Van-Far HIgh School valedictorian Erin Childs used a comment from a children’s author to describe how people process experiences and should value living in the moment.

“Dr. Seuss once said sometimes we never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory,” Childs said Sunday at Van-Far’s high school graduation at the high school’s gym.

Childs and more than 40 other seniors made memories at the school’s 69th commencement, which featured speeches from the class of 2025’s other valedictorian, Abigail Shelton, and salutatorian, Ayla Kampeter. The ceremony also included recognition of George W. Carver award winners, College Prep certificate students and A+ scholarship students. The school had 45 graduates.

Van-Far R-1 School District Superintendent Natalie Gibson said she has watched many of the graduates from young children to the young adults they are today. She talked about the many different roles she has had in their lives, such as principal, superintendent and Sunday school teacher. 

She told the graduates they will be missed, and she said their education has happened in classrooms as well as in other places, such as barns, ballfields and kitchen tables. They have learned a bunch of values along the way, such as helping without being asked and respecting elders.

“And to believe that hard work still matters,” Gibson said about the seniors. “You’ve weathered more than your fair share - pandemics, pressures, losses and changes. And yet, here you are.”

She told the graduates she appreciated being a part of their lives.

“And no matter how far you go, know these things: You’ll always have a home here, and I’ll always be cheering for you,” she said