Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

52 Graduate From GHS Friday

Once again the home side of Gus Brown Stadium was packed.

However, Friday night had no football game scheduled. Instead, the stands were filled with family and friends gathered to see the class of 1998 graduate, and begin their journey into adulthood.

Midfield was adorned with purple and gold chairs, along with a dais for the speakers, while the band was seated off to the right of the podium, ready for its final performance of the year.

At 7 p.m. on this warm, muggy evening, the students began their walk between the goalposts to their seats, ready to participate in their final event at Gurdon High School.

Following the processional, national anthem, invocation and presentation and acceptance of flowers, Rusty Freeman gave the salutatorian speech.

Basing the speech on memories and experience, Freeman said graduation is a turning point in the lives of those graduating, but they should never forget the past.

Some things, he said, should never be forgotten old boyfriends and girlfriends, ball games and the prom.

But what made the experience of school different for each and every student, he continued, was wonderful friends and loving parents.

"Memories of high school will remain with us long after graduation," he told those gathered. "The senior year is the most special because those graduating must now make decisions that will affect the rest of our lives

"It's been a busy year and we will benefit from our experiences here at Gurdon High School, where we've been shown care and patience.

It's our responsibility," he concluded, "to make use of our past to make the future the best it can be."

Andy Taylor, the class valedictorian, spoke on letting go. The present, he said, separates the past and future, while only lasting a second, but is something we live in at all times.

The present is the foundation used to build the future, Taylor said. But those graduating must use the knowledge and experience they have as they march forward with their lives.

"School gave us knowledge we wouldn't otherwise have received," he said, "but we can't stop working now. This diploma is not a ticket for us to stop working, but to continue."

Experience is the second part of the formula for success, he said. Those graduating experienced plays, proms, banquets and ball games, as well as learning about computer functions, tests and other classes. "We were taught to interact with others," he said.

In entering the real world, Taylor continued, all need to remember their values, respect in particular, as the third part of the foundation.

"We need to make the class of '98 known for it; use our manners. We must begin building and taking the initiative; go above and beyond what's ask of us," he said.

"None of us have ever received a diploma before, but we accepted the challenge and got our diplomas. We accepted the challenge of high school and now we must accept the challenge of the future. There's nothing we can't do with the present. This diploma is a lever, we can use it to move the world."

Marc Crawley followed with the topic of new horizons.

He compared these horizons with different clouds and their meanings, saying all contain silver linings and challenges.

Gray hazy clouds are the difficulty those graduating will face in their lives, leading them to the goals they want to achieve.

The silver clouds are these goals, he continued, but the challenge to get there must be faced with unwavering faith.

"As bad as times will get," he said, "they will always get better."

The gold of the sun is a symbol of hope and the clouds of the future. "We must take advice from our friends and family, using it to make good decisions."

He closed using the words of Winston Churchill, urging the class of '98 to "Never, never, never give up."

Once Crawley was finished, Adrianne Porcelli presented the senior class's give to Gurdon High School. The class of '98 gave a 600 watt sound system to be used for functions and basketball games in the new gymnasium.

The final student speech, one of thanks, was given by Marcus Wright, who said the students had heard and read many stories during their time as students.

They learned of plots and character in these stories, while as graduates they will learn the lessons of life.

Curiosity, he said, will lead to the answers they seek.

While students, Wright continued, they had the support of the teachers, parents and friends. All encouraging them to hang in there and not give up.

There was always someone to talk to and they learned it is possible to function on four hours of sleep.

"As we go to the future," he said, "we go with the foundation of the people who gave us helping hands and guidance. As we begin to write our own story, we need to make our lives extraordinary and when we get to the end of the road, let us say we have lived well."

Then came the moment all were waiting for the awarding of the diplomas. A total of 52 young men and women stepped up on the podium, taking center stage to receive their diplomas from GHS and begin their new lives as graduates.

Once all had been awarded a diploma and they had marched from the field, few tossed their mortarboards into the air in celebration.

Most, instead, sought out friends, family and teachers important to them for hugs of congratulations, while tears of sadness and joy streamed down many cheeks.