Pride, tears as Othello graduates

OTHELLO - Christina Rivera asked for balloons at graduation, so her sister Megan complied.

"She wanted a lot. And I'm proud of her," Megan said, so she honored Christina's request with a lot of balloons. A whole lot, at least 10. "She deserves the best," Megan said.

Alex Castro's family made signs that spelled out C-A-S-T-R-O, just for that moment he walked across the field. That gave some indication of his mom's feelings, but just a little. "I'm so filled with pride because he wasn't supposed to make it when he was born. And now he's graduating," Victoria Castro said.

There was a lot of pride as the Othello High School class of 2013 accepted diplomas from Othello School Board members Stewart Hilmes and Juan Garza Friday night. There were a lot of cheers too, balloons and gifts, signs, and lots of tears. Valedictorian Brooke Roylance made it almost to the end of her speech, all the way to the part where she was thanking her mom and dad, cousins and brothers and sisters, before had to stop and take a breath.

Roylance compared what comes after high school to driving a car; "you are in control," she said. "It's up to you to decide how you will live your life."

She said the most frequently asked question has been what she plans to do with her life, she said, and how she has the opportunity to find out. Each graduate now begins a separate journey, she said. "Mine begins Monday morning, at Othello mosquito control," her summer job.

Co-valedictorian Juston Lind said he decided to ask his fellow seniors for their advice for the class of 2013. He quoted some of their answers, being your own person, being a leader and not following, dreaming big, finding the motivation to succeed, "and don't forget to smile."

Growth doesn't stop with high school graduation, Lind said, and he encouraged his classmates to do something with their lives. He had one last piece of advice. "Keep calm and graduate like a boss."

District superintendent George Juarez expressed thanks to the parents, families, friends and support systems of the class of 2013, saying he knew they had put in "endless hours," everything from encouraging them in class to driving them to practice to waiting up for teenagers to get home. Parents and families should feel proud, he said.

And they did, standing to cheer as names were announced, waving signs, taking pictures of the big moment. When the ceremony was completed, family and friends gathered at each end of Huskie Stadium to take more pictures and offer congratulations.