Lawrence Virtual School grads told to ‘be the best you that you can be’

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The Lawrence Virtual School Class of 2025 heard a lot of advice from speakers during their graduation ceremony Saturday, including some pearls of wisdom from their classmate’s time working at a nursing home.

Graduate Emma Zimmerman shared advice she’d heard from older people she’d met while working at a nursing home in her town, including that happiness is all there is to life; when you love someone, don’t let them go; tell yourself you look dazzling; “wear dark lipstick — you’ll catch all the boys”; and don’t be a snitch.

“I’ve heard lots of other advice and stories from the residents, but I think I’d be breaking the ‘Don’t be a snitch’ rule if I shared any of those,” she said, drawing laughter from those in attendance.

Zimmerman told her classmates that the day felt like a goodbye — “a goodbye to the little girl I was, and an awkward hello to someone not quite an adult, but no longer a kid. But now is a time for excitement and not for mourning.”

August Rudisell/Lawrence Times Emma Zimmerman

She encouraged the others to hold on throughout the changes and unknown, to fight for their passions and to look for happiness — “If you do, I’m sure you will find it,” she said.

School board Vice President GR Gordon-Ross joked that “For reasons known only to her, board President Kelly Jones asked me to speak today in front of an open mic — but in a sign of pure, unadulterated leadership, Principal (Zach) Harwood gave me two minutes.” 

August Rudisell/Lawrence Times School board Vice President GR Gordon-Ross (left) speaks. Seated are LVS Principal Zach Harwood, Superintendent Jeanice Swift and school board members Bob Byers and Anne Costello.

Gordon-Ross told students not to listen to what someone else wants them to be.

“Be the best you that you can be. Take time to figure out who that person is,” he said. “Use the skills that we’ve taught you, use the knowledge that we’ve given you, figure out who you are meant to be, go be that person and make the world better.”

Acacia Pracht, class valedictorian, told her classmates that there’s a lot going on in the world, and a lot of them are scared. But she said she knows that when things are scary, people help each other, and knowing you’re not alone is a powerful realization.

August Rudisell/Lawrence Times Acacia Pracht

“Our lives are not written for us — we get to create our stories. Today, we are opening this journal to a new page,” Pracht said. “What will your next words be?”

Christina Haswood, Diné, a former state representative from Lawrence, said the day was a celebration of the graduates’ achievements as each of them had navigated the unique landscape of virtual education, demonstrating their resilience, self-discipline, and an unwavering commitment to their goals.

August Rudisell/Lawrence Times Christina Haswood

The keynote speaker told the nearly 100 Griffins the story of her own struggles to complete her bachelor’s degree. She wanted to quit, but her parents — firmly but lovingly — pushed her to keep trying. She said an online accelerated class got her over the finish line. She ultimately graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine with a master’s degree in public health.

“What that journey taught me, though, was that I am persistent, I am resilient, and I earned my spot in places of power and change, and I hope that you feel that same sense of pride, too,” Haswood said.

She told the graduates to embrace change and step outside their comfort zones, because it’s necessary for growth.

“Dream big, work hard and never stop learning. But please do me this favor and find what brings you joy,” Haswood said.

Free State High School journalism students livestreamed the ceremony. The video is available at this link.

LVS is the Lawrence school district’s online school for students in grades K-12. Students can reside anywhere in Kansas. Harwood will hold info sessions about LVS via Webex at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20 and Tuesday, June 3. Meetings will be available at this link.

August Rudisell/Lawrence Times Lawrence Virtual School Principal Zach Harwood told graduates that “We all know that virtual learning is not the easy way out. It’s a new way forward — one that gives you skills that are outside the norm.”
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times Diplomas await LVS graduates of the Class of 2025.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times Christina Haswood
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
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Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.

More coverage: Graduation 2025

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