JPS 2024 Impact Report - Report - Page 6
FEATURES
Class of
2024
As she gazed at thousands
in the stands and hundreds
of graduates on the football
昀椀eld, 2024 Valedictorian Ella
Chat昀椀eld paused her speech,
grabbed her phone and
snapped two sel昀椀es.
She had just explained that
many people don’t appreciate
their moment until it’s passed
and she wasn’t about to miss
her experience of speaking at
commencement.
Chat昀椀eld, who plans to
attend Davenport University
this fall for soccer and business, said she was honored to
speak for the Class of 2024.
As she re昀氀ected on her four
years at Jenison Senior High
School, she realized her academic honors paled in comparison to the relationships
she made along the way.
“It is always about these
bonds and experiences. Nothing in life is more important
than that,” Chat昀椀eld said.
“…Never forget to invest in
your relationships.”
A few minutes later, Chat昀椀eld
walked down the stage with
a big smile on her face. She
returned to her seat, and celebrated with her friend sitting
next to her, basking in the
moment and the connection.
6
2024 IMPACT REPORT
The 2024 Jenison Commencement was 昀椀lled with a theme
of connection and support
from beginning to end.
Superintendent Dr. Brandon
Graham reminded graduates
to look at the people in the
stands who have supported
and sacri昀椀ced for them so
they could make it to graduation day. He also expressed
gratitude to the parents for
allowing Jenison Public
Schools to make a connection
with their students.
“Thank you for putting your
trust in JPS to help educate
your students,” Graham said.
He encouraged students
to bask in the nostalgia of
their journey, celebrate their
growth, and know they are
always welcome here moving
forward.
“Once a Wildcat, always a
Wildcat,” Graham said.
“We love you guys.”
Ah’ Nyah Dudley, a senior
at Jenison International
Academy, spoke about how
she received so much support
from JPS, which isn’t the case
for every high
school student in
the country.
“Jenison was
an outstanding
choice for a high
school,” she said.
Finally, during
the Senior Tassel Ceremony,
Seniors Bryan
Tower and Sara
Postle recognized
coaches, teachers, parents, and
family members
as important
mentors along the
way.
“It is always
about these
bonds and
experiences.
Nothing in life is
more important
than that.”
“Not a single one of us sitting
here tonight was able to
make it alone,” Postle said.
Congratulations Class of 2024!
- Ella Chat昀椀eld,
2024 Valedictorian
