Columbus East Class of 2023
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Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Samantha Helwig, left, Brennan Cowan talk before the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic Graduates and their guests make their way to the Orange Pit for the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic Graduates and their guests make their way to the Orange Pit for the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic Addyson Mathis, left, and Kloe Thompson wear their caps and gowns as they look for their classmate before the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic Mitchell Williams looks over the program for the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic Owen Hebert is dressed in his cap and gown as he waits to take part in the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic Walker Savage, from left, Aaron Cook and Sean Zieles get ready to take part in the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic Members of Columbus East’s class of 2023 gather for their commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Quarin Bailey, left, helps classmate Chesney Carr with her cap before the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Maggie Weisner wears a cap with a plane on a runway and the message Cleared for Takeoff before the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023. Weisner will be going to flight school after graduation.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Jack Fipp, left, gets help with his cap from Columbus East Principal Mark Newell before the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023. The was Newell’s last graduation as the principal of the school. He has been principal at East since 2008.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Ukrainian exchange student Ivan Bondar poses for a photo before the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
People gather to watch the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
People gather to watch the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
People gather to watch the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
A gown and flower are laid over a chair in memory of Lily Streeval during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023. Streeval was struck and killed by a motorist while boarding her school bus in August 2021 as a junior at Columbus East.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus East Principal Mark Newell walks between rows of chairs during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Members of Columbus East’s class of 2023 enter the gymnasium for their commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
People smile and record video as members of Columbus East’s class of 2023 enter the gymnasium for their commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Members of Columbus East’s class of 2023 stand at their seats during their commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Members of Columbus East’s class of 2023 stand at their seats during their commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Amy, left, and Skyla Beesley hold signs supporting Columbus East 2023 graduate Baila Beesley during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Members of Columbus East’s class of 2023 stand at their seats during their commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Members of Columbus East’s class of 2023 enter the gymnasium for their commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Excited supporters smile and record video as members of Columbus East’s class of 2023 enter the gymnasium for their commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
People gather to watch the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
The Orange Pit is packed Columbus East’s class of 2023 commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus East salutatorian Anna Liimatta gives a speech titled “Surpassing the Stumbles” to her classmates during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus East valedictorian Caitlyn Smith gives a speech title “Moving Beyond the Expected” to her classmates during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
A member of Columbus East’s class of 2023 decorated their cap with a quote from the TV show The Office by character Michael Scott during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus East Principal Mark Newell addresses Columbus East’s class of 2023 during their commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation Superintendent Jim Roberts addresses Columbus East’s class of 2023 during their commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus East valedictorian Caitlyn Smith shakes hands with Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation Superintendent Jim Roberts after receiving her diploma during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus East salutatorian Anna Liimatta shakes hands with Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation Superintendent Jim Roberts after receiving her diploma during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus East class of 2023 class president Allison Craig shakes hands with Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation Superintendent Jim Roberts after receiving her diploma during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Dalton Abner walks off stage after receiving his diploma during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Izike Addis walks off stage after receiving his diploma during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Heidi Banaschak shakes hands with Columbus East Principal Mark Newell after receiving her diploma during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Maximino Barcenas shakes hands with Columbus East Principal Mark Newell after receiving his diploma during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Claire Brooks smiles as she shakes hands with Columbus East Principal Mark Newell after receiving her diploma during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus East Principal Mark Newell hands out diplomas during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Members of Columbus East’s class of 2023 line up to receive their diplomas during their commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Guests take photos and record video as members of Columbus East’s class of 2023 receive their diplomas during their commencement ceremony at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Jimmie James waves to his granddaughter Indira James after she received her diploma during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
A Columbus East grad is wearing a decorated cap showing they will attend Butler University during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Hallie Randle uses a mallet to ring a bell during the commencement ceremony for Columbus East’s class of 2023 at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 27, 2023.