Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

60 walk at PHS graduation

Sixty seniors paraded onto the field at Prescott High School, with 60 graduates walking off Friday, May 13.

PHS Principal Carroll Purtle welcomed the audience, and reminded everyone on hand one group is traditionally left out at graduations  grandparents. He said grandparents have a lot to do with graduation and asked for a round of applause for them and their efforts.

It truly takes a village to raise young people, he said.

Caleb McClure was the first of three highest honor graduates to speak on the topic of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

We are here to look back on our past and reflect on memories, he said. Yesterday we were in preschool learning our ABCs and 123s and didnt want to graduate to elementary school.

However, he said, graduate they did and went to Prescott Elementary, where they thought former PES Principal Howard Austin was hard on them, but learned he was really trying to help them. We thought those days would last forever, but moved on to middle school.

The transition to middle school, he said, made them feel like big shots because they were with the big kids. These days, he added, were some of the best of their lives.

From middle school they made the transition to high school and were terrified because of the rumors theyd heard about what happened to freshmen.

We grew closer together and had changes in personality, he said. It seemed this day would never arrive. Now we need to focus on the future. We have our memories to look back upon. We tested each others patience and grew stronger. I wish you all the best.

McClure was followed by Ryan Roberson, who said the seniors made it after a long 13 years. He thanked those who helped them arrive at this point in their lives.

The teachers and administrators, he said, challenged them to open their minds and find new ways to think. Parents taught them to grow and make the right decisions.

We have the chance to make the future as brilliant as we want, Roberson said. Weve learned more than we thought. We learned from each other and have helped each other reach a common goal.

Ben Hale was the final speaker of the night. He said this group of young people entered the world 18 years ago.

This isnt just graduation, its our Independence Day. Fireworks will start as each diploma is a lighted match and we are the fuse, he said. We have been given the gift of life. I challenge all of you to make the most out of it.

Hale said each of the graduates have a dream, and with dreams there are no boundaries, but without dreams, whats the point of living.

As we travel the road of life well be told we wont be successful, but we need to stay focused. All our lives well be told what we do isnt good enough. Well be told No, and well tell them Yes.

If we stay true to our goals there is no limit to what we can accomplish. True achievement is not in our accomplishments but the will to be the best. If we live this way, well all be successful.

The speeches were followed by PHS Counselor Freddie Hamilton announcing the scholarships and awards. The Class of 2005, she said, received awards and scholarships totaling $293,814.