Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Over 80 Graduate From Prescott High School May 19

"Now It's Our Turn" was the theme of the speeches by the graduating class at Prescott High School Friday, May 19.

Prescott's ten seniors graduating with highest honors gave the speech under cloudy skies to a filled stadium of parents, other family members and well-wishers.

Senior Matt Brannan started the speech telling his classmates and those in attendance the theme came from a speech delivered by Donna Shalala.

New freedoms and new phases in the seniors' lives are in store for the graduating class, according to Brannan.

He said that the questions he and his classmates asked now would be more important than the questions asked before.

Brannan quoted President Herbert Hoover in closing his phase of the speech by reminding his fellow students "No one can predict the future."

Misty Brown followed Brannan to the podium and encouraged the senior class to be decisive, keep positive attitudes and be aware of important opportunities.

After Brown, Rita Fountain encouraged the senior class to always listen before reacting.

Using one's words carefully and trying to edify others was encouraged.

She urged her fellow students to ask themselves, "How would I feel?" before acting in life.

Carlos Franklin followed Fountain and asked his fellow classmates, "Why should we listen to others now since we are adults and are graduating?"

Franklin answered his own question by encouraging the class of 2000 of Prescott High to listen to the voice of experience.

Senior Traci Graham followed Franklin and encouraged her fellow classmates to avoid procrastination. She told the student body that procrastination could keep them from doing what needs to be done.

Graham was followed by Jack Nelson, who encouraged his classmates to use patience in their lives. He encouraged them to let all their patience build into endurance.

Nelson told the student body that some make better use of patience than others do.

Kristen Teague followed Nelson and encouraged the graduating class to "Remember the Curley Wolves."

Teague reminded her classmates that high school was the common bond among them all. She encouraged them to share, dare and care, reminding the group that apathy can kill.

Teague was followed by Sunshine Kelley, who encouraged classmates of 2000 to "look into their hearts."

She reminded graduating class that honesty with others is highly respected and is an honorable virtue.

Kelley was followed by Sarah Hicks. Hicks encourage her classmates to be optimistic.

Hicks told the group to try to find the good in everyone and to keep a good attitude in life.

She encouraged her classmates to choose the positive side of life once they graduate.

Andrea Cossey closed the speeches by telling her classmates to accept the remarks which had been made and it would help them become better people.

Cossey encouraged the students to be more than good at their work, but to especially be exemplary people and to be diplomatic.

She told the group that words and deeds will define citizenry in the 21st century.

Over 80 students graduated from Prescott this year.

According to Prescott High School counselor Paul Cossey, over $600,000 in scholarship and grant monies had been accepted by the graduating class.