‘Reaching for the Stars’ ceremony honors 248 Fort Atkinson High School graduates

By Kim McDarison 

Some 248 Fort Atkinson High School Class of 2023 graduates received their diplomas Sunday during a commencement ceremony titled: “Reaching for the Stars.” 

The ceremony marked the 135th held by the Fort Atkinson High School. 

During the ceremony, several speakers addressed the graduates, including the Class of 2023 President Jack Schepp, School District of Fort Atkinson Superintendent Rob Abbott, two members of the class — Diana Sampayo and Citlalli Torres — who introduced foreign exchange students, student speaker Valentina Santamaria Munañte, and faculty speaker Todd Carter. 

The class was presented for graduation by Fort Atkinson High School Principal Leigh Ann Scheuerell. 

Members of the district’s administration and its board of education participated in awarding diplomas to students as the crossed the ceremonial stage.   

Speeches and remarks 

Delivering comments to his fellow graduates and their guests, Schepp said the day marked “the end of a chapter.” 

“We are leaving behind our childhood and charting a new beginning as adults, whether it be in the workforce or higher education,” he said. 

He said information learned within the classrooms while attending the Fort Atkinson High School would have “a profound impact on the paths we take.” 

He remembered, “fondly,” he said, a fellow classmate, Lily Zimdars, whom, he said, although no longer “here in person,” would hold “a special place in our hearts and we know that she would want us to always be kind to others.” 

According to her obituary, Zimdars died in April of 2020, after, the obituary read, “she succumbed to the quiet and shadowy effects of depression.” 

Citing challenges faced by the Class of 2023, Schepp noted the COVID-19 pandemic and its “reverberating effects,” saying: “We struggled with the loss of connection physically, mentally and emotionally,” noting further losses such as canceled events, extracurricular activities, and for some, he said, there was the loss of friends and family members. 

“I lost my father to COVID a little over a year ago,” Schepp said. 

Still, he said, as a class, “every time we got knocked down, we got back up.” 

He added: “I can genuinely say that I am proud of each and every one of you in front of me wearing a cap and gown today.” 

Abbott next arrived at the podium. 

He asked graduates and guests to recognize the Class of 2023’s conclusion to a “13-year journey.” 

“Beyond our graduates, it is important for me to recognize all of the district staff who have worked tirelessly over these many years to help our students develop …” he said. 

As graduates embarking upon a time of transition, Abbott said, “I encourage you to take a bit of an inventory of your supports, your go-tos, when challenges pop up.” 

He described those supports as “a guaranteed cheerleader,” as graduates forged ahead. 

He also pointed to the opportunity for changes and forming new relationships, and he offered some advice: “Be open to those who you choose to surround yourself with, they need to be a source of support, a source of laughter, a source of motivation, and a source that helps you reach your ever-heightening goals.” 

In closing, he said, “Our world is, and will be, an increasingly complicated place; while you cannot change it by yourself, you can have a significant impact, if you choose to do so.” 

Sampayo and Torres arrived together at the podium, with Sampayo noting that the high school, each year, welcomes multiple foreign exchange students. 

Through the program, she said, “we get to develop long-lasting friendships with these students, and their friendships have changed our perspective of how different life is around the world.” 

This year, Sampayo said, the high school welcomed five foreign exchange students, noting that Isabel DePau, of Belgium, spent the first half of the school year in Fort Atkinson, and was not present for the graduation ceremony. Four other foreign exchange students were invited on stage, including: Nelia Dondrille, from New Caledonia; Jose Andres Hernandez Castelazo, from Mexico; Klaudia Jablonska, from Iceland, and Maria Manca, from Italy. 

Munañte, from the podium, described the high school experience. Addressing her classmates, she said: “As we look back on the past four years, we can all agree that our high school experience has been filled with ups and downs. We’ve laughed, cried, and most importantly, (have) grown together. 

“Stand(ing) in the doorway of the future,” she said, “we must remember that this is just the beginning.” 

At the podium, Carter, a high school social studies teacher, said he was filling in for his colleague “Mr. (Anthony) Swantz,” whom, he said, “would be too emotional to deliver this speech.” Swantz is among teachers who retired from the district this year, he said. 

Within his speech, Carter recognized those students who would be serving in the military, along with guests at the ceremony who had or are serving in the military. 

Carter said that when he asked his mother about what he should say in his speech, she gave this advice: “get a job.” 

He also advised: “Don’t be anxious.” 

He continued: “Graduates and guests, don’t be nervous about the future … Make a plan, but remember, it is not a plan for life; the plan will change as the hill changes. Just enjoy each and every run.” 

Photos from the event follow.