Moses Lake seniors graduate Monday night

Moses Lake High School seniors find their families in the crowd during graduation ceremonies Monday evening.

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| June 4, 2014 6:05 AM

MOSES LAKE - A record-setting senior class said goodbye to Moses Lake High School in graduation ceremonies Monday evening.

Principal Josh Meek said the 68th graduating class is the largest in the high school's history; 406 students received diplomas. The teachers, administrators and staff have been with the seniors every school day for the last four years, he said. "My prayer for you is that we've done our job," Meek said.

"Well, guys, we did it," said Kyley Lanning, the honor speaker. Lanning and senior class speaker Jacob Stout were chosen by their classmates.

The seniors spent 2,160 days in school, Lanning said, all for this day. Look around, Stout said, "these are the people who shared this crazy journey."

Lanning said each senior should realize they found something they are good at, something that has value. They should remember to be kind, and grateful to the people who helped them this far and those who will help them in the future. "Everybody here has people supporting them," she said.

The future will have its challenges, she said, but the seniors can meet them. Somebody will handle the challenge, she said. "Why not you?"

"It has to be somebody, right? So why not you?" Lanning said. "Class of 2014, why not us?"

Stout took what he claimed was his first selfie ever, with his classmates in the background.

The seniors wouldn't have made it without the help of their parents, he said. He prepared a list of things that set Moses Lake High School apart - near-wrecks in the parking lot, the importance of the Grant County Fair. And he had a few jokes about the teachers that have been with the seniors in their last year.

Graduation is the start of a whole new chapter, Stout said. "Good luck out there and congratulations," he said.

The class chose to recognize teacher Michael Hofheins; selecting one teacher to say a few words to the class is a Moses Lake tradition.

Hofheins said the class was an "amazing and talented group. Thank you for making my job fun," he said.

"I can honestly say, there has never been a class like this," Meek said. He cited their academic and athletic achievements, the 37 students in the Avid class, all of whom will attend college. He recognized the class top 10 students, and the seniors who have completed the Running Start program.

Diplomas were distributed by district superintendent Michelle Price and Moses Lake School Board members Oscar Ochoa and Vicki Groff.