Jackson Turner

Over our long careers at Graland, we have been together every step of the way. We entered kindergarten when we were just little kids riding our horses at the rodeo and had no clue what we were doing. Then, we moved into first grade. I'll never forget showing off my karate with Matthew at the talent show and the amazing pool days we had on the Preisser Field. Then in second grade when we got to dress up for the biography tea and started our serious games of football at recess leading up to the end of the year championship. Or sitting in a circle while we played sneaky statues with Mrs. Cheadle. Moving up to the third grade when we climbed Chief Mountain. I remember the happiness of getting into the Newberry Hall of Fame. I also remember the competitive games of capture the critters at P.E. Then into fourth grade when we did the bike hike and got to design our shirts. I know we were Mrs. Williams's favorite class. We started to take leadership roles with our buddies in kindergarten and the ones in the UN. Don’t forget about Young Ameritowne with Oliver Wichern as our mayor. We wanted to grow up so bad, but I know we all miss quiet time now. In fifth grade, we started to bond as we went on our first overnight trip to La Foret. Our first public speaking event when we got knighted. And the crush towers with Mr. Dodge's science class. Our singing voices were so good we got to sing the national anthem at the Rockies game. And we were such an amazing grade, Mr. Masters came to sixth grade with us. This is the year we started the action-packed filled bus rides for sports and the year we went to Mesa Verde. Even though it was rainy for the entire first week, it was still a very fun and memorable time with friends. The messages that we left on the outhouse will leave our legacy. In seventh grade, we went to our first awkward dance, just standing in the corner while the music played. But even then, we were making memories. There was the ice cream trips for sports at the end of the year. And I still remember the look on everyone's faces when we dissected sheep brains with Mr. Collins. And although our year got cut off because of COVID, and we missed the DC Trip, we were still able to enjoy the Boulder Rock-Climbing Trip. And finally, eighth grade. All the early mornings for geometry people. The stressful journey of applying for high schools. All the tests we took, 61 this year to be exact. It wasn’t normal, but I think our teachers would agree we found stuff to do. Whether it was snowball/mud fights at recess or just sitting in our circles at lunch, this was the year we got to know each other the most. My favorite memory is all the trick shots we did at Topgolf. I will also always remember the outfits that Mr. Chavez would wear on Spirit Days. We couldn’t do it this year, but all the water fights at the end-of-year carnivals were pretty fun too. But now we stand here getting ready to graduate in just a day. I know this transition to high school can be scary, but I'm positive we are prepared. I want to say thank you to all of our teachers, coaches, and faculty from our Graland careers. We wouldn’t be where we are without them. We have all worked so hard and so long this year. It's time we finally got to celebrate. And although our Graland journey is coming to an end, we will start new ones in high school. While some of us are staying here and some are starting exciting journeys in other cities and even countries, the one thing that will always stick with us is the memories we have made with our classmates and teachers at Graland. Congratulations to the Class of 2021.