News photo by Steve Schulwitz Posen High School graduate Mallory Donajkowski addresses her classmates during the school’s graduation ceremony on Friday.

POSEN — The graduating class of Posen High School put a cap on their time in high school during a ceremony on Friday night.

The 23 graduates were all smiles as they walked single file to their seats at the beginning of the event and were met with hoots, hollers, and whistles from family and friends who showed how proud of them they were.

Being from a small town, many of the students have shared classrooms since they were young children and made many memories along the way.

Now, they are preparing to take the next step into adulthood and a career.

Posen Consolidated School District Superintendent Michelle Wesner addressed the seniors and told them the entire school system is proud of their scholastic and athletic achievements and were also privileged to watch them grow and mature over the years and witness them celebrate high points and fight through low points.

“You are like my children, and you have been with me since I came here when they were in the fourth grade,” she said. “Some days I love them and some days not so much. I have told them they are my favorites and there have been times I told them they disappoint me. They are a great group of kids.”

Salutatorian Mallory Donajkowski addressed her fellow graduates and thanked them for sharing their high school journey together and wished them success in their future endeavors. She shared memories from the last four years and said everyone should cherish the times the class shared.

“We shared some great times, and we have so many smart, fun, quirky, hardworking classmates and each of us took our own paths to get here,” she said. “Some of us took a detour to two, but, alas, we made it to the finish line. As we say goodbye to our high school and farewell to each other, please always remember to be yourself and dance like no one is watching.”

After Donajkowski wrapped up her speech, co- valedictorians Ella Szatkowski and Evan Themel each delivered a short message to the graduating class, each thanking their families and the teachers and staff that played a role in their graduation.

Each student received his or her diploma and were met with a standing ovation as they exited the ceremony.