Ephrata class of 2016 leaves high school behind

EPHRATA — Every school has its graduation traditions, and at Ephrata High School that includes a picture of every graduate as they walk up the aisle (two by two, sometimes as a trio) to take their seats. That has spawned another tradition – not everybody participates, but a lot do – of striking a pose as the shutter clicks.

Elaborate handshakes, hip-hop stances, hands raised in triumph, a strategic display of T-shirts – it’s a tradition. Of course there were more traditional traditions during graduation ceremonies Friday night, hugs and tears and plenty of cheers from family and friends. Families brought signs, which they waved as graduates made the walk along the track at Kiwanis Field.

In fact, class of 2016 graduate Ismael Sanchez took a moment during his welcome speech (reviewed by the administration, as is traditional) to recognize one timeless tradition. “Please take a moment to silence your phones and babies. And crying moms.”

There were a lot of moms. And dads and grandparents and family and friends, so many the crowd spilled over into portable bleachers. Delaney Mickelsen, one of two class speakers, thanked the parents and family and friends who helped the class of 2016 get through high school to graduation – a journey, she said, of 1,374 days.

“Our class is full of leaders, although they may not look like it,” Delaney said. They proved their leadership, said EHS teacher David Tempel, chosen by the students as one of two faculty speakers.

It was the class of 2016 that persuaded the district to start a unified sports team, which allows students in the life skills classes to compete in organized sports. The class of 2016 went out of its way to include the life skills kids, said EHS secretary Sandi Black, the second faculty speaker. “That speaks volumes to their character as a class.

“In fact this class grows on you,” Black said.

Austin Franks, the second class speaker, called graduation “the end of one journey, the beginning of another.” He built his speech around the idea of life, what’s been and what’s to come, as a book. Graduates have contributed to the stories of their classmates, he said, and even as the graduates go on to new experiences, that shared memory remains.

“We have learned, we have matured,” Delaney said, which was seconded by Tempel. “We have seen students grow up right before our eyes,” he said.

Choir members from the senior class sang the national anthem before the ceremony and during the ceremony a group of seniors performed their version of the Imagine Dragons song “It’s Time.”