Ephrata High School seniors graduate

EPHRATA - The seniors at Ephrata High School are seniors no more.

On Friday, 154 Ephrata High School students received their diplomas and four exchange students received certificates of attendance.

Students Danielle Friend, Curtis Treiber and Michaela Cagle took turns delivering a shared speech to their classmates, family and friends. The speech compared the lessons learned by the students over the last four years to a popular board game.

"In a way, these past four years have been like the instructions to 'The Game of Life,'" said Treiber. "Change is inevitable so we must learn to see the positive side in every situation."

"As we begin this next step on our journey on the road of life, our character will constantly be put to the test," said Friend. "No matter where this journey takes us, it is important to remember where we're going and where we started."

"The entire goal of 'The Game of Life' is to retire with the most money in order to win," said Cagle. "Unlike the game, however, in real life winning isn't achieved through possessions, fame and wealth. Instead, it is achieved through moments that feel more like a dream than reality."

"It is achieved by having irreplaceable relationships," said Treiber.

"It is achieved through unforgettable experiences," said Cagle.

"Winning is being happy and being able to share that happiness with others," said Friend.

Retiring teacher Lois Gibbens bid the graduates farewell on behalf of the school faculty.

"Let me say, from the entire faculty, congratulations, class of 2011. We are proud of this class. We have watched you over the past four years grow from tentative, unsure freshman to confident, self-assured seniors. We have taught you, we have encouraged you, we have argued with you, we have gotten impatient with you, we have laughed and cried with you, and we have genuinely enjoyed you. You have taught us much and, as we have been your teachers, you have been ours also. And now we must let you go and say goodbye."

After the students received their diplomas, students Abby Smith and Mattias Dilling addressed their class.

Smith took a moment to recognize teachers retiring this year.

"They have been dedicated to Ephrata High School for many years and we appreciate all you've done," she said. "Thank you."

"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice," Dilling told his peers. "It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. So for the class of 2011, I challenge you to go out into the world, make your choices, pursue your dreams and work hard to achieve success in your lives, because it won't come to you."

With the turning of their tassels, and a flurry of caps filling the air, the graduates ended their high school careers and took their first steps toward the new journeys awaiting them.

"Finally being done with school feels good," said Brad Christensen. "I'm looking forward to the next step in life."

Christensen said he plans to attend Boise State University in the fall. He's not sure exactly what he wants to study, but is interested in something involving finance, he said.

"I was really nervous when we were walking," said Mary Asker. "And then afterwards it was a really big relief."

Asker plans to attend Eastern Oregon University to study business.