Dayton High grads told 'you'll move mountains'

Valedictorian Tyler Logan gives his address to his fellow graduates encompassing a brief review of their time during their four years in high school and quoting Dr. Seuss in encouraging friends about moving their mountains. (Photo: Jessica Garcia/Nevada Appeal)

By Jessica Garcia

Friday, June 4, 2021

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Dr. Seuss’ wisdom still holds up today, and Dayton High School valedictorian Tyler Logan referred to it in his address to his fellow graduates Thursday night.
“ ‘So be sure when you step, Step with great care and great tact. And remember that life’s a great balancing act, and will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed. (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.) Kid, you’ll move mountains,’ ” Logan read.
Talking to a full stadium of proud family members and friends on a warm spring evening, the Class of 2021 Dust Devils heard from Principal Ryan Cross and several of their teachers as a number of students were honored for earning their diplomas and other academic achievements.
Shanna Krueger, social studies and Spanish teacher, reminded students about the importance of using words in their lives, encouraging them to “create their future.”
“As I thought about words in the last year, one of the words that stuck with me the most is the word ‘hope,’ ” she said. “We all have hope for our friends, our families and, of course, ourselves. As a country, we hope for the best. As individuals, we are in charge of our own lives.”
Kelly Frantz, physical education and health teacher, looking back 23 years ago on the same football field, said all she wanted to do was to leave Dayton to go to college anywhere else and said she left town. She then ended up at the University of Nevada, Reno 12 years later, only three years ago, and earned her bachelor’s degree.
“I became a teacher because I am doing what I love, so message one: Do what you love,” she said. “Life gets in the way, you guys. Life will take you. You will follow the money, you will follow the jobs. You will get distracted. Don’t.”
Frantz urged the graduates to “pinky swear” to check themselves in a few years and ask if they’re pursuing and doing what they’re passionate about.
“And if you’re not, change it,” she said. “It’s so easy to say I’m not happy, I’m going to change it. But it’s so hard to do it. So check yourself. You just pinky swore to me.”
Maren Santos, physical education and health teacher, remarked how occasionally teachers can’t wait for graduation and said occasionally a class stands out.
“We hope you learned a few things in class,” she said. “But more than anything, we hope we made you feel loved and important because you are.”
After their remarks, along with Aysia Snelling, math teacher, Kruger, Frantz and Santos led the class in a song, with the students responding in motion before graduates went up to receive their diplomas.

Dayton High School teachers Shanna Krueger, Kelly Frantz, Aysia Snelling, Maren Santos lead the Class of 2021 graduates in a song during Thursday night’s ceremony. (Photo: Jessica Garcia/Nevada Appeal)

Dayton High grads told 'you'll move mountains'

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