In his commencement speech, Class President Aaron Lursen said their future lives may be more like a maze than a straightforward path.

“Each maze is unique and only you can find the right path,” he told his classmates.

Lursen urged his fellow graduates to find their own way in life instead of heeding what others think they should do or be.

“I beg of you, don’t limit yourselves to what people say you should be,” he said.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Sean Flaherty, of Fort Dodge, gives his sister, St. Edmond graduate Katie Flaherty, a high five after she receives her diploma on Saturday at St. Edmond High School

Not long before Lursen offered his parting advice, the graduates came into the gym clad in green caps and gowns to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance.” Many of them also wore multiple cords around their necks, with a gold cord designating National Honor Society members, a green and white cord designating honor graduates and silver cords denoting service letter winners.

Standing before his classmates seated in the middle of the gym, Lursen joked about desperately searching the internet for a speech.

He thanked the St. Edmond faculty and staff for their help in each graduate’s journey. He also thanked the parents of the Class of 2023, who he said, “sacrificed so much financially to allow us to attend St. Edmond.”

“Up to this moment, high school has been the single most important thing in our lives,” Lursen said. “What we have done, what we haven’t done, who we hang out with have all been key identifying traits.”

Now, he said, they must begin “adulting.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Graduate Yoon-Sang Kim takes a selfie with his parents Jeyoung Kim, left, and Myungjin Jang after the St. Edmond commencement ceremony on Sunday.

“God has a plan for each one of us,” he added.

In his welcoming remarks, Monsignor Kevin McCoy, pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, noted the important role of the graduates’ parents.

“Parents are the primary teachers of their children,” he said. “St. Edmond is privileged to be able to partner with you in the formation of your children.”

Early in the ceremony, the honor guard of the 133rd Test Squadron, the Iowa Air National Guard unit based in Fort Dodge, brought the American flag into the gym for the playing of the national anthem.

Tosha Prier, academic advisor for the St. Edmond high school students, read a long list of honors racked up by the Class of 2023.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Graduate Sylvia Hess screams for joy after the St. Edmond commencement ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

When each graduate came to the stage, they were handed their diplomas by Ann Schulte, the chairwoman of the St. Edmond Catholic School Board.

The Rev. Ross Caniglia, the school’s chaplain, provided the invocation and benediction, while the St. Edmond Catholic Concert Band performed all the music.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
The St. Edmond Class of 2023 tosses their caps in the air after singing the St. Edmond school song on Sunday.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
St. Edmond graduates, left to right, Addison Schulte, Sylvia Hess and Madysen Halverson jump for joy after graduating from St. Edmond on Sunday.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Lilian Shin helps fellow graduate Kevin O'Connor with his cap before the St. Edmond commencement ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Alivia Torkelson gives a heart symbol to her family as she walks down the aisle during St. Edmond commencement ceremony on Saturday

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Graduate Braydon Smith lets his younger brother Deacon Smith, 11 months, play with his tassel after St. Edmond commencement on Sunday.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
St. Edmond graduates, from left, Aaron Lursen and Carter Rial practice their unique handshake after St. Edmond commencement ceremonies on Sunday.