The 2023 graduating class of Callaway Public Schools turned their tassels and started a new chapter in their lives on Sunday as they received their diplomas and said goodbye to their high school days.

CPS guidance counselor Denise Sughayar described the class as being incredibly mature and poised. She took the class on a campus visit to schools in Lincoln earlier this year and she said it was more like traveling with a group of young adults and not high school students.

“That was until they started playing their music on the way home,” she joked.

Class salutatorian Taylor Ross and valedictorian Abby Stallbaumer both addressed the crowd. Ross shared a handful of inside jokes between members of the class. Stallbaumer thanked those that have helped their class during the past 12 years, as well as her family for supporting her busy high school career.

The Callaway Schools choir sang “I Am Still Your Dreamer” by Pink Zebra, under the direction of Mr. Beavers.

The class colors are teal, silver, and black and the class flower is yellow ranunculus. The class motto is “The best time for going is when the going scares you.”

The Callaway High School Class of 2023, their future plans, and scholarships received, are as follows: Jocelyn Bailey: UNK, health sciences to become an occupational therapist; UNK Health Science Explorer Schp; UNK Loper Achievement Schp; Nebraska State Bank Hometown Schp; Myeloma Lodge 328 Schp; Hazel M. Empfiled Schp; Hazel R. Walker Schp; Callaway Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of NE Schp Chad Dishman: CCC Hastings, information technology; Hazel M. Empfield Schp; Excelsior Schp Chase Dishman: CCC Hastings, cybersecurity; Hazel M. Empfield Schp Nademma Haidle: Cedarville University, Ohio, English; Judith Kay Blakeman Schp-CC Foundation; TeamMates New Generation Schp; Cedarville University President's Scholar Award; Cedarville University President's Ministry Impact Schp; Cedarville University Dr. Deforia Lane Diversity Schp; Dorothy Redfern Schp; Hazel R. Walker Schp; Kelley Jo Gavin Memorial Schp; Melodie Dunbar Award (Callaway Community Schp); Believers and Achievers Award; Ted & Sadie Griffith Schp; Tony & Bev Pitkin Schp Grant Hrupek: University of Montana, wildlife biology; Custer County Patriots for Freedom Schp; BB Elks Lodge Most Valuable Student Schp; Robert Gavin Memorial Schp; University of Montana Tuition Schp; Hawkins Family Schp; Larry Nelson Memorial Schp; TeamMates Michele Northrup Memorial Schp Lauryn Johnson: UNK; CC Foundation Board of Directors Schp; TeamMates New Generation Schp; NE One Box Stithem Memorial Schp; Dorothy Redfern Schp; Hazel M. Empfield Schp; St. Boniface Catholic Church Schp; Bike Ride Across Nebraska Schp; Callaway Education Association Schp; Bryson Booker Post 59 Schp (Alternate); Haven & Virginia Smith Schp (Alternate); Ted & Sadie Griffith Schp (Alternate) Jasmyn-Rae Ledet: MPCC, nursing; Hazel M. Empfield Schp; Jeannie M. Melham Medical Center Auxiliary Schp; Callaway District Hospital Sep; Excelsior Schp Matthew Mannon: career in production agriculture; Hueftle Farms Schp; Jean Sullivan Rawson & Richard Rawson Schp; Full Circle Irrigation Schp; Hazel M. Empfield Schp Ava Pandorf: UNK; Sandhills Outreach Charity (SORC) Schp; Broken Bow Elks Lodge 1688 Most Valuable Student Schp; Hazel M. Empfield Schp; Haven & Virginia Smith Schp; St. Boniface Catholic Church Schp; Bryson Booker Post 59 Schp; Bike Ride Across Nebraska Schp (Alternate) Kaden Paulsen: CCC Hastings, agribusiness; Custer County Corn Growers Schp; CCC Nebraska Careers Schp; Callaway United Methodist Church Schp; Hazel R. Walker Memorial Schp; Hazel M. Empfield Memorial Schp Taylor Ross: UNL, agricultural economics; Arrow Seed 4-Year Schp; TeamMates New Generation Schp; Husker Traditions Schp; Elks DOES Service Schp; Elks National Foundation Legacy Award; Sandhills Outreach Charity (SORC) Schp; Hoegemeyer Cares Schp; Custer County 4-H Activities Schp; Col Wayne E. Thurman Schp; Hazel Empfield Schp; Gateway Farm Expo Schp; Custer County Masonic Lodge Schp; Hazel R. Walker Memorial Schp; Callaway National Honor Society Blood Drive Schp; Callaway CEA Schp (Alternate); Bryson Booker Post 59 Schp Abby Stallbaumer: Oklahoma State, agricultural communications & agribusiness; OSU Out-of-State Achievement Schp; Galen & Juanita Holsinger President's Distinguished Schp; Ferguson College of Ag Schp; Ann Fox Memorial Schp; Broken Bow Elks Lodge 1688 Most Valuable Student Schp; Custer County Farm Bureau Schp; Gateway Farm Expo Schp; Custer County 4-H Achievement Schp; Callaway Education Association Schp; Bike Ride Across Nebraska Schp; St. Boniface Catholic Church Schp; Custer County American Legion Auxiliary Educational Grant