing you smiling, laughing, and joking around--proof that perhaps it all has been worth it. Thank you for being a part of my advisory this year, Myles. I can’t wait to see what your future holds.
- Robiny
I am so grateful to have worked with you over the past few years. It hasn’t always been easy, and I know you have been frustrated by some of our approaches, but I really respect and value your input and perspective. You have made CCHS a better school because of your willingness to voice your opinion. I have valued our conversations, I have loved cheering on your successes, and I have appreciated watching you grow into who you are today. I will sincerely miss having you at CCHS, but I can’t wait to see what comes next for you!
- Christine
- Alfred Lord Tennyson, Ulysses
Myles, I’ve so enjoyed seeing you strive over the past few months. You are an incredibly bright student, and for that reason, you are a student who wants to control his own path.
Over time, I came to understand that your diploma wouldn’t be something we gave to you; it would be something you earned through your own planning and execution. In your own way, you faced down challenges and changes to make steady progress in your courses and craft the education you want. Now, as we approach graduation, I’ve loved seeing you smiling, laughing, and joking around--proof that perhaps it all has been worth it. Thank you for being a part of my advisory this year, Myles. I can’t wait to see what your future holds.
- Robiny
I am so grateful to have worked with you over the past few years. It hasn’t always been easy, and I know you have been frustrated by some of our approaches, but I really respect and value your input and perspective. You have made CCHS a better school because of your willingness to voice your opinion. I have valued our conversations, I have loved cheering on your successes, and I have appreciated watching you grow into who you are today. I will sincerely miss having you at CCHS, but I can’t wait to see what comes next for you!
- Christine
Daniel Stevenson
As one of your kind might say, “It’s been ballin’ and gettin’ loose these past two years.” We’ve had some great times working together in Math, Technology, Personal Finance, and Advisory. We’ve had great life discussions, heated debates, and shared bomb memes. You and Sawyer were a great team and challenged me consistently, to which I say “Good.” I’m a stronger advisor because of it.
For your future endeavors, I encourage you to wholly embrace and incorporate the following knowledge.
Congratulations on this accomplishment, Daniel. I hope you find exciting adventures in your future, and wish you well in the trials ahead. Fair Winds and Following Seas.
- Danny
For your future endeavors, I encourage you to wholly embrace and incorporate the following knowledge.
- “Marines seek responsibility, and take responsibility at every opportunity.” Take extreme ownership of your circumstances and choices in every reasonable situation. Taking ownership empowers you, gives you control over your personal battlespace, and paves the way for solutions. You will earn respect and consistently better yourself if you make this a habit.
- Say “Good” to adversity. See Jocko Willink’s video for more details. Every challenge, every hurdle, every inconvenience, is an opportunity to problem solve, grow, and better yourself.
Congratulations on this accomplishment, Daniel. I hope you find exciting adventures in your future, and wish you well in the trials ahead. Fair Winds and Following Seas.
- Danny
Josh Zimmerman
Josh, I’ve been choosing a line of poetry for each of my advisory graduates, but for you, I couldn’t resist choosing two.
The first:
If Elvis Presley/ is
King
Who is James Brown,
God?
- Amiri Baraka, In the Funk World
And the second:
come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.
- Lucille Clifton, won’t you celebrate with me
Even if it doesn’t always feel that way, your time at CCHS has been a celebration. You have overcome countless setbacks, doubts, and frustrations to not only satisfy graduation requirements but to be extremely successful. I have loved hearing you grapple with big questions, like, “What is success?” “What is my role in the world?” or “How can I be a kind person without yielding to others’ views?” These questions show that you are an incredibly deep thinker, a caring community member, and a smart student. I know you will change the world, because you already have inspired so many around you. And when your checklists aren’t going quite the way you expected them to, take a breath and remember how strong you are and what good you can do.
I’m so proud of you, Josh. Congratulations on graduating.
- Robiny
The first:
If Elvis Presley/ is
King
Who is James Brown,
God?
- Amiri Baraka, In the Funk World
And the second:
come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.
- Lucille Clifton, won’t you celebrate with me
Even if it doesn’t always feel that way, your time at CCHS has been a celebration. You have overcome countless setbacks, doubts, and frustrations to not only satisfy graduation requirements but to be extremely successful. I have loved hearing you grapple with big questions, like, “What is success?” “What is my role in the world?” or “How can I be a kind person without yielding to others’ views?” These questions show that you are an incredibly deep thinker, a caring community member, and a smart student. I know you will change the world, because you already have inspired so many around you. And when your checklists aren’t going quite the way you expected them to, take a breath and remember how strong you are and what good you can do.
I’m so proud of you, Josh. Congratulations on graduating.
- Robiny