Graduates of the class of 2010 could not have asked for a more beautiful day for their commencement ceremony on Friday. Turlock High School and Pitman High School seniors walked down the aisle to pomp and circumstance on a cool but clear day. As they waited their turn in the procession line, their sweat was from nerves and not from the usual heat of graduation day.
Student speakers from both schools kept their cool as they reflected on the past 12 years and looked forward to the rest of their lives.
Pitman High School Valedictorian Jeffery Shen gave a double graduation speech with Dominic Romeo, a distinguished scholar graduate. They spoke about memories, shared a few inside jokes, and poked good natured fun at each other. Their overall message to their fellow students was to look forward, but glance back occasionally at the good times they shared.
Marissa Moosekian was class speaker for Turlock High School. She took the opportunity to thank her teachers who did their best in a time of budget cuts and layoffs. She asked her fellow graduates to consider the teachers who are expected to do more with fewer resources, and to not blame them for the current state of education. She also urged her fellow graduates to use their high school diploma for good, and to give back to the community and “pay it forward.”
Turlock High school psychology teacher Ryan Tribble gave advice not only useful to his own students, but to all high schoolers graduating in 2010.
“From this day forward, you are the only one to blame for your life,” Tribble said.
The message of his speech was that graduates are now adults, and they are responsible for their actions. He warned students that there are tough times ahead of them. Tribble also urged students to wake up with a smile on their face, even when they don't feel like smiling, and to go to work, even when they don't feel like working. That message to persevere in life was echoed at both of the Turlock Unified School District's high school graduations on Friday.
After the speeches were done and the names were called, students turned their tassels from right to left, signifying that they were officially graduates of the class of 2010. They tossed their caps into the wind, and took their first steps into the world of adulthood.
To contact Andrea Goodwin, e-mail agoodwin@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2003.
Student speakers from both schools kept their cool as they reflected on the past 12 years and looked forward to the rest of their lives.
Pitman High School Valedictorian Jeffery Shen gave a double graduation speech with Dominic Romeo, a distinguished scholar graduate. They spoke about memories, shared a few inside jokes, and poked good natured fun at each other. Their overall message to their fellow students was to look forward, but glance back occasionally at the good times they shared.
Marissa Moosekian was class speaker for Turlock High School. She took the opportunity to thank her teachers who did their best in a time of budget cuts and layoffs. She asked her fellow graduates to consider the teachers who are expected to do more with fewer resources, and to not blame them for the current state of education. She also urged her fellow graduates to use their high school diploma for good, and to give back to the community and “pay it forward.”
Turlock High school psychology teacher Ryan Tribble gave advice not only useful to his own students, but to all high schoolers graduating in 2010.
“From this day forward, you are the only one to blame for your life,” Tribble said.
The message of his speech was that graduates are now adults, and they are responsible for their actions. He warned students that there are tough times ahead of them. Tribble also urged students to wake up with a smile on their face, even when they don't feel like smiling, and to go to work, even when they don't feel like working. That message to persevere in life was echoed at both of the Turlock Unified School District's high school graduations on Friday.
After the speeches were done and the names were called, students turned their tassels from right to left, signifying that they were officially graduates of the class of 2010. They tossed their caps into the wind, and took their first steps into the world of adulthood.
To contact Andrea Goodwin, e-mail agoodwin@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2003.
