Moses Lake High School celebrates seniors

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake High School seniors gathered at Lions Field Saturday morning to say goodbye to teachers, friends and their school.

High school diplomas were awarded to 366 graduates and seven foreign exchange students received honorary diplomas.

"On Thursday our academic lessons were finished and you're about to enter the real world," Moses Lake High School Principal Josh Meek told the departing students. "My only prayer for you is that we've done our job, that we taught you to think for yourself, that we taught you to think critically and that we helped instill a sense of pride and accomplishment in you."

"No matter what we do, we are always growing and learning," said Senior Class Honor Speaker Jordyn Darling. "Our education is never done."

Darling challenged students to consider the notion of living each day as if it were their last.

"If we think that tomorrow's our last day we have nothing to lose," she said. "Our time is limited. So, let's not waste it living someone else's life. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition."

Senior class speaker Dallas Pryor's speech focused on what it means to be a Moses Lake High School Chief as the graduates leave high school and take on other titles.

"I believe Chiefs are never willing to give up a fight," he said. "Never give up on what you want; anything is possible. ... Have confidence that you can go as far as you want. Have confidence that your dreams are achievable. Have confidence in yourself. And, dang it, have confidence that the world isn't going to end in 2012."

"Some call us champions, others legends," he said. "But we prefer to be called Chiefs."

Every year, graduating seniors have the opportunity to select a staff member within the Moses Lake School district that has had a large impact on them as a class. This year, the seniors chose Moses Lake High School teacher Karen Stall and Meek took a moment to recognize her.

"Thank you class of 2011," said Meek after the students received their diplomas. "I wish you the very best in life. You complete your journey as Chiefs and, as you begin this new chapter in your life, remember that no matter what happens you will always be a Moses Lake High School Chief. May you bleed maroon, may your heart always be gold."

Senior class officers Carlos Hernandez and Karly Pearsall addressed their students as they turned their tassels, officially sending the graduates into the world. The school's fight song blared and balloons, beach balls and caps filled the air above the graduating students.

"It's the next step in a big long journey that everybody's prepared us for," said graduate Kabe Fluaitt, 18.

He plans to wrestle at North Idaho College, then transfer to Boise State to study automotive engineering.

"I want to build cars," he said.

"It feels really great to be done with school and actually getting to go on to bigger and better things," said graduate Alexis Stroud, 18.

She plans to attend Big Bend Community College for two years, then transfer to a university to become an elementary school teacher.

"I'm definitely going to miss the teachers," she said. "There's a lot of teachers who really inspired me." Mr. Lindholm, her English teacher junior year, was particularly influential, she said.

"He actually pushed me to do my very best," she said. "He would actually make sure you did your job as best as you possibly could."