Class speaker Luis Avalos addressing the class of 2022. Photo by Cyote Williams

Clear skies and bright futures were on display Sunday for the graduating class from South Tama High School.

Class speaker Luis Avalos took the stage decorated in cords to come before his fellow students one last time.

“The challenges we’ve gone through have genuinely sucked, but they’ve made us stronger,” he said. “I encourage the class of 2022 to look to the left and right, take in and share this one final moment and reminisce on the last four years one final time.”

The Class of 2022 is one of the many graduating classes across the country and the world who had the pandemic fall smack dab in the middle of their high school experience.

Avalos capped his speech with a quote from actor Danny Devito — “We don’t even know if we’re in this room right now. We could be in a turtle’s dream in outer space.”

Valedictorian Josephine Tyynismaa speaking to the class of 2022. Photo by Cyote Williams

Valedictorian Josephine Tyynismaa took to the stage to thank teachers and staff for not giving up on them during their senior slumps.

“The past four years have been interesting. We got through our freshman year and then the pandemic hit. We had to learn to live with adversity. These experiences taught us how to handle stress,” she said.

Tyynismaa encouraged her class to “look at the new experiences you have in front of you, be open minded and try new things. That’s how we find out what we are passionate about. Have faith in yourself and be kind to others.”

Faculty speaker Emily Chyma spoke passionately about the senior class.

“We have six students who have already graduated from MCC, thespians and singers who have state recognition, talented artists, and a state champion track athlete,” she said.

South Tama high school class of 2022 tossing their caps into the air to celebrate their graduation. Photo by Cyote Williams

Chyma encouraged the students of this class to be themselves, and find their ‘why’.

“You have to find your ‘why.’ A career can narrow you down to a title. Instead of a title, find your why. We need to be living, not just making a living. My why is hallway conversations, working with a student and seeing when things finally click for them, seeing someone accomplish their dreams and seeing their friends be just as proud of them as they would be of themselves,” she said. “All of you are my why. I hope you all find a why as amazing as mine.”

The future is bright for the Class of 2022. Not many generations have faced a global pandemic in the middle of their high school life, but the STC seniors took it on the chin and made the most of it.