By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Sunday’s rain didn’t keep those with warm wishes for members of Peabody High School’s class of 2023 from showing up to see graduates walk the stage for their diplomas and have their scholarships announced.

Six of the class’ 16 graduates were National Honor Society members. Alexis Davis was valedictorian, and Luka Spencer was salutatorian.

The high school band played “When the Stars Begin to Fall,” and the choir sang “Remember When.”

Principal Ryan Bartel gave a brief speech urging graduates to reflect on who had helped them get where they were.

He asked them to picture the future in five to 10 years, what skills they would improve on, and who would help them achieve those goals.

In her valedictory speech, Davis told her classmates not to forget teachers who made the biggest impact on their high school days.

When she named one who made the biggest impact on her, it was music and band director Laura Leitnaker.

When Davis left the stage after her speech, she walked to Leitnaker and they gripped each other in a long hug.