North Gem graduation

Speaker Julie Holbrook imparted her love and wisdom to the graduating class.

The North Gem Class of 2024 makes up for what it lacks in size with personality and quality. Somewhat uniquely in the area, the region, the state, and even the country, North Gem is a school where students from K-12 are all housed within the same building, and in the case of many of these Cowboys, spend most of their school careers together as a group. As was mentioned several times during the Awards ceremony and Graduation, the seven members of the graduating class are closer than most (although they also made a point to make it clear that they hadn’t dated!).

Journey Gunter, Mayson Jenkins, Heather Langrus, Evan O’Brien, Jack Perry, Alyson Reed, and Samantha Yost all had their time in the spotlight as the graduation week events unfolded.

Wednesday’s Awards ceremony saw them featured among the full school’s worth of students recognized by their teachers and peers for their accomplishments in both sports and academics, with two names dominating the categories, including Valedictorian and Salutatorian—Alyson Reed and Samantha Yost, respectively. The two received an impressive array of awards and scholarships throughout the evening, including Reed’s degree from CSI, which she earned while simultaneously attending High School.

While the two certainly featured in a lot of the accolades given during the night, many of the high school’s students were also honored, most for multiple accomplishments. As a school with a population of 39, almost every student wore several hats throughout the year, whether as part of the drama class, music classes, FFA, art, academic subjects, or athletics. It was rare to see a student only once.

Hayden Corta was recognized for her having been named the Rocky Mountain Conference Player of the Year. While not enrolled at North Gem High School due to graduating as part of a homeschooling program, Corta was a member of the North Gem Girls Basketball team, and earned the honor in its jersey.

In addition to the students and their accomplishments, retiring teachers were also thanked for their years of work and love for the students. Diana Saxton, Julie Holbrook, Candy Porter-Hatch, and Karen Davids were all spoken about, and Candy was on hand to accept the acknowledgement in person.

Superintendent Todd Shumway was also celebrated, as he makes a large move to New Zealand in the upcoming year.

Evan O’Brien and Samantha Yost were named the “Cowboys of the Year” during the ceremony. Corry Hatch was named the All-Conference Coach of the Year for his amazing work with a very short-handed football team that demanded a lot from every player. Joy Nelson received the Teacher of the Year honor. Rick Hatch was named the “Student Choice Faculty member,” and gave the parting words to this year’s Award ceremony. Retiring teacher Julie Holbrook tearfully bid farewell to this year’s class at the close of graduation, after which the students stayed to mingle with friends, family, and well-wishers, taking in the last moments of what seems in every case to have been a fun and fulfilling one.

A list of Senior Scholarships and awards accompanies this article.

AWARDS

Distinguished Honors
(Semester GPA above 3.95)

Alyson Reed (4.46)

Samantha Yost (4.23)

Shirley Cook (4.10)

Kaly Foster (4.10)

Rusten Hatch (4.00)

Ryver Hayden (4.00)

Mercedez Mabey. (3.96)

Katelyn Whiting (3.96)

Parker Hill (4.34)

Gracie Josephsen (4.00)

Mariah O’Brien (3.95)

High Honors (GPA 3.70-3.94)

Hyrum Barnes (3.73)

Sage Daniels (3.79)

Hayden Ward (3.82)

Alex Curtis (3.88)

Indyana Hatch (3.73)

Honors (GPA 3.30-3.69)

Helber Langrus (3.63)

Sadie Daniels (3.40)

Jack Curtis (3.68)

Shalyn Thompson (3.63)

Myken Rindlisbaker (3.52)

William Wakley (3.67)

Kaylin Jenkins (3.47)

Academic Scholar of the Year:

Feshman: Mariah O’Brien

Sophomore: Parker Hill

Juniors: Kally Foster and Katelyn Whiting

Seniors: Aly Reed and Sam Yost

GRADUATION

Graduating Seniors:

Journey Gunter, Mayson Jenkins (Class President), Helber Langrus (Class Secretary), Evan O’Brien (Class Representative), Jack Perry (Class Vice President), Alyson Reed, Samantha Yost

Scholarships:

Alyson Reed (Valedictorian):

United States Senate Youth
Program ($10,000)

ISU Freshman Four Year Scholarship ($25,000)

Idaho LAUNCH Scholarship ($8,000)

Idaho Opportunity Scholarship ($14,000)

ISU Alumni Scholarship ($1,000)

North Gem Education Foundation Scholarship ($200)

Idaho School Board Association ($500)

Boise State University Presidential Scholarship ($36,000)

Segal Education Award ($1,800)

Samantha Yost (Salutatorian):