Excitement, mixed emotions at Othello graduation
An Othello Hgh School senior, left, exchanges a high-five with a teacher during the graduation processional.
Cheryl Schweizer
Proud members of the Othello High School class of 2023 show off their diplomas.
Family members show their support for an Othello graduate.
An Othello senior gets his diploma, and a hug, from Othello School Board member Sharon Schutte
An Othello senior waves to the crowd while entering Huskie Stadium during graduation ceremonies.
An Othello High School graduate gets his diploma and gives a hug from Othello School Board member Thalia Lemus.
Holding her diploma, an Othello senior leaves the stage.
Othello seniors turn the tassel, signifying their high school days have come to an end.
An Othello High School teacher exchanges a high-five with a senior during graduation ceremonies on June 2.
An Othello High School senior receives his diploma with a solemn smile.
Diploma in hand, a member of the Othello class of 2023 gives a thumbs-up to his family and friends.
An excited Othello High School graduate receives her diploma from Othello School Board member Thalia Lemus, left, in graduation ceremonies on June 2.
OTHELLO — Luis Alvarado, Othello High School class of 2023, admitted to mixed emotions as he left Huskie Stadium after OHS graduation ceremonies.
“Happy. Most definitely,” he said.
Along with that, though, was something else — something his friend and fellow classmate Jared Deras said was hard to define. Anxiety in a way, but mostly just the knowledge that a whole set of new experiences is coming up, they said.
Valedictorian Jerrica Gomez said the class would have both challenges and opportunities in her valedictory speech.
“This chapter of our lives is closing, but another opens,” she said. “We’ve all dealt with the highs and lows of high school, and though many of you are glad it’s over, we must remember that after high school things won’t be the same.”
But there’s more to it than just one experience in life ending, she said.
“Our future is something we have to make. The future in front of us has many opportunities. And we have to take it,” she said.
Brand-new graduate Genesis Castro said it was time to look forward. High school, she said, is the preparation for what comes next.
“It feels like the start of a whole new chapter in my life,” she said. “It’s a mixture of emotions.”
Rafael Gutierrez said he is looking forward to the next chapter. He committed to the U.S. Marine Corps, and is ready for boot camp. In fact, one of his motivations for keeping his grades up was the knowledge that graduation was a prerequisite for joining the Marines, he said.
“We used to see people graduating, and now it’s our turn,” said salutatorian Mariza Gonzalez.
Graduation 2023 was a double celebration for Jaden Perez.
“It’s a very big day,” said his dad Santos. “It’s his birthday, too.”
Perez is the first in his family to graduate, the oldest of three children, his dad said.
Gomez said failure was inevitable — she’s already experienced it - but that failure can lead to success.
“Look where we are. We’re graduating,” she said. “Now that, I call a success.”
Gomez’s family was prepared for the occasion with matching t-shirts. Her brother Eric Gomez, now studying electrical engineering at Washington State University, said the ceremony was an experience for him too. He’s a 2020 OHS graduate, and the COVID-19 pandemic scuttled the last part of his senior year.
“We didn’t really have a graduation,” he said.
Senior class president Jerry Alvarado-Sosa said the pandemic had an effect on the class of 2023 also. They were freshmen when classes were moved online for what was supposed to be a few weeks, which stretched into months. When they finally did get back to full days at OHS, everyone who had experience in high school had graduated.
“What exactly was the whole point of this?” he asked. “I want you guys to think about this. We have overcome an entire global pandemic and we have survived school with those COVID restrictions along with it. No matter what life throws at us, we were able to overcome and surpass what is needed from us.”
“I wouldn’t consider this a goodbye, because goodbyes are sad,” Gonzalez said. “So how about hello to a new adventure.”
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.
