Cortez graduates are cheered for their perseverance

Friday, May 23, 2025 10:53 AM Updated Friday, May. 23, 2025 3:46 PM

More confetti is shot into the air as the students are officially declared to be graduates. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Speakers urge students to “doubt everything,” rely on strength and community through struggles

Graduation is a time to celebrate a great victory, but also struggles faced and obstacles to come, echoed speakers at the Montezuma-Cortez High School commencement ceremony on Thursday.

“Talent may open doors, but hard work will keep them open,” said M-CHS athletic trainer Mitch Taffe, the student-selected graduation speaker. “There will be times when the easy way out seems tempting – but remember, easy roads rarely lead to meaningful destinations.”

Hundreds of family and friends piled into the bleachers at Panther Stadium to watch the graduating seniors receive their diplomas.

The Red Sky Drummers play an opening prelude to the Thursday evening graduation ceremony at Panther Stadium. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Family and friends gathered in the audience shoot confetti into the air when their graduates’ names are read. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

M-CHS Principal Jennifer Boniface served as emcee, and told the gathered crowd that this ceremony was a testament to 12 years of hard work by this class. “Your journey has not always been easy, but you have persevered and achieved this significant milestone,” she said.

The class entered high school during the first full school year of the COVID pandemic.

The warm evening event opened with music by the Red Sky Drummers, a “Pomp and Circumstance” processional performed by the M-CHS Symphonic Winds, a presentation of colors by the VFW Post 5231 Color Guard, the national anthem sung by the M-CHS Choir, and a blessing given by Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Councilwoman Tawnie Knight.

Conrad Jacket, Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council secretary, then addressed the crowd. He urged students to always be patient, no matter the difficulties, and always remember their home and community in Cortez.

“This land right here, the mountain, the mesa, this whole area, the farmlands, everything,” he said. “This is ours, all right here. So never ever forget that.”

Taffe also advised perseverance in his speech.

“You are not defined by the mistakes you make,” he said. “You are defined by how you rise after them.”

Salutatorian Luna Moore looks to the future as she recalls all the lessons she and her classmates learned during their high school years, often unbeknownst to themselves at the time. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Valedictorian Leopold Morey tells his classmates to never stop doubting or questioning. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Salutatorian Luna Moore recalled how many times she and her classmates had said “I can’t wait” over the past four years, wishing for a summer break or weekend to come – and yet how quickly those years now seemed to have passed. She and her classmates now had a chance to really live a life that matters, she said, even if they might have a fear of “messing up.”

“We have learned so much from our experiences,” she said.

Valedictorian Leopold Morey thought of high school as a time in which they learned “how to learn” and were given tools to help them in the future.

“Sure, in 10 years you might not remember how to dissect a squid, but you’ll understand a doctor’s diagnosis better than if you hadn’t,” Morey said. “You might not read any more Shakespeare, but you’ll understand a movie’s theme better than if you hadn’t. You might not remember Illinois v. Gates, but you’ll understand elections better than if you hadn’t.”

He told his classmates to embrace their doubts, arguing that doubt pushed students to question the powers that be and stand up for what is right.

Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Councilwoman Tawnie Knight gives an opening blessing for the commencement. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

M-CHS athletic trainer Mitch Taffe was selected by students to be their graduation speaker. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

“Use your knowledge, sharpen your minds, ask questions, doubt everything, and have faith in your abilities,” Morey said. “And use your voice to make the world a better place.”

Teachers Shelley Curtis and Sonja Copeland read the names of the graduates aloud as they received their diplomas, a gentle breeze playing with speakers’ hair and the tassels on graduates’ brightly adorned caps. Names were met by loved ones’ cheers and shots of confetti sprayed into the air, and one graduate even managed a cartwheel down the stage off-ramp. The students then lined the edge of the track, lifted their tassels from right to left, and tossed caps into the air for photos from their adoring fans.

In his speech, Taffe advised students that life is meant to be shared with others.

“Relationships – real, meaningful ones – are the heart of a well-lived life,” he said. “Family, friends, mentors, and colleagues: these are the people who will lift you up, hold you accountable, and stand beside you through victories and losses.”

The Red Sky Drummers play an opening prelude to the Thursday evening graduation ceremony at Panther Stadium. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

The VFW Post 5231 Color Guard stands at attention as Montezuma-Cortez High School graduates march into the ceremony. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

The M-CHS Symphonic Winds plays the opening processional. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Graduates and faculty processed in from both sides of the track. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Students look up at family and friends gathered at Panther Stadium before taking their seats on the field. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Graduates march in. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Councilwoman Tawnie Knight gives an opening blessing for the commencement. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Montezuma-Cortez High School Principal Jennifer Boniface served as master of ceremonies for the graduation ceremony. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Councilman Conrad Jacket tells students to never forget their Cortez home. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

M-CHS athletic trainer Mitch Taffe was selected by students to be their graduation speaker. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Valedictorian Leopold Morey tells his classmates to never stop doubting or questioning. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Students adorned their caps in colorful and creative ways. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Graduates cross the stage to receive their diplomas, shaking hands with school board members and other dignitaries. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Graduating senior Tay Wheat receives his diploma from Montezuma-Cortez school board president Sheri Noyes. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Family and friends gathered in the audience shoot confetti into the air when their graduates’ names are read. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

This marked a monumental commencement ceremony for choir teacher Marla Sitton, who is retiring after 30 years of teaching. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)