Werthen Gass, Emma Gilham Are 2019 THS Valedictorian, Salutatorian

Valedictorian Werthen Gass encouraged her Trenton High School classmates to “face their fears” as they go out into the world during commencement exercises on Sunday at the Ketcham Community Center.
Miss Gass, along with salutatorian Emma Gilham, were the guest speakers for the ceremony, which saw 77 seniors receive their diplomas as part of the THS Class of 2019. The top 10 academic students, along with students who earned recognition based on academics, ACT test scores and attendance, were also honored during the event. The Top 10 (from third to 10th) included Ainsley Tolson, Taylor Richman, Saedee Jackson, Latorrie Johnson, Karissa Brock, Sidney Lynch, Melea Farmer and Dylan Harris. Others earning academic recognition were Adrianna Overton, Nick Shields, Matt Sibbit and Jadan Whitney.
Miss Gass told her classmates that while she is “terrified of every new experience” that she encounters, she has also learned that “fun and success lies on the other side of fear.” She gave several examples of class members who might not have achieved the accolades they had during their high school years had they not taken a risk.
“What a boring four years it would have been for all of us if no one ever took a risk,” she said.
She said that as graduation approaches, it was natural for her classmates to be fearful, noting that they have been cautioned by their parents about the things they may encounter in their lives.
“But today, we are free to make every decision for ourselves…and it is scary,” she said. “It’s no wonder that teen anxiety is at an all-time high.”
She recognized several individuals whom she credited with having helped to “push” her to the next chapter in her life and asked her classmates to take time and thank the individuals in their lives who have done the same for them.
“Identify those who have pushed you and show them your gratitude,” she said. “Then hold tightly to those who will guide you through the next phases of your life.”
Miss Gass concluded by reminding her classmates that fear is a natural part of life and that in order to be a success, it must be faced head on.
“If you remember nothing today, please know that you can’t enjoy success without facing fear,” she said. “The world is scary and success is waiting. Go out there and face your fear, take a risk and find success.”
Miss Gilham said that while she has a feeling of uncertainty about the future, there is also a feeling of excitement and reminded her classmates they are not alone as they begin their journey into the next phases of their lives.
“Throughout high school we have connected with each other in inconceivable and irreversible ways, whether it be in shared tears, laughter or, simply put, time,” she said. “We’ve lamented over everything from lost loves to lost papers; late nights typing to least favorite meals. We’ve laughed with our classmates…”
Miss Gilham noted that as a class, they have spent an incredible amount of time together and it is that time together in which relationships have been built, those that are “unlike any we will find again.” Those relationships, she said, will be long remembered.
“So as we look to the future, in all kinds of stages of emotion, let’s show gratitude in the support that we’ve received from our friends, the lessons we have learned from our enemies and the time we have shared together,” she said. “I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors…no matter how many times we threatened to drop out, we made it. The immortal words of Ron Swanson sums up my feelings on high school in saying, ‘I regret nothing. The end’.”
Superintendent Dan Wiebers and Board President Doug Franklin presented diplomas to the graduating seniors. They were then congratulated by custodian Graham McVay and science teacher Charlie Bacon, who were chosen for that honor by the class.
Gold Rush and the THS Marching Band also provided music throughout the ceremony, which ended with the singing of the “Alma Mater.”
Members of the THS Class of 2019 included Aaron Anthony Babcock, Hunter William Beasley, Brooke Ashley Berry, Hunter Dale Beverlin, Joshua Scott Boman, Mercedes Marie Borders, Karissa Suzanne Brock, Justin Ray Brown, Anakin Isaac Burkeybile, Teresa Kayleen Burkholder, Hannah KaLynne Burnfin, Laura Marie Carlson Ashley Ann Casper, Izek Michael Levi Cockriel-Barnes, Tristan Reese Coleman, Jarvis Logan Enad Collis, Riley Dee Coon, Hailey Nicole Coursen, Salem Leigh Croy, Noah Dayne Elbert;
Dawson Wayne Elliott, Jeremy Scott Elliott, Hannah Elizabeth Ellis, Brian Christopher Ewing, Melea Anne Farmer, Adreanna Nichole Gard, Werthen Grace Gass, Trinity Dawnell Gaunt, Kohner Leavi Geyer, Emma Sage Gilham, Hannah Lynne Glass, Hayden O’Riley Griffin, Dylan Wade Harris, Isaac Mason Harris, Paige Elizabeth Hoffman, Mitchel Creed Arickson Houghton, Mykah Loryn Hurley, Dominic Andrew Jackson, Saedee Renee Jackson;
Latorrie Elise Johnson, Sarah Nicole Jordan, Johnathan Todd Klawuhn, Rodney David Lawrence, Lawrence Anthony Link, Sidney Renee Lynch, Jayden Drew McClure, Max Dale McNabb, Logan Lee Medlin, Hannah Elizabeth Mehrhoff, E’Lizabeth NiChea Neal, Weston Laine Otto, Arianna Dawn Overton, Payton James Preston, Karli Dawn Provorse, Carson Elliott Radcliff, Kaylee Ann Ramsey, River Carol Storme Reiter, Taylor Lynn Richman, Nicole Aileen Rodriguez;
Austin Harley Romesburg, Cole Nathaniel Rorebeck, Zane Wolf Rottman, Joseph Wayne Rowans, Caroline Renee Schlarb, Jonathan Robert Schlared, Lindsey Renae Schlared, Brylan Riley Shaw, Nicholas Nolan Shields, Matthew Ryan Sibbit, McKaila June Siebuhr, Carly Dawn Taul, Ainsley Kayte Tolson, Hunter Alexander Trask, Elizabeth Ann Tredway, Nickolas Thayne Velazquez, Nickolas Wayne Wattenbarger and Jadan Dean Whitney.