Kyle Troutman on Why Commencement Is Deeply Personal in Barry County

For around 250 Barry County high school seniors, this month is about more than caps and gowns – it’s about flipping the page to a new life chapter. The comfortable familiarity of school bells, homework, and early mornings is now history. Now, these young men and women stand at the entrance of their futures, holding their breath to discover what’s to come.

Area graduation ceremonies have already started. Cassville and Southwest graduates have come through and walked through the stage. Purdy’s is Saturday, and Wheaton and Exeter next week. Such times can seem routine in the yearly rhythm of May, but to us who see them year in and year out, there’s something thrillingly special – something deeply personal.

Having gone to two-wide high school myself – I was class of 650 at Little Rock Central – I remember the feeling of being led row by row, into the massive Simmons Bank Arena (formerly Verizon Arena), this huge arena holding 18,000 fans. It was long, formal, and, in a way, a blur. I remember none of the valedictorian’s name or words of a single sentence in their speech. What has lingered with me, though, is the sound of my family cheering, my dad’s two-finger whistle echoing off the stadium. And, of course, the hat toss – although as there were so many hats it was the same ones whizzing around, I can only hope I actually did catch mine afterwards.

That was a fun experience, I assure you, but something was lacking. It didn’t have the intimacy, the personality, the soul that I feel every year in Barry County graduations. That’s why they are so special.

Take Southwest’s ceremony, for example. There, graduation is not a one-dimensional ceremony – it’s a multi-dimensional celebration. The older members get to play the stage twice, not once, playing with the band and getting their last few moments of music before venturing out into the world. You even get to listen to a few solos. The slideshow and flower ceremony are generally the neatest part of the night. They are tearful – they laugh, cry, and show an obvious sense of pride. You can feel the euphoria in the atmosphere. It’s genuine and sincere.

And, naturally, what is a local graduation without some humor? All of the Southwest’s graduates played a trick on Principal Rusty Roe – he was a first-year man and convinced him to wear Hawaiian leis, bracelets, and to top it all off, ginormous pink glasses. Cassville kids also pulled the same joke, bringing Principal Tyler Willis a collection of Star Wars collectibles, including lightsabers, in honor of the May 4th holiday – Star Wars Day. I grinned like a kid at that one.

Cassville’s celebration, being outside in the sunshine at Wildcat Stadium, is an event to remember. The weather cooperated this year as well, as opposed to last year when there was a rainstorm and everyone had to bring the entire celebration indoors. Having fun in the sunshine with friends and family made the day complete.

Student speeches this year were highlight moments as well. Salutatorian Elly Ramaeker also contributed some sincerity and some humor, joking about Book Fairs that elicited a chuckle from quite a few of us. Her earthiness and quick wit carried the audience along. Valedictorian Elizabeth Butler, following her mother on the list as a high school graduate, spoke something more sweet. She placed fun-size Snickers bars under each graduate’s seat and used them to symbolize their high school experiences: peanuts for bumps, caramel for sticky, nougat for good, and chocolate to symbolize how it all came together. So thoughtful, so creative, and oh-so-permanent. I’m serious, I wish there were Snickers at my graduation.

There is something extraordinary about these tiny schools. They don’t give you just a diploma – they provide you with connection, heritage, and happiness. The graduates are not faces on a program; they are loved, they are honored, and they are waved off. These graduations aren’t hidden amidst thousands in some huge arena. They’re intimate, and for that reason, they become an enduring part of your life.

Watching these seniors struggle through, you can’t help but be hopeful. Some will stay close to home, using their talent and ability right here in Barry County. Others will venture out, setting out on their own in the world beyond our horizon. Wherever they may go, however, the encouragement and sense of family they’ve established in these halls will push them along.

So, to the Class of 2025 across Barry County: Congratulations. Enjoy the ride you have ahead of you. Be fearless of failure, and don’t get too sidetracked looking for success. Stay humble, stay curious, and most of all, stay kind.

Your story is only just beginning and I can hardly wait to see how it unfolds.

Kyle Troutman has been editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014 and owner/publisher as of 2023. In 2017, he received the William E. James/Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for the daily publications and is a two-time winner of the ISWNE Golden Dozen awards. Call him at 417-847-2610 or [email protected].