On Aug. 25, 2020, Cameron Arzola was one of numerous Montgomery County freshmen who started their first day of high school and dealt with the precautions of the COVID-19 pandemic that closed school five months earlier.

One thousand three hundred and sixty-three days later, he was a Montgomery County High graduate.

Arzola was one of 80 students who received their diploma during the one-hour ceremony on May 19 at the MCHS gymnasium. When he asked what was his best moment in his four years of high school, Arzola thought about it for a few seconds and responded, “It’s right now.”

The ceremony honored all of the accomplishments of the seniors the last four years. In the classroom, a total of 25 students earned Summa Cum Laude honors, five received Magna Cum Laude honors and six picked up Cum Laude honors. In sports, five seniors earned all-state awards.

“The class of 2024 left its mark over the last four years,” said Brian Ernst, who is wrapping up his second year as MCHS principal.

Speeches were made by Jacer Brower, Malia Rodgers and Morgan Koch. Brower, who is planning to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia, came into the ceremony with his three all-state track medals, including the one he earned at the Class 3 state track meet the day before.

Rodgers, who earned all-state honors in track, basketball and cross country during her four years in high school, will attend State Fair Community College to compete in basketball and track. Koch will go to Cottey College in Nevada to play volleyball.

Hannah Toenges, who plans to be a real estate agent, presented the invocation and Presley Schluss, who is headed to Northwest Missouri State University, presented the benediction.

Arzola was a member of the concert choir and received Summa Cum Laude honors. He was one of eight former Immaculate Conception School students who graduated from MCHS.

Arzola said he came up with a plan when he first entered the hallways at MCHS 44 months ago.

“I was going to get the hard classes out of the way first,” said Arzola, who plans to attend Moberly Area Community College next year. “So during my senior year, I wouldn’t be stressing out as much. I think that’s because someone said your senior year is going to be a pain, not because it’s difficult, but it’s going to have a lot of paperwork. So I just wanted to get that done and out of the way.”