By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
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Okarche’s Class of 2019 filled a steamy high school auditorium and sweated out their last moments as seniors as decades of graduates had done before them.
Despite the pouring rain and stifling room, graduates beamed with joy and excitedly awaited their diplomas while upper classmen addressed their peers.
Salutatorian Robert Bomhoff began his address with gratitude to his family, friends and teachers while comparing his high school career to the stage. The accomplished teen actor will be attending the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York this fall.
“William Shakespeare said, ‘all the world’s a stage.’ Each individual is the star in their own play so I would like to start by thanking my producers,” Bomhoff said as he thanked his parents and grandparents. “Thank you to my cast, all my friends whether it be a recent season or a lifetime. Thank you to my understudies, all the kids who look up to me and keep me honest.”
He did not fail to mention the Okarche drama department that he has been a part of the past four years.
“Thank you to the House Theater, OHS (Okarche High School) for giving me a place to perform,” he said. “Thank you for the critics for giving me ways to improve. I want to thank my director Mr. Westmoreland. You’ve changed my life forever. You sparked my love for the arts and now look where it is. I never could have achieved what I have and what I hoped to without you.”
Bomhoff turned his attention to the Class of 2019.
“We have cried through a lot,” he said. “Numerous car wrecks and other tragedies. There have been some huge life changes and we are about to experience change tonight. We are all going to go our separate ways. It is sad, yes, but this comes from change. You have all changed my life and I hate to see this change tonight but it is necessary. As our lives change and grow, roll with the punches. These changes mold us. Embrace this change.”
Twin sibling, Katie Bomhoff and valedictorian, reflected on her time at OHS with pride. Bomhoff will attend Johns Hopkins University this fall but also shared the stage with her brother and fellow classmates in the school’s award-winning drama programs.
“Many, many emotions come to my mind when I think of Okarche High School but probably the strongest emotion I have is pride,” she said. “Okarche produces champions. I have had the great honor of being on two state champion teams for One Act. Of course, these championships would not be possible without a cast, tech crew, audience and most importantly a director. Mr. Westmoreland, thank you for investing so much in your students. Without you we wouldn’t have gotten anywhere and for that I am extremely grateful.”
Bomhoff said while not everyone at OHS was graduating as a state champion, her fellow students were their own champions.
“We are champions of something far more important,” she said. “Life. Okarche builds character and as we go through our life we will use our experiences from high school to guide us. And this is what makes me proud to be a Warrior. Some of these character-building skills are present in our last four years together.”
Bomhoff said tragedies and times of need in their community helped build character in the Class of 2019.
“We all worked hard together to accomplish a common goal.”
Valedictorian Jaxcey Beauchamp spoke of being a hesitant transplant to the district from Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in Kingfisher.
“Now I realize that was one of the best choices made for me,” Beauchamp said. “I came to this school in 7th grade and didn’t know anyone. I was nervous and a little scared, but I found a wonderful class to welcome me. Since the beginning of my Okarche High School experience I have made some great memories.”
Some of her memories included hapless antics.
“A very, very bright idea,” she said jokingly, “we did not think about at all was sticking a paper clip into an electrical outlet. Don’t worry, we didn’t catch the school on fire but the person who did it, and I won’t name names, got a little bit shocked.”
On a more serious note, she thanked her teachers and staff.
“Finally, I would like to end my speech with the most important reason I love going to Okarche high school. The school is full of staff who care about you as much as they do their own children,” she said. “I sometimes trusted them more than my own family.”
After thanking his family, valedictorian Tucker Neuenschwander spoke of the lasting bonds among even the most difficult friendships.
“It has really been a great year for us,” he said. “We have made new friends we wouldn’t have thought about when we were freshman. Even though we all argue about the dumbest things during class meetings and end up having to make up in the end, we still care about each other. Friends, in high school, your friends come and go but mostly here they are here to stay.”
Neuenschwander urged his friends to never forget the foundations laid at OHS.
“We’re all going on to achieve bigger and better things but just remember where you came from,” he said. “We’re all Warriors. This school and town are embedded into our bones.”
He reminded his classmates to never forget what it means to be a Warrior.
“Being a Warrior means you do not back down from anything,” he said. “You stand up and grab life strongly, like a snapping turtle. You just hold on and pray that it doesn’t bite your hand off. There are things that are ingrained in us, always succeed in whatever you do, treat others with respect, and lastly leave a legacy. This town has become so close in times of need and times of sorrow. That’s what I love about Okarche. You don’t get that when you go to other schools.”
Seniors honored their mothers with a single rose and enjoyed a serenade by Mason Bomhoff who sang and played his guitar. More than 30 seniors graduated this year.
