By Kacie Svoboda
On Sunday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the Mount Rushmore Amphitheatre located at the monument, the Hill City High School (HCHS) class of 2015 will gather together with family and teachers to celebrate their years at school and the beginning of the next stage of their lives.
The commencement program will kick off with the “Star-Spangled Banner” performed by Katie Jacobs, Micah Pennel and Michal Wiederhold and the invocation by Pennel. The 2015 program will involve three honored speakers — Salutatorian Caiden Merritt, Valedictorian Allison Henderson and U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem.
The HCHS band will perform most of the musical selections for the program, including standbys like “Pomp and Circumstance” and more unusual pieces such as “Storm Warning.”
Regents Scholars will be introduced by guidance counselor Susan Satter and the HCHS choir will sing the selections “I Shall Not Live in Vain” and “Closer to the Flame.” The 2015 class motto is “Stay Golden.”
After diplomas are awarded, the program will conclude with Jacobs giving the benediction and the class song “Pictures of You” by The Last Goodnight.