By Matt Mackinder
Clarkston News Editor

Independence Township – The Clarkston High School Class of 2023 completed its requirements May 23 by walking across the stage at Pine Knob Music Theatre as part of the annual Commencement ceremony.
There were laughs, tears, back flips, waves to family and friends, hugs, and congratulatory chants from the audience as the school celebrated 50 years graduating at Pine Knob. The first group was the Clarkston Class of 1973.
And the two students that spoke at the event, Keira Tolmie and Angelina Kincannon, left the class with messages of hope, confidence, and positivity.
“We are ready because we went through a world-altering, life-changing pandemic together as freshmen and found ways to continually adapt and improve our ability to stay safe and healthy each year of our high school career,” Tolmie said. “Some of us even experienced unspoken hardships of losing loved ones which somehow made us stronger. Life will always be full of curveballs, and challenges that we cannot anticipate or control, but we have proven that with resilience, determination, love and support, we can navigate any challenges and come out stronger on the other side. For the fact that we have learned to embrace change, we are ready.”
“This is a stroke on our life’s great canvas, a snag on our new Barbie and Hot Wheels backpack, or a small dent on a brand-new car,” added Kincannon. “Just a moment in time we will soon find trouble crashing in on our innocent memories burdened soon by the fruition of adolescent aspirations. We once imagined ourselves where we are now, downed in pride, desperately grasping onto where we once were, only moments ago. ‘It cannot be such a gift,’ we think mournfully, ‘to reflect to way back then,’ but it is such gift for we have not forsaken the lives we have lived, as we graduate now, on to brighter endeavors.”
The Class of 2023 boasts 535 students, with college, the United States military and the workforce the most common destinations.
Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education President Kelli Horst exuded her happiness with all the class accomplished.
“While tonight is full of optimism and pride, it can also be a night of mixed emotions,” Horst said. “Some of you will see tonight as an ending. Others will see it as a beginning. Or maybe you see it as – in the words of Peter Quill at the end of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy – ‘a bit of both.’ My point is, we all see things differently, given the moment.
“Tonight’s ceremony is both an ending and a beginning. Parents can be both beaming with pride and choking back tears. And you, graduates, can be all grown up and still be the students our teachers and staff have known, loved and cared for these last 13 years. No matter how you look at it, you are and always will be part of the Clarkston Community Schools family.”
Dr. Shawn Ryan, CCS superintendent, said looking out at the students and families gave him joy.
“Love comes in many forms, and I see one of the purest forms here tonight when I look out at all of your biggest cheerleaders packing the house on this beautiful night,” Ryan said. “You are their all-star MVP, and tonight is your slam dunk. As you prepare to cross the stage this evening to accept your diploma and officially take that next step in your journey to the top, I know you have a plan. You have goals and a general direction to head in, but know that even the best-laid plans will have a detour or two.
“Already, you are no stranger to detours, as COVID forced you to take a left when your plan was to go right, but your resilience and perseverance got you here today. You should be proud of yourself. I am, and I know all the people here today are proud of you, too.”
“And even though, graduates, things are changing massively for you, wherever you decide to call home, know that you’re loved and accepted here in Clarkston,” added CHS Principal Gary Kaul. “To quote one of your classmates Elizabeth Rosser, love, change, and acceptance are the foundations of our humanity. And just like that young couple starting out, know that you must accept that things will change, you must accept that change, but love is a constant throughout change.”

PHOTO: Elise Dowd salutes family and friends after hearing her name announced at Clarkston High School’s Class of 2023 Commencement ceremony on May 23 at Pine Knob Music Theatre. Photo: Matt Mackinder