It may have only been for 17 students, but their loved ones packed Holy Trinity Catholic’s gymnasium to celebrate the graduating Class of 2024 with much enthusiasm on Sunday afternoon.
The commencement ceremony began with the processional, followed by the invocation from Father Dan Dorau and a performance of the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Holy Trinity senior class presidents Mary Kate Bendlage and Daltin Boeding then made the presentation of the senior gift, which was money to help the school purchase charging stations for the junior/senior high school students next year.
“Today we have come together to celebrate the long journey we had together and to mark the end of an unforgettable chapter of our lives,” Bendlage said during her address. “Our time at Holy Trinity has been a remarkable journey. We are leaving behind so many who have shared in our lives, but we have been given a remarkable foundation to build upon.
“Hopefully the Class of 2024 have left their mark on this school with new achievements, traditions, and memories.”
Following the presentation of the senior gift was a performance by an acoustic duo of the classic Green Day ballad “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).”
Next up was the graduation address, provided by Karen Becker, who shared fond memories of the Class of 2024 over the years (along with a few inside jokes), and commended their accomplishments and wished them well in the future.
“Congratulations from this old gal, who is extremely proud of the Class of 2024,” Becker said. “Keep learning. Keep traveling. Keep asking ‘Why?’ And live the life that you want to build for yourself. Do good, be good. It’s that’s simple.”
Holy Trinity principal Craig Huebner was next to speak.
“This momentous occasion marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance,” Huebner said. “Your journey to this point has been filled with challenges, triumphs, countless memorable experiences. Today we honor not only your academic accomplishments, but also your growth as individuals and your contributions to our community.
“As you stand on the threshold to a new chapter to your lives, I encourage you to embrace the opportunities to that lie ahead with courage and determination. The world is full of possibilities, and I have no doubt that each of you possess the skills, knowledge, and resilience to succeed in whatever path you choose to pursue...
“Congratulations graduates. May your futures be bright, your aspirations limitless, and your hearts filled with hope, faith, and joy.”
With those words, the 17 members of Holy Trinity’s Class of 2024 then walked across the stage to be handed their diplomas and receive their congratulatory handshakes and hugs.
Before the end of the ceremony, attendees heard from Natalie Randolph, Holy Trinity’s valedictorian, who shared memories from her time at Holy Trinity and of her classmates.
“We’ve laughed, cried, and grown together,” Randolph said. “As we step into the unknown, remember that life isn’t always about finding the right answers, it’s about asking the right questions. Congratulations Class of 2024, we made it.”
Afterwards, Holy Trinity’s Class of 2024 made their way outside to take one last class photo together as they stood in front of the flagpole and threw their graduation caps into the air in celebration, followed by the seemingly endless number of photos taken with family and friends.
The Daily Democrat spoke to two graduates who reported that the State of Iowa’s Cy-Hawk rivalry will not be ending any time soon.
Maddox Rung is planning on attending the University of Iowa and planning to major in psychology. But as excited as Rung is for the future, he said leaving Holy Trinity was a bittersweet feeling
“I’m a little sad,” he said, “But I had so many good memories here that I can always think of and always remember.”
Jenna Hellman was another happy graduate.
“It feels pretty good. It’s great to be finally done,” she said.
Hellman is planning on attending Iowa State to study environmental engineering and hopes to work on biodegradable products and chemical outputs.
“The last four years have been great and it’s been a great experience,” she said of her time at Holy Trinity. “I think once August hits and I’m in college, (being done with high school will) hit me a lot harder than what it has now. But (graduating) has been very exciting.”
 - Shopify South Africa)