By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Saturday’s Hillsboro High School commencement took a few unexpected turns when a valedictorian lost the copy for his speech and the principal choked up while presenting a scholarship.

Jaxxon Hanschu, one of three valedictorians and the last to speak, abruptly stopped and fumbled with his notes.

He stood quiet, looking, and then said he’d lost his speech. The audience softly chuckled.

Principal Clint Corby stepped forward to assist, and Hanschu started again at the beginning.

When salutatorian Frank Wichert stepped to the microphone, he said he wanted to thank everyone again.

“Especially the valedictorians for giving a sub-par speech,” he quipped.

The audience chuckled again.

Corby gave outgoing superintendent Max Heinrichs recognition for his years with Hillsboro schools.

“Mr. Heinrichs is retiring this year,” Corby said. “He told me whatever I do, don’t do anything at graduation. I feel pretty safe — what can he do?”

Fourth-grade teacher Tena Loewen gave a non-traditional speech, telling the graduates advice from her own students.

“Don’t get so caught up in making a living that you forget to make a life,” was one of the gems of wisdom.

“Hang out with good people,” she continued. “Don’t quit halfway through.”

Corby’s voice broke several times when he presented the Demarious Lives scholarship to class valedictorians.

The scholarship was created as a legacy to class of 2022 member Demarious Cox, son of football coach Demetrius Cox. Demarious died unexpectedly from a health issue at a Colorado church camp in June 2019.

Scholarship recipients are selected based on strong work ethic, strong character, good time management, and faith.

Emersyn Funk, Hanschu, and Malorie Hein, all class valedictorians, received Demarious Lives scholarships.