Prescott Grads Embrace the Future

PRESCOTT – A delayed start due to a sound-system glitch did little to dampen the high spirits of the seniors and audience in attendance at Prescott's Class of 2015 graduation ceremony in the Prescott gymnasium on Thursday evening, June 11.

But then, it may be hard to bring down the spirits of a class whose motto is, "We dream of a better tomorrow where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives."

Ten pairs of seniors walked to the traditional strains of 'Pomp and Circumstance' before taking the stage to accept their high school diplomas. The soon-to-be

grads were all smiles as they passed this first milestone into adulthood, surrounded by friends and family.

Following the flag salute, led by Blanca Quiroz, and a welcome from Superintendent Brett Cox, Alesandra Diaz took the podium to give the salutatory address. Diaz has a GPA of 3.258, is a member of the National Honor Society and on the Honor Roll. She is ASB Class Treasurer, a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and attended the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Seminar. Diaz plans to attend Washington State University.

Diaz spoke to the importance of friendship and likened the graduating class to a family that sometimes gets along, and sometimes doesn't, but always works things out. "We are always there for each other," she said as she urged her classmates to carry that support of one another into the future.

Valedictorian Selena Duran was next to address the crowd. Duran graduates with a GPA of 3.489 and is also a member of the National Honor Society and on the Honor Roll. Duran is ASB Class Secretary and is a member of SADD. Duran plans to attend Eastern Washington University in Cheney next year. Duran encouraged fellow students who she referred to as future nurses, architects, cops; brilliant, strong and loving individuals. She urged her classmates to never give up and to always give 110 percent. "You are writing a new book and you are the author. Make it one to remember," she said.

Following the speeches, Oscar Villalvazo and Miriam Hernandez took the stage for the Recognition of Parents. Each parent's name was read as their graduate honored them with a rose and a hug.

The commencement speaker was soccer coach and math teacher Mark Grimm. Grimm named the graduates one-by-one, sharing memories, encouragement and good-natured ribbing. Susan DeRuwe and Freda Price presented the scholarship awards.

The third annual Jack Smiley Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000 – awarded to the senior who has shown the most involvement in Prescott High School – went to Alesandra Diaz. Diaz' name will join the names of Claudia Soriano and Emily Wilson on the wooden memorial plaque that hangs in the Prescott gymnasium.

School board chairman Karen Tonne presented the diplomas and Principal Dr. Jodi Thew presented the graduates. The graduates left the gymnasium to the strains of "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa. A reception followed in the multi-purpose room.

Class of 2015 graduating seniors include: Janelle Batalla, Antonio Benito, Jennifer Casro Felix, German Contreras Chavez, Alesandra Diaz, Selena Socorro Duran, Jonathan Escalante, Samantha Jo Fedderson, Sergio Everardo Gonzalez Bojorquez, Miriam del Rocio Hernandez, Jessica Jasmin Iglesias, Lissette Lucia Mendoza Contreras, Jose Alberto Paniagua, Michael Thomas Peltier, Blanca Lisbeth Quiroz, Carlos Alberto Sandoval, Evelyn Terriquez, Oscar Villalvazo Lopez, Edwin Antonio Virgen Ramirez, and Paul Zamora Gonzalez.