North Tama County Community High School held Commencement for the Class of 2022 this past Sunday, May 15, in the gym, sending 39 seniors off to “new beginnings,” in the words of Superintendent David Hill.

“Many of you entered these halls as young, impressionable five-year-olds,” Hill began his short remarks halfway through the program, presenting the Class of 2022.

“Graduation is not an end to your learning, it’s a new beginning,” Hill further said as he stood on the gym stage, addressing the graduates seated to his left, dressed in red (boys) and white (girls) caps and gowns.

The ceremony began at 2:00 p.m. with the Processional of the graduates into the gym accompanied by the North Tama Concert Band under the direction of teacher Channing Halstead performing “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Class President Camden Clausen provided opening remarks, telling his fellow Redhawk graduates, “We’ve had a weird couple of years” – in reference to the many ups and downs this class has experienced since the pandemic descended on the world during the spring of their sophomore year.

The band then played a stirring rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by the pop hit “Wake Me Up” by the artist Avicii and arranged by Tom Wallace.

After the band’s performances, a Mixed Senior Chorus under the direction of teacher T.j. Shay sang “See You Again” – a pop piece arranged by Roger Emerson and performed as a tribute to the late actor Paul Walker in the film “Furious 7.” The full chorus then performed the Adele piece “When We Were Young” arranged by Ed Lojeski.

Senior Aubree Monat presented a video compilation set to music that featured both a baby picture and a senior picture of each graduating senior.

Secondary Principal Jeromiah Bliss – in both his first and last North Tama High School graduation as he will be leaving in July for a job at Clear Lake schools – presented the scholastic awards which included introducing Addie Bradley as the Valedictorian and Rachel Robinson as the Salutatorian.

Following Mr. Hill’s remarks, North Tama Board of Education members Val Bradley, Doug Dvorak, and President Rod Zobel presented the diplomas.

After throwing their caps in the air in customary celebration, the newly-minted North Tama High School Class of 2022 made their way outside to the front lawn to form a reception line.

“Where will you go?” Hill asked the seniors as he rounded out his remarks moments before the diplomas were distributed. “We can’t wait to hear the answers.”

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, May 10, the North Tama Dollars for Scholars board provided music, appetizers, and punch during a reception held ahead of Senior Awards Night where tens of thousands of dollars in local scholarships were presented to members of the graduating class.

During the awards ceremony, Valedictorian Addie Bradley received the Iowa Governor’s Scholar Recognition Award for outstanding academic achievement. Bradley was also honored at the 20th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony on May 1, 2022, at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. The statewide program, sponsored by the Iowa Governor’s Office, Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and its title sponsor the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), honored 419 high school seniors from across Iowa.