Cheers erupted as blue graduation caps flew to the sky in Stutler Bowl stadium Wednesday morning during Cherry Creek High School’s commencement ceremony.
As 918 graduates bid farewell to their high school careers and looked forward to their next chapters, they reflected on the legacies they were leaving behind of resilience, growth and respect.
“During our time at Creek, life has thrown many hardships at us that can be brutal and difficult to deal with. But we always seem to rise out of it better than we were before. We are resilient,” said T.J. Hubble, the student body president.
Hubble, whose journey in Cherry Creek Schools began in kindergarten at Homestead Elementary, said Cherry Creek High School pushed him to be someone he never thought he could be.
“This school ignited a fire within me that I never expected,” he said. “It is not the fire that destroys but rather the fire that builds. It is the one that burns within our souls and pushes us not only to work hard and succeed but also to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.”
It is this fire that defines Cherry Creek High School — not the state titles or high test scores, he said.
“Many of us teenagers struggled with mental health more than ever, and even dealt with the global pandemic. But it did not stop us from coming out on top,” he said. “The trauma we endured from suffering and loss did not memorialize our hardships. It reminded us that we were still here to bring our fire into the world around us.”
Resilience is one of the most essential traits that the class of 2023 needs when moving into the next phase of life, Hubble said.
“Cherry Creek High School has allowed us to create this spark and light this fire within us. And now, it’s up to us to bolster our flames,” he said. “Be a source of fuel to ignite sparks of inspirations in others and brighten the world.”
For graduate Dumi Michael Akinrinola, one of the things he appreciated most from his senior year was learning about topics not necessarily in his school textbooks but relevant to everyday life.
“Topics like mental health, school gun violence, systemic racism that we still see today,” he said. “Teachers at Creek have realized the importance of utilizing what we learn in the classroom and helping it apply to who we can become.”
Senior Class President Sophie Willoughby said the most valuable lessons learned at Cherry Creek High School were about life.
“I learned at Creek how to be respectful and inclusive in a large, diverse group of 4,000 students,” she said. “With our kindness, we will strive to build meaningful relationships, foster empathy and compassion, and make a positive impact on the world around us.
“With our courage, we will be unafraid to challenge the status quo and tackle difficult issues, even in the face of resistance.”
In a speech titled, “Middle Ground,” senior Alba Wilson-Axpe said people today live in an era of controversy and polarization, emphasizing the need for respect.
“It comes down to respecting values, cultures and general identity. That’s what allows us to truly co-exist peacefully,” she said.
Regarding mental health, Wilson-Axpe said she was shocked to learn how many students struggle day-to-day and seek services in the nurse’s office. She described the space as safe, judgment-free and “filled with nothing but humility and genuine love for one another.”
“It’s that space the teachers, faculty and staff at Creek have created — genuine connection based on who we are to others as opposed to what we might believe,” she said. “That’s the legacy that we leave as the class of 2023. That’s what our society needs to mirror.”
Cherry Creek High School Principal Ryan Silva advised the graduates to make every effort to find the good that exists in the world and to try new things and push themselves to be uncomfortable.
“The unknown and the uncomfortable is where we learn and grow the most. Plus, it will prepare us for the times when we struggle and fail,” he said. “You might discover new dreams and new plans that were better than what you previously imagined.”
The senior class included 27 National Merit Scholars, four National African American Achievement Scholars, 17 National Hispanic Recognition Scholars, a Boettcher Scholar, a Daniels Fund Scholar and a Columbine Never Forgotten winner, Silva said.
Silva described the graduates as intelligent, kind, hard-working, spirited, proud and “just good people.”
“This senior class has been invested in making Cherry Creek High School a school where all students can feel safe and learn. They have created an accepting environment for all,” he said. “On behalf of the faculty and staff, I want to thank the seniors for a memorable year. We are proud of you.”
