By Beacon Staff
One chair sat empty among the 2021 Notre Dame graduates Sunday afternoon (May 30). In it was the photograph of a young boy respectfully propped up on the seat.
The boy, Garrett Brockway, would have graduated with the rest of his classmates Sunday if an accident hadn’t claimed his life in 2013. Brockway was only 10-years-old at the time.
Rev. Marty Goetz approached the chair during the graduation ceremony, laying down an honorary degree that would have been given to Garrett. With tears, the class of 2021 listened as Goetz paid tribute to the unfailing confidence and enthusiasm of their missing friend.
The class of 32, some of who had been together since kindergarten, accepted their diplomas inside Notre Dame’s Father Minett Gymnasium. All of them had their eyes on the future.
According to principal Bruce Maupin, it’s likely to be a bright one. He proudly announced the class had earned more than $3 million in scholarship money.
“You should be proud of yourselves,” Maupin said.
Zachary Rashid, who graduated from Notre Dame in 2017, delivered the commencement address. He told the students of his mental health struggles since entering Yale and how he has been able to overcome them.
“Don’t let anyone else tell you what you should be,” he said, relating advice he received from a close friend.
Many of the graduates had already placed their focus on the future, even before the ceremony commenced. Raigan Munson, 18, will be joining the US Air Force on her way to college. She can’t wait to get started.
“We’ve worn these caps and gowns like three times, so it honestly feels like we graduated already,” she said with a laugh.
Kalle Orth, 18, started her future early. She already has a job as a CNA (certified nursing assistant).
“I get to travel around Iowa doing my job,” she said.
Karli Artman, 17, is headed to St. Louis Community College to play basketball and start working on a degree in child psychology. She’s closing another chapter in her life, and it was a darn good one.
“Lots of good memories,” she said.
Photos by William Smith
