Pete's Pride
Record Number of Pirates Graduate June 1Wednesday, June 06, 2012 By Larry Breen
At the Extraco Events Center June 1, the highest number of Modocs in school history (150) walked across the stage to receive diplomas from the school board members to the cheers of family and friends, following the pre-program music and processional by organist Carl Shamburger, who has worked the last few ceremonies. As usual, the students and faculty/staff filed in, followed by principal Sam Sexton's introduction of senior class president Daniela Sanchez for her welcome and reminder of the solemnity of the occasion before Student Council president Lucero Aguilar led the pledges. After Faith Gibson's stirring rendition of the national anthem, Sexton introduced the attending school board and administration before having the faculty stand; Kaitlin Anderson next gave the salutatory address, followed by valedictorian Anita Rodriguez’s speech, both congratulating the Class of 2012 for its accomplishments. Next up, Sexton introduced the Top Ten Percent members on the platform (Anderson, Stephani Brown, Jatavia Douglas, Malik Hampton, Monica Kiss, Damonte-Ramonte McCullough, Priscilla Ojeda, Sagar Patel, Josh Portwood, Bri’Tany Robinson-Brown, Rodriguez, Ruth Rusu, Cynthia Sanchez, Elizabeth Tovar, and Brittany Ware), acknowledged the class's scholarships (noted specifically in the program and announced at Awards Night), and presented the group to Superintendent Dr. Sharon Shields for her certification. The Board of Trustees alternated places in awarding the diplomas to the usual cheers of attendees as Justin Cox and art teacher Joey Drew took individual photographs (see separate article for ordering information), and Sexton gave a few brief remarks before the school song and recessional by Shamburger, and the customary students' filing out past the row of teachers for hugs, handshakes, and more than a few tears. Lastly, it was group-hug time in the hallways and on the sidewalks for hundreds of private photos, balloons, flowers, countless congrats, and whatever everyone had energy left for. The class flower was the tulip and class color blue, and its motto said it all--"One, two, and through!" Modoc Nation salutes the Class of 2012 for its accomplishments and as always challenges the graduates to go forward and make La Vega even prouder of you in your academic and vocational endeavors. Keep in touch and come back to say hi once in a while! Also take note of the program’s quotation by George William Curtis, “There’s no thrill in easy sailing when the skies are clear and blue; there’s no joy in merely doing things which anyone can do. But there is some satisfaction that is mighty sweet to take when you reach a destination that you never thought you’d make.” Advisor's note: All the photos Joey Drew and I took are free; just contact us through the paper or at the school and provide an e-mail address to send them to. Also don’t forget to buy your yearbook for $30 by mid-June at the high school room 214 (799-4951); the price will be $35 when the books arrive in late summer. |