Lind-Ritzville graduates eager for next chapter
Lind-Ritzville graduate Diana Longoria celebrates with family members after the school's commencement ceremony Sunday. Longoria was one of the salutatorians for the Class of 2013.
RITZVILLE - With high school officially behind them, the 45 graduates of Lind-Ritzville High School are ready for their next challenge.
The school's Class of 2013 received their diplomas during a ceremony Sunday afternoon at the Gilson Gym in Ritzville.
Many students plan on either attending college, serving in the military or entering the workforce, school officials said Sunday.
Counselor Linsdey Ross said college-bound graduates received about $182,650 in scholarship money from various schools and organizations. That money will help students further their education, she said.
Ross also said some students have already enlisted in various branches of the military.
"Those who enlist know that their primary duty is to serve; serve their country and serve their communities," she said. "We have several students in the 2013 class who have made that promise."
Valedictorian brittany Dew-Blaske said she knows her classmates will achieve a lot over the next few years.
"As I stand alongside this unique group of individuals, I see so much potential," she said. "I know that wherever life takes them, they will accomplish great things."
Fellow valedictorian Amalia Perez echoed those sentiments.
"We have a variety of strong individuals within this graduating class," she said. "We have future doctors, teachers, vets, private investigators and successful businessmen and women."
Salutatorian Diana Longoria told her fellow graduates to congratulate themselves for making it this far.
"For many of us, we have faced challenges along the way," said Longoria. "But being here today represents that each and every one of us have been able to get past any obstacle we have faced."
Longoria said school was a challenge at first because English was her second language.
"Going to school was always a struggle for me and communicating with others was extremely difficult," she said.
However, Longoria said she was able to master English with the help of her teachers and these up port of her family. She said other students overcame their challenges with similar support.
"I'm so proud of each of my classmates for getting this far," she said.
Ashley Ambers and Satchel Henneman were the school's other salutatorians.