‘Awesome journey’
Newly-minted Wahluke High School graduates turn their tassels at commencement Friday. During the graduation ceremony, student speakers celebrated their class's triumph of completing school despite the unique challenges they faced.
JOEL MARTIN/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Wahluke High School students file into the gym for their commencement ceremony Friday. 152 seniors graduated at the event.
Senior Class Advisor Joel Dugan addresses seniors and their families Friday at the Wahluke High School graduation.
A Wahluke senior shares a hug with family during the parent tribute at the high school’s graduation Friday.
Hugs were a trend throughout the commencement and into the evening as Mattawa and the surrounding area celebrated the achievements of the class of 2022.
A Wahluke High School senior holds her hard-earned diploma at graduation Friday night. This year’s class had a whirlwind final three years of high school trying to keep up with homework and extracurriculars in the midst of a pandemic - and succeeded in reaching their goals.
Wahluke High School seniors receive their diplomas at their graduation Friday.
Wahluke High School graduate Irineo Cazares touches up the paint on his car after graduation Friday. The rainy weather had caused his artwork to blur.
Wahluke High School graduate Maria Lazo has some plans for her life after high school.
Wahluke High School graduate Fernando Adame poses for photos with his mom, Irma Naranjo, after the graduation ceremony Friday.
MATTAWA — It was a rainy, drippy day outside, but that failed to dampen the spirits of 152 Wahluke High School seniors as they prepared to face the adult world Friday evening.
“I know we can all say that these past four years definitely passed by in the blink of an eye,” said Class President Maritza Cruz in her address at the graduation ceremony, held in the high school gym.
The graduation began, naturally, with seniors filing in to “Pomp and Circumstance,” many of them draped in Mexican flags. Principal Cody Marlow welcomed the students and families in English, with his remarks repeated in Spanish by WHS counselor Fabian Partida. He began his address by asking for a moment of silence in honor of the Native Americans and their history on the land on which the school stands.
“Since time immemorial, the Wanapum Indians have called Wahluke and the surrounding area along the Chiawana, known to most as the Columbia River, from the confluence of the river below the Tri-Cities as far north as the Wenatchee, their homeland,” he said. “They continue to forge meaningful relationships with their non-Indian neighbors to do their best to protect and preserve their ancestral and present-day homelands for future generations.”
The National Anthem was then sung by graduating senior Ezra Acevedo.
The first speaker was Class Advisor Joel Dugan, who teaches American government, psychology and leadership.
“I swore I wouldn't cry tonight, but that's probably not going to happen,” he said. “The first time I talked to some of you, you were in my wife's kindergarten class. I met others of you on the football field or the basketball court, in the hallways, at dances, even in detention.”
Dugan paid tribute to a student in the Class of 2022 who had passed away and emphasized the importance of telling others the things they need to hear, and not waiting or being afraid.
“If you have something to tell somebody, tell them right now. Don't wait. We learned over COVID - and other tragedies - that tomorrow's not a guarantee.”
Cruz then took the podium and thanked the parents and teachers for their help in getting the class where it is today. She was followed by two valedictorians, Angel Torres and Salvador Godoy. Both young men spoke about the class’s endurance under extraordinary circumstances.
“The only normal high school year that we had was our freshman year,” he said. “Since our sophomore year, we have experienced one of the worst epidemics that our world has ever seen. You have endured many hardships and experienced history. We're living history as we speak.”
Godoy spoke of the endurance and growth he and his classmates had undertaken during their time at WHS.
“We have found ourselves having to evolve and develop, persevere and become the adults we were meant to be,” Godoy said.
The students then paid tribute to their parents, leaving the stands and bringing a rose to their families in the audience. They assembled again on the risers, and school counselors called their names one by one while Marlow, School Board Chair Craig Sabin, WSD Superintendent Andy Harlow and Vice Principal Cori Kane handed them their diplomas.
The newly-minted graduates then turned their tassels and filed outside with raucous applause behind them.
“After 12 years on this awesome journey together, I have two last things to tell you,” said Dugan at the conclusion of his address. “I love you guys, and I'm proud of you.”
Joel Martin can be reached via email at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.
