Dear soon-to-be Wessington Springs High School graduates,
As we continue with graduation week, I have been counting my blessings when it comes to the Class of 2023.
Since purchasing the True Dakotan in 2015, I have had over eight years worth of opportunities to interact with your class through documenting your accomplishments in school, on the field or across the court, and throughout your many activities and acts of service.
I’ve also been fortunate enough to get to know some of you through an internship experience, or serving as a mentor for the high school journalism class. I’m grateful to have had opportunities to get to know your unique personalities while conducting interviews with you about your projects.
I’m also quite thankful to see the culmination of your hard work by serving as a judge for your senior project presentations — one of my favorite activities of the year. In this role, I love getting an in-depth view of your thought processes around the project and the toil it requires to bring it to life. Most of all though, spending the day reviewing your projects helps me realize the breadth of community support you’ve had along your path in the way of mentors, church leaders, teachers, local businesses, parents and other members of your family.
Do you ever wonder why so many have supported you throughout the years? Well of course they want to see you succeed and reach your fullest potential during your time here. But I’ll let you in on a little secret. They do it because it is gratifying. The honest truth is that nothing can quite match the satisfaction felt from sharing your experience to help others. As you learn and grow, I hope you are able to enjoy that feeling by paying it forward and sharing all that you have and will learn with others.
I often marvel at what the students here in the Wessington Springs School District pull off in academics, athletics, art, music and nearly every other activity under the sun. No doubt you are amazing young men and women — but I think the unwavering network of support enjoyed across our communities is a key ingredient in the success of our area youth.
Please bear in mind this network as you cross the threshold into the next chapter of your life’s journey. No matter where you go, that support is readily available to you — and can be tapped into with a simple call, text, email, message or visit!
As graduation nears, despite being so proud of this special class and all of your collective accomplishments and growth, I can’t ignore the bittersweet pangs of heartache of not being able to witness this momentous day in person.
As I’ve already let you know, I’m unable to attend your graduation ceremony Friday. I made a commitment to serve on the officer track of the South Dakota Newspaper Association (SDNA) Board of Directors four years ago, and this Friday, the association’s presidential gavel will be passed to me at the SDNA Annual Convention. Held in Devils Lake, ND this year in conjunction with the North Dakota Newspaper Association’s Annual Convention, the constraints of space and time simply won’t allow for me to be in Wessington Springs and Devils Lake simultaneously.
No need to worry about great coverage of your graduation though — I hired one of the very best newspaper photojournalists in the state, Matt Gade of Rapid City Journal, to cover your big day. His expertise in visual storytelling will provide you with a beautiful record of your graduation from WSHS, which will be published in next week’s True Dakotan.
Finally, I can’t help but to impart a couple of words of wisdom as you begin your next chapter.
During certain points of your journey, you will undoubtedly encounter rocky segments. Lean into not only the network of support I mention above, but remember to rely on and grow in your faith. It will not only allow you to be courageous, but also draw you closer to that wise, divine, inner guidance that will open minds, hearts and doors for you throughout your life.
“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.” — Rumi
Sending my very best wishes to you,
Kristi Hine
Editor/Publisher True Dakotan