Lone Peak graduates ‘28 incredible people’; longtime teacher bids farewell 

By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR 

On Sunday, May 25, Lone Peak High School’s 2025 graduating class donned Big Horn blue for the final time as students. The group is tied for second-largest in school history with 2023.  

Dr. Dustin Shipman, Big Sky School District superintendent, began the 2025 Lone Peak Commencement Ceremony by expressing pride in each student’s accomplishments.  

“As soon-to-be alumni from Lone Peak High School, I encourage you to seek out challenges that will push you beyond your comfort zones, take you to places you never thought possible, and allow you to live life on your own terms,” Shipman said.  

In the opening speech, class president Madelyn Browne highlighted each classmate’s individual contribution.  

For classmate Alex Redmon, Browne celebrated his “unapologetic and authentic” resistance to conformity. For Shea Reynolds, she said, “you’ve been fixing the same car for months—but you haven’t given up. You’re committed to improving. You’re persistent and patient.”  

In all, she reflected on “28 lessons from 28 incredible people,” underscoring the closeness of the graduating class.  

“In a bigger school, I couldn’t have had the time and the place to tell you about my classmates and who they are today—even worse, I may not have even known many of them,” Browne said. “The size of our school teaches tolerance, tolerance teaches us acceptance and ultimately, all kinds of other lessons that we may not have learned otherwise… Congratulations to the Class of 2025, I will never stop noticing all of you.”  

Principal Dr. Marlo Mitchem commented that it was “an inclusive and thoughtful speech” from an “inclusive and thoughtful” student in Browne.  

Valedictorian Anna Masonic reflected on her sophomore year arrival to Big Sky, and how the immersive multi-day expedition trip previewed the unique learning experience. She added a few classmate shoutouts of her own, envisioning some of their hopeful futures. 

Masonic also thanked Principal Mitchem, “for the love, care and devotion you bring to our school as you guide us toward success.” 

The school welcomed keynote speaker Yarrow Kraner, founder and CEO of HATCH and co-founder of the Montana Festival with an impactful background in public speaking, community network building and consulting.  

Kraner said he was honored to give the keynote address because he loves the Big Sky community. “Over the last 20 years or so, I’ve had the opportunity to see so many young, amazing human beings from Big Sky blossom and grow into creators and catalysts for good in the world,” he said.  

He recalled his own high school graduation in Helena, when he felt the urge to “get out of Montana” and see what’s on the other side of the horizon. He noted that students may need to leave Montana, however, to realize how “amazing” it is.  

He urged students to “say ‘thank you’ often” and use gratitude as a superpower, and gave a suggestion as seek guidance to navigate adult life.  

“Ask the universe,” Kraner said. “Seriously, put the big questions out there, and then listen. The universe will give you feedback—it might not always be what you want to hear.” 

Students pick Jeremy Harder for farewell address 

For the final speech, retiring teacher Jeremy Harder offered words written from the heart in the same way he taught Big Sky students for 25 years.  

“He will retire, sadly, this June. Sadly for me, and all of us here,” Mitchem said while introducing the final speaker, selected by graduates to give the faculty address. “What an incredible resource, inspiration and person he has been for our community.”  

Browne also included a shoutout to Harder in her class president speech.  

“From Mr. Harder, our honorary senior, I learned what care looks like. Not just polite kindness, but deep, intentional, life-changing care that stems from being a good listener. This is the kind of care I hope to mirror in my future as a teacher and an overall human,” Browne said. 

Harder began his speech casually. “Everyone said what I was gonna say, so, I think we’re good.” 

Hearing laughter, he continued, diving into a thoroughly prepared speech with poetic rhythm and timing.  

“Twenty-five years of chalk dust and whiteboard markers—lunch count done, attendance taken, late night gradin’ papers, early mornings, lesson plans—and here we sit together with caps and tassels gleamin’, tears wellin’, and pride pourin’ through this building,” Harder began.  

He insisted he’s no wiser—only older—and he reached this point by being wrong and learning constantly.  

“I didn’t earn my wisdom. I labored for it. I fell into it. I shoveled out of it. I tripped over it. And I crawled out from the depths of depression to fetch it. And that’s OK… Never stop learning, the second you think you know everything is the moment you start forgetting who you are.”  

Harder cautioned students to stay away from harmful things like substances, sugar and “sugar-coated people,” and especially screens as he emphasized the importance of looking at sunlight before screen light every morning. 

“Put your phone down. Seriously. Put it down,” Harder said.  

He urged the graduates to practice constant, everyday kindness. “Nobody’s above you, and certainly, nobody’s beneath you.” 

Harder plans to return to school and complete an addiction counseling program at Montana State University. He told EBS that he’s “really allowing curiosity to lead right now” and “open to a world of possibilities,” a sentiment echoed in his speech. 

“I love you, and I love you, and I love you, and all of you. May you be healthy, may you be happy, may you be safe, and may you be at peace,” Harder concluded.  

Once the hundreds of attendees finished their standing ovation, Mitchem said, “Well, I’m glad you’re our final speaker,” after Harder’s soulful parting words left students and families wiping tears from their eyes before receiving their diplomas and tossing their caps. 

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Graduates in the Class of 2025

Photos and future plans courtesy of Big Sky School District.