In a year that was uncertain and often challenging, the students celebrated their accomplishments with a large crowd of family looking on.

Those attending were welcomed by Dan Johnston, high school principal, who shared his admiration for the class and all that the students overcame during the pandemic to reach this point.

Ally Hanus, class president, offered her welcome to her classmates and the family members attending. She asked for a moment of silence to remember classmate Colton Jones, who died May 31, 2020. A chair draped with a purple graduation gown and with a red rose resting upon it, served as a remembrance during the ceremony.

The class speaker was Faith Anderson, who likened her classmates’ journey to the chapters of a book, from elementary school, through middle school to the years they spent in the halls of Webster City High School.

-Messenger photo by Anne Blankenship
Jack Van Diest gives his mother, Beth Van Diest, school board president, a hug as she awards him his diploma. Van Diest was one of 121 students to receive their diplomas from Webster City High School Sunday afternoon.

Associate Principal Pat Farley introduced the 10 students who were named the 3.75 Cessna Scholars — Faith Anderson, Gemma Borer, Sean Carver, Emma Collicott, Alyssa Delaney, Tavis Eklund, Ally Hanus, Taylor Hayden, Katherine Piaszynski and Jack Van Diest.

Then, as each name was read, 121 students crossed the stage to receive their diplomas from Superintendent Mandy Ross and Beth Van Diest, school board president.

When each had received his or her diploma, the students rose, moved the tassel to the opposite side of their caps and then tossed the caps high into the air with a celebratory shout.

-Messenger photo by Anne Blankenship
Gemma Borer poses with her diploma Sunday after the Webster City High School commencement ceremony. The event, held at the school’s competition gym, delivered 121 diplomas to graduating seniors.