Farewell, Libby class of 2015

With a final lesson focusing on choice and gratitude, the 82 members of the Class of 2015 were sent on their way Saturday during graduation ceremonies at Libby High School.

Class salutatorian Isaak Jones focused on giving thanks to family, friends, educators and community members during his address to the gathering. All of those people helped the class achieve its motto, “Start unknown, finish unforgettable,” Jones said.

“Without our teachers and administrators and the education they have given us, we would still be unknown,” he said.

Jones asked the class to look around the room at all their family members and friends.

“Take a minute and look around and take it all in,” he said. “Those are the people who have loved you and helped you and supported you.”

Co-valedictorian Michael Curtiss told his classmates to remember friendships and those who inspired them over the years.

“I don’t know what the future holds,” he said. “Maybe all our dreams will come true, but I know we will have triumphs and losses.”

Curtiss stressed the importance of individual choice in determining that future.

“However good or bad our results may be, we still cannot give up this precious freedom.”

Co-valedictorian Hailey Craig also focused on choice.

“We have to ask ourselves, am I the person I want to be now, or can I be a better person,” she said.

Craig called the future “a great unknown” that can be influenced by choices made.

“We can shape the future to our liking, and we can change what doesn’t work,” she said.

Honorary speaker Jeff Gruber, a history teacher at Libby High School and a 1984 graduate, began by noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the current high school building. The first graduating class at the new facility received their diplomas in Ralph Tate Gym on May 24, 1965.

“I think we have the same sound system too,” Gruber quipped, noting audio difficulties faced by the speakers.

Gruber delivered a brief history lesson on the American public education system, set up in the nation’s early days to enable the citizens to run their own country.

“This was a radical idea at the time,” he said. “No other country in the world did that.”

Gruber said he realized he was expected to give the class some advice.

“That seems to be the norm for commencement speakers,” he said.

He summed up his advice in one word: gratitude.

Gruber told the class to be grateful for the era in which they live, because in earlier times many people were considered inferior for reasons such as sex, race, and other differences. He told them to be thankful for living in a country with freedom of opportunity, and for those who paid the bill for their education – a total investment of more than $6 million, he said.

He also reminded them to be grateful for their hometown.

“Be thankful that you grew up in the most beautiful town in the most beautiful state in America,” he said.

Members of the Libby High School Class of 2015 are listed below. Honor students (GPA 3.5-3.74) are designated with an asterisk (*), with two asterisks representing high honors (GPA 3.75+). 

Jessica E. Adamson

Luke Norman Adamson

Elijah Alspaw**

William Sterling Arnold

Daniel Francis Banich

Richard J. Barriga

Auria J. Benefield*

Cody W. Benefield

Kacie Brianne Berget

Tyler J. Boyd

Walter Javier Briones

Cooper McGinnis Brown

Travis Allen Burrell

Gage Neil Cichosz

Christopher L. Counts

Zachary Michael Willman Crace

Hailey Ann Craig**

Michael Hollise Curtiss**

Gabrielle Therese DeLeo*

Clay Hunter Edgmon*

Hannah Raye England**

Cassidy Marion Ennenga

Travis L. Espinosa

Vitaly Fobes

Kelsi D’nae Fox

Devan James Fuhlendorf**

Devon Kristine Gallagher

Sharee Socorro Gallegos

Dayln Bren Germany**

Taylor Marie Good

Roman Mark Graziano

Miguel Angel Hernandez

Jordan Lee Holder

Caleb Hooper

Collin Lee Johnson**

Donald Byron Johnson-Sharp

Asia Marie Jones

Isaak John Jones**

Keiton Lawrence Julson

Teesa Marie Kelley

Ceara Orenlynn Kyle

Dylon Wade Lane

Holly JoAnne Leggins

Samuel Carl Lowry

Austin Marshall*

Dallas Erin Massey

Cheyenne Viola-Glee McInnis

Jessica Marie Miller**

Jerry Olen Mitchell

Larry James Mitchell

Hailley Nicole Moe**

Chance Wayne Moody

Cody Jack Nelson

Levi D. Olson

Eric R. Orr

Michaela C. Parent

Izaiah William Paul

Levi R. Paulsen

Samantha Breann Reagan-Nelson

Rachel Anna Rebo**

Aaron Reed-Brewer

Staci Regh

Rhian Marie Rice

Dylan Cole Whitman Roby*

Shannon Rowberry

Paige Shaver

Robert Sabatian Shaw

Hannah Shriner

Makana Ray Shriner**

Sierra Dawn Sigea

Patrick L. Smith

Lana Marie Snyder

Shyla V. Stevenson**

Hanna Rae Stewart

Colton James Thom*

Billy Reno Topaz

Mahalah Dawn Wedel**

McKenzie Kiera Williams

Dakota Skyl Wingate

David Michael Winter

Jacob Terrance Wood*

Tucker Austen Zimmerman