Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Senior's Farewell By Dr. Suess

Preparations and rehearsals for commencement ceremonies ended Friday morning with the Class of 1996 ready to take their first steps into the world as graduates.

As 7 p.m. rolled around that evening, the 74 young men and women entered Prescott High School's stadium at the south end zone, walking the track and took their seats at midfield.

The stands, which had been filled earlier in the year with cheering fans of Curley Wolf football and the Prescott thinclads, were packed to capacity with parents, siblings, relatives and friends -- all gathered to participate in this momentous occasion.

Clear skies and a gentle breeze, which tempered the heat and humidity, welcomed the senior class and their guests as the PHS band played the traditional graduation tune, "Pomp and Circumstance," under the direction of Jonathan Kelley.

Once the entire class had taken their seats and the crows received the commencement welcome from PHS Principal Tommy Morrison, Tyronda Miller gave the invocation.

Lori Burke welcomed everyone to the proceedings, saying the students were embarking on a special milestone in their lives, though it took them a lot of hard work and effort to get to this night.

Those students graduating with the highest honors based their class speeches on "Oh, the Places You'll Go," by Dr. Suess. The book was read by Aaron Burke.

This theme, he said, was selected because of its relationship to graduating and the future.

"We have waited for this day to arrive," Sarah Huett said. "It is here.

"Which direction each of us goes after tonight is up to us. We must decide which road to take."

Some roads are well traveled, but lead nowhere, she said, while others are filled with potholes and are the path to success.

"We are sure to succeed if we are true to our goals," Huett said. "The road we travel is ours alone, we must map it wisely."

Huett was followed by Laura Parks, who said the graduates will experience good and bad times in their lives.

She said everyone has had times when they felt so secure nothing could go wrong. But there were other times when it seemed nothing would ever go right again.

"Slumps are hard to get out of," she said. "We must apply ourselves and keep a level head."

Jessica Walls was next, with her message based on the courage the class will have to have in taking its next step, not as a class of senior high school students, but as individual members of society.

"We are responsible for the rest of our lives," she said. "We can't wait for others to make decisions for us, if we do, our chances will never come.

"We have control over our futures and must live our lives. We have worked for this day for 13 years and now must account for our own actions.

"We need to respect ourselves, take charge, live up to our dreams and fulfill our goals."

Kelly Whitmarsh was the final speaker of the evening.

"Life is a great balancing act," she said. "There will be good and bad times. We must learn to depend on ourselves; this is the roots of success.

"We will succeed. The future waits for us."

With the speeches done, students were recognized for their academic achievements during their high school careers. These awards were presented by Morrison and members of the school board.

Once the honors were distributed, it was time for the diplomas to be passed out. This was done by Donald Crane, PHS counselor, Jim Franks, board president, and the members of the school board.

Seventy-four diplomas later, Don Johnston, PHS superintendent, gave the confirmation address.

"By the power vested in me," he told the class, "I now pronounce you graduates of PHS."

In giving his parting thoughts, though, Johnston reminded the graduates that while this is the highlight of their academic career so far, they have many decisions facing them yet.

"Wherever you go, whatever you plan to do," he said, "you have the tools of education to work with. Keep it sharp.

"You all have a purpose and a place to fill if you work for it. You have more diverse opportunity now than ever. Take the time and effort to make your dreams come true.

"Count each day as a gift not to be wasted; learn to keep a smile on your face and to laugh at yourself. You must learn to rule over your emotions."

Much to the delight of the moms in the audience, Johnston reminded the young men and women to love, respect, honor and call their parents, especially their moms.

"Whatever you choose to do, ask yourselves: Am I paying too high a price for the successes of failures I'm working for?

"Make changes if you aren't happy, but be persistent."

With the speeches finally over and the band performing the alma mater, members of the Class of '96 flung their mortarboards into the air with screams of joy.