The weather was fine as the graduates prepared for their entrance. Pinning the tulip and baby’s breath boutonnieres to their gowns, whether purple or black, required some expertise. However, once attached, the colors were not only attractive adornments, but endowed with significance.
Tulips symbolize perfection, rebirth, and new beginnings. The color white, loyalty and honesty and purple, success.
Somewhat comfortable in their academic regalia, the graduates would soon walk before the audience and sit together for one last time.
The venue was the Lou Graslie Field, a familiar spot for sporting events, and since 2020, an open-air venue for graduation ceremonies.
“It was always my dream to have an outdoor ceremony.” Principal Matt Raba explained, but uncertainty of South Dakota spring weather was always a drawback. However, all of that changed in 2020, during covid when social distancing became the expected norm.
For Principal Raba, graduation is the most important event of the year. And he always takes special care to ensure the sanctity of the ceremony.
Altogether, 82 graduates including the alternative school students chose to walk on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
There is protocol for academic regalia. Everyone wears the graduation robe, either black or purple. Appropriate formal attire for the ceremony is expected. Students are not allowed to alter their caps and gowns, unless approved by Mr. Raba. Students may wear cords that activities during the four years of high school.
Under a blue sky with little cloud cover, the graduates entered as the High School Band under the direction of Mr. Pennel played “Pomp and Circumstance”.
Once situated, the graduates and audience stood for the national anthem performed by the senior choir members and accompanied by Lucy Cole.
Mr. Raba introduced each speaker.
Senior Class President Harvey Walding delivered an offering of gratitude to all of those who have made the graduation journey a success.
Superintendent Orin Thompson welcomed the parents, graduates and community. The Belle Fourche High School Choir performed “Colors of the Wind”.
Next on the agenda was Mr. Raba’s recognition to students who have earned academic honors, Honor Society members, and Regents Scholars.
Mr. Raba introduced the Class Salutatorian Lily Nore and Valedictorian Lydia Main. Each delivered an address to the student body.
Salutatorian Lily Nore thanked the teachers, staff, parents and community for their commitment to her graduating class. She explained that the most powerful actions are the small things that make life better for everyone. “You matter. And you are capable.” She told her classmates. “We can have bad days but no down days”.
Valedictorian Lydia Main expressed gratitude to parents, teachers, and mentors who have always been present as she described how Belle Fourche High School has provided a warm home for her and her classmates during the past four years.
Diplomas were presented by School Board President Scott Reder and Superintendent Orin Thompson.
Graduates honored were Alexa Guadalupe, Alarcon Peyton, Dean Alexander, Pason Dwayne Allen, Levi Matthew Anderson, Bostin Joe Anderson-Jenkins, Hunter Stone Baker, Sydney Rose Baker, Derrick Alan Bellew, Elijah Jon Braning, Nora Irene Bricker, Evan Ray Byrom, Aleyah Nicole Carbajal, Grey Kenneth Carlson, Braeden Andrew Chapman, Evan David Daniels, Ozzy John Franklin Dixon, Michael Joe Dodson, Taiten Wayne Eaton, Evin Grant Gabbard, Kaydance Joy Gallagher ,Oscar Alejandro Garcia-Avina ,Amiyah Nicole Gomez, María Sofía Gonzáles Reyes, Carlee Jeanne Grady, Killian Noel Hockenbarry, Alexis Mae Hogan, Kelly Homola, Sarah Marie Horst, Payton Christopher Jackson, Jet Allen Jensen, Allison Marie Jewett, Sterling Brayden Jones, Shauntey Mae Kerr,
Taya Lynn Kirstine, Alexandra Jolene Klocek, Soren Michael Peter Kopp, Kaylor Rae Kudlock, Rachel Lyn Lee, Wyatt Michael Lesmeister, Thomas Joseph Long, Miryah Avaline Lundin, Carter James Lyons, Allie Adele Mailloux, Lydia Grace Main, David Leon Marshall, Kai Rainlyn Marshall, Sara Mateos-Pato, Asia Mazzotta, Jordan Fay McCulloch, Brayden Lawrence Meemken, Chloe Dawn Merjil, Bailey Ann Moke, Maximus Lee Mundt, Lily Markell Nore,
Kailey Phyllis Nowowiejski, Kashton Timothy Ostenson-Le LaCheur, Markus Arthur Overstreet, Darian Michael Pesicka, Viktória Prosňanská, Joshua Aaron Rasmussen, Brooklyn Carrie Dawn Roden, Cortez Jozef Rodriguez, Alina Marie Schäfer, Owyn Matthew Schreder, Eli Charles Sechser, Joselyn Grae Shockey, Peyton Ray Staley, Alexandria Ray Stevens, Drake Milton Sutter, Alexa Marie Swaney, Kaisa Elaine Tanninen, Steven Robert Tanska, Abigail Grace Vissia, Isaac Oscar Voyles, Harvey Martin Walding, Selene Paige Walker, Betsy Anne Wilen, Ethan Reazo Wilen, Radlie Mae Williams, Aidan Taven Wood, Gabriel Joseph Ziething.
Once the graduates were instructed to move their tassels from the right to the left, to symbolize the transition to adulthood, the next adventure, they threw their hats in the air in celebration.
Parents, friends, and family joined the Class of 2025 on the field to offer gifts and congratulations.
Read the full issue of the Belle Fourche Beacon by clicking here.
