PHS celebrates the Class of 2024

Posted June 2, 2024

Plymouth High School held Commencement Exercises for the 189 members of the Class of 2024 on June 2 at Plymouth City Park with hundreds of family and friends in attendance.

The Commencement Band, directed by PHS band director Cody Wisman, performed the processional and recessional. The Senior Choir, directed by Amanda Smith, sang “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield, accompanied by Cresence Ramaeker on cajon drum and Vincent Reysen on guitar.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Claire Nelson, class secretary/treasurer.

Cadence Seymour, president of the PHS National Honor Society, welcomed those gathered. “We all know these past four years have not been easy,” she said. “We were the incoming class that wasn't able to have in-person orientation, and many of our classes were virtual. And yet here we are, celebrating in person side by side.”

Alise Mooney, Student Council president, announced the new inductee to the Plymouth High School Alumni Hall of Fame: Gerry Krebsbach of the Class of 1972. (See separate article.)

PHS Principal Joe Brandl explained the school’s cum laude system and the different color stoles worn by students: orange for cum laude, silver for magna cum laude, and gold for summa cum laude, the highest recognition.

He later congratulated the Class of 2024 and noted that these graduates started at PHS the same year he did. “You now leave Plymouth High School as young adults with the necessary tools to be successful,” he said. “It is now time for the next chapter of your life. Whatever that brings, make all of us – your immediate family, your Plymouth Panther family, and yourself – proud!”

Class vice-president Mylee Nickel was chosen as class exemplar by a panel of adults to represent the class based on stellar academic work, extensive extracurricular involvement, and leadership skills.

Mylee built her remarks around the “Comprehensive” in Plymouth Comprehensive High School. “Plymouth School District has truly given us a comprehensive experience,” she said. “Plymouth Comprehensive High School has prepared us for the future, and given us all a place to feel that we belong with its all-encompassing educational experience and opportunities for social and emotional growth.”

• Friendships: “Our first friendships were molded by the various seating charts and activities from elementary school. … As we grew, fun fairs turned into football games and lock-ins into homecoming. … Throughout all of these experiences, classmates turned into friends.”
• Extracurriculars: “The beautiful thing about having been a student at a comprehensive high school is there has always been something for everyone. It is from these extracurricular activities that many of us found our true passions.”
• Academics: “We have grown to think outside of the box and value our education not just because it makes us smarter, but because knowledge is the key to making change.”
• Community: “Our community involvement has led us to be agents of positive change in ways of not just volunteering but also bringing people together.”
• Future: “Whether you found yourself in a C-section most of the time or the science department, PCHS has prepared you for this.”

“Today we honor our differences, and profess our gratitude that through this comprehensive experience we have made friends and found our passions, while also embracing our community and the future,” she concluded. “Take the experiences, friendships and the treasured knowledge that has come from not just a classroom, but from each other. Be courageous, be kind, be comprehensive, and Go Panthers!”

Superintendent Dan Mella, who is retiring at the end of this school year, said, “You all started this journey together, and are going in different directions, but have Plymouth as a starting place,” he said. “Class of 2024, go bring your brilliance into the world. Go Panthers!”

The class chose PHS science teacher Kevin Butters to give the commencement address. Mr. Butters, also a coach and bus driver, graduated from PHS in 2006. He thought back to his own graduation day and shared what he wished he could have told his 18-year-old self:

• Never close any doors and keep an open mind: “Someone will try to help you along your way or give you advice; let them. Keep every door open, because at some point you might need to walk through it.”
• You will be rewarded for the person who you are: “I won’t lie, I used to get jealous when I saw people doing better than me. ... But I will tell you right now one of the best things I ever did was to flip my mindset to celebrate people and root for others.”
• Believe in yourself, even when no one else does: “Whether it is applying for a job, going for a new promotion, asking someone out, or anything that makes you step out of your comfort zone, believe in yourself and you will succeed.”
• Be happy, have fun, and enjoy life: “Don’t waste time working your life away doing something you hate; work towards doing something you love and don’t stop until you get there.”

Owen Plate, vice-president of the National Honor Society, directed students to shift their tassels. “The shifting of the tassel symbolizes our transition from student to graduate,” he said. “Although it is a simple movement, it signifies a powerful shift in our lives. We are not only closing a major chapter but opening an entirely new one simultaneously.”

Grace Poppe, class president, gave the closing remarks. “Just as we have walked across the stage, we will leave here walking into the next chapter of our lives,” she said. “We will all embark on our own journey, but let us not forget we would not be here today if it weren’t for our teachers, families, and of course, the people sitting next to you.”

Learn more:
• Read a profile of this year’s class exemplar, Mylee Nickel.
• Learn about the 2024 PHS Academic Scholars.
• See a list of scholarships awarded to members of the PHS Class of 2024.
• See a list of PHS grads entering the military and the trades.
• See which Panther athletes will be continuing their sports careers in college.
• Explore the Post-Graduate Success section of our interactive, award-winning District Report Card to learn more about how each Plymouth High School graduate is well-prepared for his or her next step, whether it be college, technical school, the military, or the workforce.

Emma Marie Adema
Cole Harvey Anderson
Dylan Joseph Andrews
Aiden Thomas Argue
Jaren Daniel Baltus
Mitchell Nicholas Barber
Penny Marie Barta
Hailey Rose Batzner
Brooke Brigitte Bein
Nevaya Aravis Bergman
Giulia  Bertolani
Sarah Elizabeth Birenbaum
Thomas Wade Blad
Alivia Lea Blanke
Calvin O'Neal Blomberg
Amber Lyn Boldt
Megan Linsley Bosselman
Allyona Icis Brendel
Trevor Scott Bruckner
Cordel Jedediah Bruggink
Afina Heather Budrecki
Boden Elizebethe Budrecki
Ava Nicole Bulin
Emily  Chen
Keegan David Chevrier
Hailey Mae-Lynn Clark
Carter Nicholas Clemens
Aidan Jacob Cohn
Destiny Ann Colassacco
Aiden Thomas Cudworth
Silas Reagan Dailey
Sydney Anne Demers
Sofia  Denardin Botelho
Owen James Ellinger
Richard Cole Emerson
Helena Mae Erdly
Theresa Karen Fabian
Marley Therese Fintak
Delaney Marie Fischer
Dax Carlisle Fisher
Evelyn Jean Flunker
Austin Michael George Gilbert
Tiffany Rose Girard
Edbart Ulises Gonzalez
Zeynep  Güney
Dontae James Gutierrez
Romeo  Gutierrez
Xavior Jesus Gutierrez
Liam Charles Haase
Max Graysen Halle
Savannah Allyn Halle
Stephanie  Harb
Luke Antonio Hartenstein
Ava Jayne Hendrickson
Jade Jocelyn Henkel
Alexa Jayde Herceg
Sean David Horzen
Vivian Lois Iseler
Jack Palmer Jacquat
Lukas  Jaschniski
Kendall Paul Johnson
Alaina Nicole Jones
Pria Atienza Joseph
Hollee-Olivia Maree Kaiser
Morgan Paige Keller
Annelise Rose Kleiber
Erynn Jean Kletzien
Caden Andrew Kluth
Melina Marie Knowles
Ethan Bryan Kober
Cora JoAnn Kohlman
Ethan Scott Kohlman
Ryan Jeffrey Koll
Kyle Richard Krause
Lillian Elise Krueger
Jordan Matthew Kruse
Joseph William Krusiec
Austin Alexander Kunstman
Jake Ryan Laehn
James Daniel Last
Francisca  Lavin Schiaffino
Parker Brian Lehn
Alysha Ellen Lehrke
Serenity Shylee Mae Lensmire
Morgan M. Leonard
Emmett Haixing Lerwick
Megan Marie Limberg
Zoe Elizabeth Ludington
Grant Harrison Luedtke
Devon Dean Main
Janessa Lynn Malone
Alex Roland Marquardt
Gaven Thomas Marx
Addyson Paige McCoy
Shea Elizabeth McMullen
Edison James Mella
Savannah Rayne Mendenhall
Gabriel Carson Meredith
Jade Lee Rose Meyer
Jenna Jo-Lynn Meyer
Deighton Rori Miller
Stefanie  Moguel
Gracie Ann Montemayor
Alise Catherine Mooney
Julia Sophia Mulder
Alec Gregory Nelson
Claire Helen Nelson
Mylee Marie Nickel
Sawyer Jerome Paape
Pihla Sofia Parviainen
Lauryn Elise Pelnar
Lorenzo Thomas Peterson
Benjamin John Phillips
Danica Anne Picard
Adynn Sovoeun Iem Pierce
Owen Harris Plate
Harper Leigh Ploeckelman
Grace Gwendolyn Poppe
Brady McHenry Portschy
Madalynn Jo Pratt
Jessy Jane Pritzlaff
Kiera Summer Quesinberry
Katelyn Mary Rabe
Preston Ronald Raeder
Cresence Juan Pantzay Ramaeker
Alberto Carlos Ramos
Rylan Timothy James Ramthun
Andrew Richard Rau
Austin Jay Rentmeester
Cooper Lewis Ritchie
Caeli Jane Ritt
Wyatt John Rodgers
Noah Daniel Russell
Emily Marcelline Sabel
Justin James Sabel
Leyton Jerome August Schaefer
Brooklynn Jean Schaub
Travis Matthew Schaub
Zebadiah Albert Schermacher
Olivia Jane Schilling
Kerissa Marie Schleicher
Isabel Marie Schmelter
Jordan Michael Schmitt
Brylee Cole Schuenemann
Cole Thomas Schuerer
Tanner David Schultz
Ana Marie Schwarten
Kathryn Janah Mae Schwartz
Natalie Marie Seifert
Brielle Lilly-Therese Seymour
Cadence Doreen-Marie Seymour
Tyler Hayden Shallue
Aiden Mathew Shank
Gabrel J Sippel
Mariah Rose Smeltzer
Dana Hailey Smith
Danh Christopher Smith
Jenesa Hope Soberg
Logan Patrick Soto
Allison Margaret Steiner
Emma Lynn Steinhardt
John Thomas Steinhardt
Ramona Clementine Sternhagen
Jillian Rose Straub
Celia Rheann Struve
Sophia Catherine Suchocki
Maxim Patrick Tabello
Isaac Lee Tayse
Sofia Angelica Terriquez
Joshua Steven Thiry
Taylor Susan Trakel
Jordan  Trejo
Marco Philip Troka
Mario Javate VanDrie Jr.
Julia Mercedes Varner
Hannah Jordan Velier
Lotta Margot Vissers
Lauren Elizabeth Wagner
Micah Lee Watkins
Emma Leigh Weedman
Jackson John Weinhold
Adam Robert Scott Wiegelman
Sage Christopher Wifler
Alec Thomas Wilderman
Derek William Willfahrt
Chrislande Marie Woelfel
Odem Emmanuel Yean
Tomoyuki  Yoshigahara
Dylan Hunter Youmans

Please note: Inclusion on this list does not indicate graduate status.