The Class of 2022: The Greatest Generation

North Marion High School students’ endurance in a pandemic era was the theme of a Friday night graduation ceremony at Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin.

“You … have a huge piece of my heart for working hard and being able to make it to tonight,” High School Principal De Ann Jenness told the 139 members of the Class of 2022.

Joseph Martinez, one of five valedictorians giving speeches, said the next step won’t be easy, as grads are faced with a world amid a pandemic, a war in Ukraine, supply shortages, and climate change.

“To leave all I’ve known and head into this crazy world is pretty intimidating,” Martinez said.

In fact, Superintendent Ginger Redlinger compared today’s students with the Greatest Generation, born from 1901 to 1927 and living in a time of war, pandemic, and economic instability: “They came out of the hardship of the Great Depression with the ability to know how to survive, to make do, and to solve problems. … Make the future better. We believe in you.”

Martinez saw hope too, pointing out that this moment is not only an end but a beginning. There’s much to look forward to for grads embracing a new life, for everyone looking to start anew.

—Jillian Daley