By Mack Drake

“You wish you were a Viking.”

It was a familiar phrase that could often be heard echoing on the field and on the court this year at Vanden High School sporting events.

It was also how valedictorian Rachel Carr began her graduation speech Friday night in front of a packed crowd at George A. Gammon Field, all of whom were on hand to watch the Class of 2017 — estimated to be around 345 students — stride across the stage and accept a well-deserved high school diploma.

“You wish you were a Viking,” Carr began. “We’ve said this over and over in sports competitions over the years. We have Viking pride. No matter where we go in life, there will always be a part of us that is a Viking. We will take that identity with us.”

Source: Viking Pride: Vanden High School salutes a unique and impressive Class of 2017