TROY – With 390 graduates brimming with energy and potential, a 2005 Troy Buchanan High School graduate had some specific advice for them and their family.

“Family and friends of the graduates, this weekend when you are celebrating with your new grads, I invite you to listen to them as they share their dream. New grads, please share the biggest, boldest, you hit the lottery version of your dream,” Dr. Missy Seeker said during last week’s commencement ceremony. “I want your family to record it. I want them to record that moment. So if someday you take a wrong turn or find a steep incline that you can’t climb, you can watch that video. You can remember why you are on your journey. You can remember why you chose this road. And instead of turning around, you will be inspired by this day, this moment to keep going.”

With scores of seniors receiving up to $6 million collectively in college scholarships, a dozen graduates receiving career and technical education certificates and three more immediately joining the military, potential and dreams were the keywords of the graduation.

“This turning of a chapter can be one of the most exciting times of life. It’s a chance to step boldly into the unknown and write new stories and to seek out adventures that will shape who you become,” Senior Speaker Brookelynn Myers said. “This is not the end of your story. It’s the beginning of a brand new chapter filled with adventures waiting to be written.”

During his introductory remarks, Troy Buchanan High School Principal Brian Brown embraced a lighthearted approach to reminiscing when the senior class were first freshmen.

“I’m reminded of how quickly time passes, and how much growth occurs within those four years of high school,” he said. “To further illustrate just how quickly time passes, if you can remember … in 2021, your conversations with friends may have included … cringe, savage, lit, and vague. Fast forward to 2025, and I’m here to tell you bussin, rizz, no cap, and my personal favorite, delulu.”

In earnest, Brown said that change in slang illustrates the adaptability of the Class of 2025.

“This comparison illustrates how fast … you’ve had to adapt and how naturally you’ve done it. In language, in school, in life, you’ve always been able to figure it out,” he said. “In fact, the work force we’re heading into has changed just as quickly. When you enter high school, employers are looking for skills such as analytical thinking, complex problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.”

And Brown said that adaptability can also breed needed resiliency.

“You see, graduates, the world doesn’t care just about how much you know, it’s looking for how well you adapt. Resilience is a key to your success,” he said. “Having some will allow you to bounce forward, not just bounce back. It’s what lets you grow from failure, adapt to change, and stay focused on your journey.”

Lincoln County R-3 Superintendent Matt Frederickson extolled the many virtues of what will be his first class of graduates.

“I’ve had the distinct pleasure of getting to know some of our seniors … and I’ve seen firsthand the character, the excellence, and the heart this class embodies,” he said. “This transition though is more than a ceremony. It’s a turning point. It’s the threshold between the familiar halls of high school and the wide unfolding path of adulthood. You’re stepping into a world full of new experiences, new responsibilities, and new opportunities to grow. You’ll find yourself tested and inspired and changed by what lies ahead but also amazed by your capacity to learn.”

Another 2005 TBHS grad, Rob Zuroweste reminded all the graduates that no matter their post-secondary plans, hard work is important.

“College is a great option, but it’s not the only one. Skilled trades build hard work. They pay well,” he said. “They offer incredible careers without college debt. Become effective in hard work …. what matters is that you keep learning, keep growing, and chase what makes you proud. Your future is in your hands. College or not, success is yours to create.”

He also stressed everyone was on equal footing after graduating.

“Today, you all wear the same caps. You sit in the same seats and are going to walk across the same stage. No one’s asking you how you got here anymore,” Zuroweste said. “Because from this point on, it’s not about how you started. It’s about where you’re going. Life will not measure your work on your GPA (grade point average) or how many times you fell. It will measure what you choose to do with what you’ve learned. About yourself, about your perseverance, about grit.”

Finally, Myers encouraged her classmates to blaze their own path and avoid comparing themselves to others.

“Comparison kills excellence. Each and every one of us is carefully crafted with extraordinary gifts that are unique to one another,” she said. “And each and every one of you is capable of greatness.”