Ceremonies held for six Carrie Lane grads on Saturday

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Six students celebrated at commencement ceremonies Saturday for the Carrie Lane High School program.

2022 Carrie Lane graduates Trimel Christian, Kiannah Tobin, Erica David, Justin Gilson-Kranzke, Kaleb Herman and Nicolas Prior were presented with their diplomas by teacher Josh Dean and Director Don Betts.

Betts is retiring from his role as director after 27 years. He presented the closing speech and led the graduates down the aisle.

Betts told the graduates to “pay attention to the signs,” and shared a quote he attributed to songwriter Bob Marley.

“Life is one big road with lots of signs,” the quote states. “So when you are riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind.”

Betts held up several signs that he has had on his office walls over the years, and shared them with the graduates. One sign said “Be Accountable.”

“Be accountable to yourself, be accountable to your family, be accountable to your job and be accountable to your community,” Betts said. “The reason you guys are here today, graduating, is because you were accountable.”

Kiannah Tobin was class speaker at the ceremonies, which were held at First Congregational Church in Charles City. She said that on her first day of orientation at Carrie Lane, she either didn’t like any of the other students or she didn’t know them, but that changed.

“I’ve made a lot of friendships here that I didn’t know I would make,” Tobin said. “I’m glad I did, because I believe these will become lifelong friendships.”

Dean also made a speech at the commencement and presented a special video tribute to Betts, with several comments from former Carrie Lane students.

Dean told the graduates that the secret to life was to find the one thing that drives you that you are passionate about.

“You’ve got to find that in your life,” he said. “Then you can be busy every day, but it is enjoyable, and doesn’t feel like work.”

Graduate Kaleb Herman was presented with a special $500 scholarship. The 2022 Carrie Lane class motto is, “Life’s not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Each graduate selected his or her own class colors for their cap and gown, “a reflection of the unique individuality of the Class of 2022 graduates.”