| JUDITH
SCOTT - JSCOTT@SIERRASTAR.COM
Andrzej
Zabicki takes his final walk as a YHS senior.
Brooke Petersen waves to cheering family and friends.
Ashley Newton shows her photogenic ability.
Four YHS seniors, Marc Tempesta, Ashley Newton, Christopher Gordon, and
Sam Rowlett, sing the Beatles’ tune “Black Bird.”
As
people filled every available seat, the anticipation was apparent, not
only by family and friends, but by the graduating class. Preparatory touches
took place prior to the commencement. For instance, cameras posed for
the perfect shot; the band tuned instruments and played snippets of the
songs to be played; and faculty and board members filled seats near the
front of the stage.
At promptly 7:30 p.m., the procession of teachers led the way onto the
YHS football field. Then followed the paired students. As each found his
or her seat, the ceremony began.
The Chamber Singers congregated near the front of the stage and opened
the event by singing the national anthem. Emily Peck stood on the stage,
and signed the song as the other students sang.
Steve Raupp, YHS principal, welcomed students, staff and faculty to the
evening’s event. He then introduced the first speakers Michael Graves
and Nicole Koczanowicz. Michael voiced to the audience “that it takes
a village to raise a child,” and following that statement he thanked the
staff and faculty for doing just that. Michael and Nicole concluded their
speech in unison by stating, “We are the class of 2003, and we are ready.”
The proceeding speech was given by Brook Bullock and Grant Fonda. These
two students brought with them two sets of tennis shoes, and proped them
proudly on the top of the podium. Their speech was centered around those
shoes and what it felt like to walk onto the YHS campus for the first
time, and how it feels now that they are leaving.
The Valedictorian Speakers, Elizabeth Luca and Elizabeth Tucker, recited
a poem that included the YHS faculty. Of course, the roar of laughter
made it clear that each anecdote was understood by all students in attendance.
Toward the conclusion of the speech, Beth Luca assured her peers, “High
school is the diving step toward our future.”
After the speeches, a group of four seniors (Ashley Newton, Christopher
Gordon, Sam Rowlett, and Marc Tempesta) sang a popular Beatles tune, “Black
Bird.” Students cheered as the group shared their music with their classmates.
The final speeches of the evening were given by the ASB President Amanda
Wells, and ASB Vice President Kelsey Snider. Following the speech, the
presentation of diplomas began.
Each row stood, and proceeded to the stage where faculty and staff waited
to greet, hug and award them with a document that they waited so anxiously
to receive. After all the diplomas were given out, each student returned
to their seat. Mr. Raupp then presented the class of 2003 to family and
friends in attendance. Cameras flashed; students cheers; tears were shed;
and hugs were shared all around.
As the graduating seniors say goodbye to an era of personal and emotional
growth, they say hello to adulthood and all the magic it has to offer.
To the Yosemite High School graduates, good luck and may life be kind
to you all.
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