Santa Fe High School honors seniors

Santa Fe High School graduates throw their caps in the air at the end of their commencement ceremony Sunday, May 17. (Geoff Rands/Demcrat-News) [Order this photo]

The ceremony began with the traditional processional of "Pomp & Circumstance," followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and then a performance by several graduating seniors of "Fields of Gold."

Superintendent Douglas Wright told the audience that the contest between the salutatorian and valedictorian had been long, and the outcome had not been known until the second day of the senior class trip, before introducing Bridget Boland as salutatorian.

Boland singled out her male classmates, thanking them for always being able to make her laugh.

Santa Fe High School valedictorian Cassie Wright, standing front right, embraces her father, superintendent of schools Douglas Wright, after he presents her with her diploma at the Santa Fe High School Commencement Sunday, May 17. (Geoff Rands/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"We have had so much fun over the last four years of high school," she said, "and though I can't wait to start college, and I'm sure the rest of my class can't, either, we have made so many memories together I want them to continue."

Valedictorian Cassie Wright addressed the crowd next.

"While some of us may be sad that this chapter of our lives is over, today is a day that we have been waiting for: the beginning of the next chapter of our lives," she said, but added, "Life is not always about what you want to do if you want to achieve great things. Most of the time, it takes dedication."

Cassie continued, "I have learned that life isn't about what I want to do. It's about what I need to do or have to do to get better. It wasn't until a couple weeks ago that I finally understood why my parents were always pushing me to be the best that I could. ... The habits I started in high school are going to be the ones that show up when I get to college. Those habits will be the ones that I take with me for the rest of my life."

High School Counselor Tina Burton identified each student who had earned a scholarship and named each scholarship earned.

In total, she said, the class qualified for more than $315,000 in scholarships.

Board of Education President John Zitelman then read students' names as Superintendent Wright handed them their diplomas and moved their tassels.

The ceremony closed with a celebratory toss of graduates' caps into the air.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net