Commencement

Fireworks Cap Off Class Of 2024 Graduation 

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! It was a night to remember. In Union’s first outdoor, night-time commencement, 1,034 seniors celebrated their big milestone, capped off with a big fireworks show at Union Tuttle Stadium on Saturday, May 18.

“Tonight - you close out a chapter of your life only to begin a new one. And today is your opportunity to live forward your dreams and aspirations as you begin to write your own biography,” said Superintendent Dr. Kirt Hartzler, in his final commencement address as superintendent. Hartzler is retiring after 38 years in education and 11 as Union’s superintendent.

“Like you, I am also closing out another chapter in my life by retiring this year.” Hartzler said. (Later, during the ceremony, Hartzler received a standing ovation.)

“Our lives really are made up of a series of chapters. As you begin to embark on the next chapter of your lives, I encourage you to carry with you the lessons learned within school. Embrace curiosity – just as you did in elementary, be resilient just as you did through the stress and storm of middle school, and be willing to adapt to the ever-changing world around you just as you have experienced in high school.”

If you missed the ceremony, you can see the ceremony and see all of the speeches as it was streamed live on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljh3tV9P334

See full text of Superintendent Dr. Kirt Hartzler’s speech.