Moses Lake graduates embrace future

MOSES LAKE - Smiles, hugs and hollers set the tone of graduation for Moses Lake High School's class of 2008.

Roughly 330 students graduated Friday at Wallenstien Theater.

"The class of 2008 has definitely left a mark on Moses Lake High School," Principal Dave Balcom told a full crowd of family and friends.

Balcom recognized the top 10 graduates, as well as students who are finishing their Associate of Arts degree through Running Start.

Seniors Megan Frederick and Alexis Ballinger were the featured speakers.

Frederick noted the pressures placed on the class of 2008, including passing the WASL and completing a senior project. If the recently released Indiana Jones movie really wanted to be action packed, it should have been called, "2008 Seniors and the Project of Doom," she said.

Frederick encouraged her classmates to continue their hard work in the future. Independence was a major theme of Frederick's speech. She said if her classmates believe in the path they are taking, they should continue on, despite the opinions of others.

She thanked school staff for their support over the years.

"We will always have their support, but we will now be able to experience life with less and less of their help," she said.

Ballinger repeated a quote that is in the hallway at Moses Lake High School: "Through these halls walk the greatest people in the world."

"This is true. For right now, we might not be the greatest people in the world, but the potential is there," she said.

She encouraged students to do everything in their power to fulfill their dreams.

"This year the class of 2008 was asked to jump higher than any other Moses Lake High School class," Ballinger said. She noted the many graduation requirements students met to earn their diplomas.

After students received their diplomas, family and friends gathered with them outside.

Siblings, relatives and friends lined up outside the door holding signs in recognition of their graduate, A.J. Rose.

"We are very proud of him," said his grandmother, Gloria O'Brien.

Moses Lake High School graduate Stephanie Jackson, 18, expressed enthusiasm for the future.

"I'm excited that I graduated but I'm also excited to go to college and to start a life outside of high school," Jackson said.

Her family, including parents Darrin and Tammy Jackson, and grandparents Daryl and Lana Jackson, came out to see her graduate.

"When they were marching, it was hard to keep back the tears," Lana Jackson said.

Chelsey Sirek was supported by family who traveled from Wenatchee and Boston, Mass.

"Honestly, she has brought Converses back into style up at the high school," said her mom, Letha Hays.

She pointed out her daughter's tall white Converse boots.

"She's the pride and joy of all of our lives, and we're proud to see her graduate," said her aunt, Cindy DiBenedetto, from Boston.

Sirek's sister Ashley, 15, a sophomore at the high school, said, "She's like my model. She's what I look up to."

Graduate Jacob Newton said he plans to study at Mendocino College in California and then transfer to Eastern Washington University to study business and management. Afterward, he will return to Moses Lake in the hopes of managing a large business like Genie.

"Today, it's like an emotional roller coaster," Newton said.

He said the day started happy, but when they began announcing the names of graduates, he started to cry. Then, he was fine again, but he became emotional again when he emerged outside and saw the crowd of friends and family.

Newton graduated with his best friend, Derek McMains.

McMains' mother, Frogg McMains, said she asked her son if he was ready to graduate.

"So I thought, OK, I'm ready too," she said.

She said her home has been a hangout for her son's friends.

Derek McMains said he plans to study at Big Bend Community College, and then transfer to Washington State University for a degree in journalism. He hopes to work in broadcasting for ESPN.

"It feels great, like nothing can stop me," he said of graduating.