A relatively small graduating class of 17 Boulder Elementary eighth graders received their diplomas Monday evening, joined by six graduates from the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation who also received instruction at the school.
Principal David Jamison kicked off the 40-minute ceremony by thanking parents and staff before handing the microphone to Math, History, and PE teacher Sam Heaton to introduce guest speaker Devyn Ottman, who taught math and vocational skills and served as middle school counselor.
Ottman recalled teaching some of the graduates as fourth graders during the COVID-19 pandemic and commended the class for their resilience. “There were masks, new rules, and hand sanitizer everywhere, and still you showed up with curiosity, resilience, and heart,” she said.
A slideshow highlighted some of the graduates’ experiences at Boulder Elementary, before the graduates gave family and friends the potted plants they had grown over the past school year.
Then came the moment the future high school students had been waiting for: each departing eighth grader walked up to shake the hands of school staff and accept their diploma. Most of the class seemed glad to start summer break and head toward freshman year.
Graduate Levi Baker felt relieved to be done with middle school and excited to move on. Teagen Thornock remembered his time at the school fondly, particularly his time with staff and classmates.
“They’re really good people, they’re really nice, they’re probably the best part of my day,” he told The Monitor. His favorite teachers, Heaton and science teacher Connie McCauley, “always pushed me farther,” he added.
Thornock will see a lot of familiar faces in the fall, as all 17 Boulder Elementary graduates are set to attend Jefferson High. Ottman will join them, becoming a counselor at the high school.
