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Dayton Seniors Celebrate Graduation

DAYTON – Dayton High School sent off twenty-three young adults onto the next step in their lives on Saturday. The Class of 2016 graduated in front of countless loved ones as they officially completed their careers as Dayton Bulldogs.

The Class of 2016 is made up of decorated students, electrifying athletes, and now high school graduates. They have completed the curriculum required of all high school students in Washington, and now have the diplomas, caps, and gowns to show for it.

Salutatorian Angie Dedloff was the first student to give a speech to her class and their loved ones. Starting off her address with the opening lines of Oh, The Places You Will Go by Dr. Seuss, she spoke of what her class had been through and wished all of her classmates happiness.

"You deserve to be genuinely happy. A happiness that isn't based on anyone else," said Dedloff early in her speech. She ended by saying, "Class of 2016 I wish each of you joyous lives full of happiness and most importantly no regrets. I love you all." The end of her speaking time was answered with applause from those attending.

Valedictorian Marisa Klein-Chavez followed with her speech. Klein talked about how she was afraid of not making friends with her class, as she joined at the beginning of high school instead of being a part of the group from elementary on like the majority of her classmates.

"As I stood by the sophomore pole waiting for my first day of school to start I was nervous, I was scared, and I was even more worried that I wouldn't make any friends. The majority of my classmates have had the opportunity to grow up together and will now graduate with the same individuals they graduated kindergarten with," Klein said.

However, Klein also spoke of how these worries would wind up to be unfounded. "I genuinely wish I would have had longer to laugh and love. I am leaving here today not nervous, scared or worried, but with many friends," continued Klein. She also gave thanks to the family, friends, and Dayton community members that helped them along the way.

Before she completed her discourse, Klein took a moment to wish former classmate Cody Snider a happy graduation. "Before I go, I would like to wish Cody Snider the happiest graduation, for he'll always be a much loved member of our class, may he rest in peace." Snider was a former member of the Class of 2016 who died in 2013.

Scholarship winners were then announced and many graduates received many monetary awards to help further their educational endeavors. The awards were met each time with roaring rounds of applause. (See full scholarship list on Page 12.)

Klein, Dedloff, and Kensy Buroker were all bestowed as honor graduates near the end of the ceremony. The proud graduating class, led by Class President Amber Johnson, then slid their tassels and threw their caps in the air, bringing an end to their time in Dayton High School.

From us at The Times; congratulations to the Dayton High School Class of 2016.

 

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