MONTE VISTA— The class of 2018 marks the 46th graduating class of the Byron Syring DELTA Center and the 22nd graduating class of the Monte Vista Online Academy (OLA). The two classes held an optimistic graduation ceremony together on Saturday, May 19, recognizing the dedication of the students and their plans to fulfill their class moto by Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Superintendent Robert Webb opened the ceremony by thanking the school board, former principal Dirk Oden and requesting a standing ovation for the DELTA Center/OLA teachers, before recognizing the graduates. Webb noted the graduates of the DELTA Center /OLA have shown an exceptional amount of grit and determination in taking charge of their educations, sticking to their path until its completion and overcoming many challenges. Webb noted the students have and will likely still face challenges and discouragement as they enter higher education and the workforce but encouraged them to not allow being discouraged to hinder their progress, recanting the story of Thomas Edison, whose Nickel Alkaline Battery factory burned down when he was 67. Despite Edison’s age and lack of finances, he persevered in rebuilding his life and Webb noted almost everything Edison is famous for having contributed came after this massive challenge. Webb concluded by stating he hopes the graduates remember two things, “One, you can drive the bad experiences into a corner, but learn from them… and two, you have a lot of friends here,” Webb said, encouraging the graduates to remember they can rely on each other and the staff and administration of the school to support them.
Principal Kevin Wright stated he first met the graduating class when he was teaching sixth grade, nothing they will be one of the last classes to remember him as a teacher at all but joked they couldn’t forget him entirely, “Don’t worry, I will still haunt you on social media.” Wright noted the class had grown up after the Columbine shooting, were too young to remember 9/11 and were raised  in a time of “rapid cultural and technological change… but this class gives me a great deal of hope for the future.” Wright noted the class and their generation are extraordinary for the way in which they challenge the conventions, traditions and expectations of society, including how they have already challenged traditional school methods by succeeding in building their education in more individual and flexible ways. Wright noted he sees the class both honoring and transforming traditions creatively for the rest of their lives and was proud to recant how easy it was for the class to select their motto, because when asked they told him readily, “We’re going to change the world.”
DELTA Center Valedictorian Zoe Doyle addressed the packed Central Auditorium next with a concise speech of encouragement to her peers. Doyle reflected on the endurance the class has shown and encouraged them to take everything they have learned and put it to use in their future endeavors. “You’re capable of anything and everything you put your mind to,” Doyle said, telling the class to continue taking control of their educations and lives but not to forget to continue spreading positivity and giving thanks to everyone “who helped us on our journey to better ourselves.” Doyle was also recently named the student representative to Monte Vista City Council.
OLA Valedictorian Jaymie Coffman gave a joyful but tearful speech full of appreciation to her peers, teachers and family members for their constant love and encouragement through her education. Coffman also thanked the extended law enforcement family who has supported her. To her friends she added “You make me see the beauty in everyday life and in myself even when I don’t want to.” She also encouraged the class to thank all of the teachers who made their graduation possible before expressing her positive outlook for her classmates’ futures. “Our generation is constantly looking for ways to improve ourselves and our world… we can’t wait to get out and continue… We are all forces of nature and we can’t ever forget that.” Coffman closed with some very practical pieces of advice to her peers, including “Stay hydrated; cry when you need to; love yourselves, your parents and your best friends… and love the world.”
Charissa Gutierrez introduced the appreciation ceremony with each graduate taking two flowers to a family member who helped them through their journey, with proud and tearful moments shared throughout the auditorium. The class then watched a slideshow of current pictures of the graduates blended with baby and childhood photos, made possible by social studies teacher Ethan Huff, who Wright thanked before joking to the class, “You are all beautiful now but you were some really cute babies.”
Following the slideshow, the board of education presented their diplomas to the graduates and Mateo Cordova lead his class in the turning of the tassel ceremony before Wright dismissed the accomplished and prepared former-students out into the world to begin changing it for the better.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Michel/KBS Enterprises
The graduating class of 2018