updated on May 22, 2018

One-hundred seventy-five seniors graduated Sunday in the Great Bend High School Class of 2018.
The GBHS Band played “Pomp and Circumstance” for the processional and recessional music. Class President Christie Leigh Haberman led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Before members of the school board presented diplomas, there were remarks by Salutatorian Rossiel Reyes, Valedictorian Baleigh Marie Fry, and Principal Tim Friess.

Valedictorian
Fry shared a quote by Linda Ellis, “Your life is made up of two dates and a dash; make the most out of the dash.
“Now, this quote is meant to be about our whole lives, but I believe that this quote fits the many different chapters that we experience in our lifetime,” Fry told her fellow graduates. “Our chapter of being high school students is ending today. We have been in high school for four years, but the start date and end date mean nothing. The countless memories with friends, teammates and classmates should be what we remember the most about our time here at Great Bend High School. ...
“We all know that we can’t relive high school again and most of us probably don’t want to, but if these four years weren’t what you hoped them to be, go out and change that in the next dash of your life.”

Salutatorian
Reyes addressed her fellow graduates in English but repeated one paragraph in Spanish.
“Thank you to every parent, guardian, and/or adult that helped us get here. Everything we have done would have been nothing without you. Thank you.
“Gracias a todos los padres, guardian y adultos que nos ayudaron a llegar aqui. Todo lo que hermos hecho no hubiera sido nada sin ustedes. Gracis,” she said.
“After today, we will all be going our separate ways,” Reyes continued. “As you continue your life in whatever you choose to do, always make sure to take a moment to not only think those around you but also thank yourself because, in the end, it was you that continued to strive forward even when the world seemed to be falling apart.”

Principal’s address
Friess peppers his remarks with quotes from Mark Twain, Robert Fulghum’s poem, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” and an unknown author’s poem, “The Road to Success in Not Straight.”
“All of you will leave here with more knowledge than when you came. Now it is time to start gaining wisdom,” Friess told the graduates. “Today begins your journey into the ‘real world.’ Some of you will go to college, some to work, some to defend our country and some will just go. ... I wish each of you the best in whatever you choose to do and may God bless each of you.”