22 graduate from Carrie Lane High School in Charles City

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

Carrie Lane High School celebrated the graduation of 22 students with a commencement program on Saturday, May 27.

Friends and family filled the pews of First Congregational Church, which hosts the Charles City Community School District’s alternative high school program, to recognize the Class of 2023 for their milestone achievement.

“To see you guys grow up like this into who you are, it’s pretty awesome,” said school coordinator Joshua Dean.

Celebrating special achievements, Cheryl Erb of the National 19th Amendment Society recognized graduating student Paris Armstrong with the first Carol Cooper Achievement Award and alternative education hall of fame teacher Don Betts presented Hailey Novak with the Guillermo Gonzalez Alumni Scholarship.

Along with student speakers Nicholas Rodriguez, Paris Armstrong and Breanna Siverly, Coordinator Dean spoke about his fond memories of the students, passing along a final bit of advice about overcoming obstacles in life.

“Rips in life, they just happen,” said Dean. “It’s how you respond to it that is what’s important.”

Following the speakers, Dean and Innovative Campus Administrative Support Julie Molstead presented the students with their diplomas.

Receiving their diplomas and celebrating the start of the next chapter of their lives were Paris Armstrong, Jada Driscoll, Jamaria Foster, Justyn Gilson-Kranzke, Andres Gonzalez, Maddisen Hall, Shyanne Hennick, Chase Herron, Miracle Kolheim, Rebeka Lawler, Bethany Marion, Hailey Novak, Corden Poyner, Daisy Putney, Leah Robbins, Nicholas Rodriguez, Breanna Siverly, Alexandra Smith, Tyesha Stendel, Damien Thornton, Lydia Vaughn, and Carter Zorzi .