—Messenger photos by Emilie Nelson Jenson
Algona High School Senior Rebecca Hommez, center, holds her phone out to take a pre-graduation selfie with a group of friends.

ALGONA — Algona Community School District welcomed 94 members into the ranks of alumni Sunday afternoon.

Class of 2018 President Kali Garman described the class as having its own unique talents and successes in athletics, music or academics.

“I believe this class is one of the greatest to have come through Algona High School,” Garman said.

Garman said it has been the kindness in the class and community that made her experience in the Algona Community School District memorable.

“Every day I saw us lifting each other up,” she said.

—Messenger photos by Emilie Nelson Jenson
Trevor Bormann, top; Grant Goche and Nick Goche, middle row; and Cole Eden, Collin Sexton and Owen Harms, bottom row, form a human pyramid as they celebrate their graduation from Algona High School Sunday afternoon.

Garman reflected on how she experienced that kindness firsthand following an accident the summer of her freshman year.

“My family and I experienced this kindness firsthand, and we are very lucky to have come from a school district that truly cares,” she said.

In going forward, Garman said she has faith in her fellow graduates to succeed.

“It all comes down to faith,” she said. “Take what you have learned here and put it to good use. I know you are all equipped to handle far more than you can imagine. Your education at Algona High School has equipped you with everything you need to be successful. Your time here has more than prepared you for the real world.”

Rodney Davis, ACSD Board of Education vice president, addressed the class focusing on the class’ selected motto: “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

—Messenger photos by Emilie Nelson Jenson
Zach Ortloff, Dylan Hauptmann, Paker Meyer, Kellen Schmidt and Collin Yi laugh as they pose for a photo with their diplomas following the Algona High School graduation Sunday afternoon.

“I want to talk to you about creating your own trail,” said Davis. “In life there are only a few very important days and memories and your graduation is one of them. “

Davis challenged the graduates to find their way in the world on their own trails.

“You have arrived here by following the footsteps of others,” he said. “But following a specific path is not very challenging. We know the way has been cleared for us.”

Davis told the students to step out of their comfort zones as they pave their way into the future.

“Be courageous; step away from the path that has been cleared for you,” he said. “Our natural mentality makes us take the path of least resistance and it is more empowering to take your own trail. The Algona Community Schools have given you the start to create your own trail that will lead you down an amazing path.”

Students who complete a total of 140 hours of community service over their four years of high school received a silver cord. Twenty- two graduates earned silver cords.

Graduates with a grade-point average of 3.4 or higher donned gold cords around their necks. This year, 44 seniors graduated with gold cord honors.

Various scholarship and award recipients were also announced before each graduate crossed the stage to receive a diploma.