Routt County high school graduations give encouragement to the futures of 235 grads

235 high school seniors earned diplomas this weekend across four graduation ceremonies in Routt County. 

Yampa Valley High School
Per tradition, the Yampa Valley High School commencement ceremony took place at the Yampa River Botanic Park on Friday, beginning a new journey for the school’s 10 graduating seniors. 

During the commencement, Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue firefighter and paramedic, Marne Smith, gave an address to the students. Graduates Raven McLaughlin and Charlie Tegtmeyer also stepped to the lectern to address their classmates during the ceremony. 

Some of the school’s graduates will be furthering their education at the collegiate level with others interested in learning trades and will enter the workforce. 

School principal Kristyl Boies said students at Yampa Valley High School took advantage of a large number of internships offered by local community partners, got a taste of college by taking classes at Colorado Mountain College and found career opportunities through technical education programs that introduced students to their career path after graduation.

Hayden High School
Hayden School District staff described the Tigers’ Class of 2025 as a distinctive group of individuals who remained closely connected while also charting individual paths. 

The class completed a combined 154 college-level credits through concurrent enrollment and on Friday night, 18 seniors received diplomas during the school’s graduation ceremony in the gymnasium. 

The class’s integration with the broader community of Hayden stood out as a defining trait to the district staff. 

“They challenged everything,” said Katherine George, senior seminar instructor and capstone advisor. “Even if life is hard, and even if you have to work harder than you expected, you should follow your heart, your passions and your dreams, no matter where they lead you.” 

Steamboat Springs High School
With 186 seniors graduating Saturday morning at Gardner Field, the Steamboat Springs High School Class of 2025 includes students who have committed to attend universities across the nation — running from Dartmouth to Stanford. 

Graduates Jack Fisher and Hanna Hale were selected as student speakers at the graduation. Both Fisher and Hale will be attending the University of Colorado Boulder this fall. 

Brian Ripley, head coach of the 2024-25 Sailors ice hockey state championship team, gave the honorary presentation. He discussed the lessons learned from a state championship team and reminded the class to live by the set of values they find most important. 

Principal Jay Hamric took to the lectern as well, addressing the students and reminding them of the mountains that surround the town. 

“Whether they are standing tall, bathing in sunshine and glory, or enshrouded in clouds, rain or snow, we always sense their presence and power,” Hamric said. “Seniors, as you travel the world and go to far off places, I hope you can always find a mountain to look up to and be reminded of the power and loving connection of your Steamboat community.” 

Soroco High School
Soroco High School valedictorians Tim Bedell and Ruby Hill were filled with excitement, anticipation and a hint of nostalgia as they stood in front of the Class of 2025 at the commencement ceremony in the school’s gymnasium. 

Soroco graduated 18 students Saturday morning, 12 of which will be moving on to post-secondary studies at institutions across the country and six opting to enter the workforce with skills they have obtained in high school. 

Delivering the commencement address on Saturday was 1996 graduate Chad Bedell, Tim’s father. Chad spoke about his disappointment of not making the pilot academy, but how it enabled him to find his passion as a rodeo cowboy. 

He told graduates to “persevere through all of the disappointments and setbacks that you will experience, (and to) stay the course and keep your focus on the end goal.”

Editors Note: Steamboat Mountain School will host its commencement ceremony on June 1. The school will see 19 seniors graduate from the Class of 2025.