MONTE VISTA— The Monte Vista High School Band, short a handful of senior members, welcomed the 61 class of 2017 graduates to their commencement ceremony Saturday morning. The gym was teeming with smiling family, friends, educators and well-wishers, ready to send the graduates into a world ready for their talented contributions.
Class President and Valedictorian Noel Heredia began the proceedings with a practical speech for his peers to carry with them in their future. Heredia discussed the benefits of failure, reminding his classmates that as difficult as failure and struggles in their future endeavors may seem, they should see it as an opportunity. “We are going into a world more obsessed with newness than other generations,” Heredia noted how quickly technology and the world changes. Heredia stated he was confident that his classmates were up to the challenge, “This class has helped me see the good work we can do as students and adults.”
Steven Valdez was the next speaker to address the class. Valdez’s speech was equally optimistic. He praised the great accomplishments he had seen from his peers thus far and encouraged them to continue to use their individual talents to become the great inventors and innovators of their generation. Valdez included a quote from Albert Einstein in his speech, “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school” to remind his friends that they have a combination of natural talent and knowledge to build on.
Danielle Chacon stood on stage and flawlessly sang an uplifting song which was received by applause and cheers from the audience. Hector Ramos’ address blended humor with thanks and encouragement for his fellow graduates. Ramos recalled many fond memories made in “not your typical school” including Principal Scott Wiedeman kissing a pig and the memorable yet consequential “junior ditch day.” Ramos discussed how his family gave him inspiration to keep going when he wanted to quit, and thanked them for their example and for their endurance. Along the lines of inspiration, Ramos joked about watching Toy Story and telling his mother that he wanted to be like Buzz Lightyear. In Spanish and in English, he told the audience his mother’s reply, “Javi, you’re graduating next week; stop watching cartoons.” Ramos told his classmates not to be held back by the negative circumstances they will encounter and instead told them to analyze “How can I turn this weakness into strength?” Wiedeman then excused some of the graduates “one last time” to join the band for a special performance of two songs.
Megan Slifer presented the Melinda Pinkerton Inspirational Award in honor of her sister, a 2006 graduate of Monte Vista High School who was diagnosed with the Neurofibromatosis Type Two as a high school freshman. Despite the challenges and treatments that Pinkerton faced, she graduated from high school and college, enjoyed many hobbies and kept a blog about her experiences with the disease. Pinkerton passed away in April of 2016 at the age of 28. In her honor, her family created an award for a student who also faced challenges and hardships with courage and determination. Hector Ramos was this year’s recipient.
D’Anna Widger spoke about the presentation of flowers ceremony, thanking all of the family and friends who encouraged and pushed the graduates to reach their potential when they needed it, reminding her classmates “always be grateful for these people in your life.” The graduates then presented white roses to people who met Widger’s description as their class song, “I was here” by Beyonce played.
Following the slideshow presentation, Superintendent Robert Webb and Wiedeman presented those graduating with honors with their cords, including Alyscia Arellano, Ashley Butcher, Kenneth Cebbellos-Martinez, Marcus Chavez, Jovanny Garcia, Marisa Garcia, German Gastelum German, Alexis Gonzales, Cortnie Hunter, Moises Juarez, Brock Martin, Kyle Noonan, Aspen Pauley, Hector Ramos, Shanniah Salazar, David Samora III, Esteban (Steven) Valdez, D’Anna Widger, and Leah Yanez. Graduating with High Honors were Danielle Chacon and Tyesha Keever. Graduating with Highest Honors was Noel Heredia.
Cortnie Hunter spoke for the classes in memorium presentation, recognizing students who would have graduated within the decade but passed away. Hunter noted how all of them had touched the lives of their classmates in unique ways. Honorary diplomas were given to the parents of Joanna Mullett of the class of 2017, Kaylie Thompson of the class of 2014 and Alex Hotz of the class of 2014.
Following the presentation of diplomas by the board of education, Noel Heredia led his class in the turning of the tassels and the graduates left the gym to the school fight song played by the band, joined shortly by their elated family members.

MONTE VISTA— Friday evening marked Sargent School’s 100th anniversary and one of the most important days to the 25 graduates departing as the class of 2017. Following the processional, Justin Johnson led the ceremony with an invocation and the students were welcomed by Principal Ronna Cochran, who congratulated them and set the tone for the forward-looking speeches to follow, “You have successfully negotiated your way through 13 years of preparation. You are a class of outstanding and independent young people who are being honored today….Your future will be here soon. Make it a good one!”
Elementary Principal Joni Hemmerling marked the 100 year anniversary by asking all those present in the audience who were alumni to stand, with several dozen people throughout the gym visible. She then presented the teacher of the year award to Kendra Sanderson, who teaches fourth grade and is herself a 2006 graduate of Sargent. Sanderson was recognized for her high student standards in all aspects of their education.
Salutatorian Esteban Aguilera joked about finally being done with procrastinating on his schoolwork, including his salutatorian speech. He talked about the influence his faith has had on his success and thanked his parents, who immigrated to the U.S., for the positive example they provided. Aguilera admitted that he wasn’t always the easiest to deal with but thanked them “for putting up with me.” Aguilera also thanked his extended family, “friends, lunch ladies, custodians, tech guys” and all of the school’s teachers, staff and administration who contributed to the graduates’ successful education.
Co-Valedictorians Quincy Lester and Kelsey Kimberling gave a joint speech, citing their friendship since preschool and noting that they were the first co-valedictorian pair since 2004. The valedictorians’ speech showed thankfulness for all of the help they had received throughout their education. Kimberling thanked the school’s coaches “for pushing us to the final buzzer.” They thanked their families and the families of all of the graduates, with Lester stating “you are our biggest fans” and celebrating how they are confident they can always rely on their families for help when needed. They concluded their speech with wise advice for their peers, “The world is waiting” and “stay humble.”
Class speaker Eamonn Zollars reflected on his and his classmates’ growth into better people and thanked their families for all of the sacrifices they have made to mold them, “thanks for showing us who you are.” Zollars noted that the coaches and teachers who have contributed to the students’ success also deserve recognition for their dedication and sacrifices, “they get just as irritated [as parents] but worse because there are 10 times more of us.” Syree Gunnels was also a class speaker, noting that she is a third-generation Sargent graduate with the first being her grandfather 50 years ago. Among others, Gunnels also thanked the “teachers that truly care and strive to help us meet our goals” and Superintendent Steven Marantino upon his retirement: “your time and investment on us will not be wasted.”
The class took a few minutes to recognize the FBLA Advisor Sharon Adams. About two-thirds of the class were FBLA members and came forward to thank her for producing national competitors 33 out of the 38 years she has been the club advisor and noting that Adams has taken a total of 240 students to competitions overall. Adams is also a state FBLA advisor, has been teacher of the year twice and has dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to the concession stand.
Mary Fuchs and Dakota Perrin called Trevor Milney forward, carrying on the Presentation of the Spade tradition from the graduating class to the junior class who will be seniors the following academic year. The tradition began in 1932 with a wooden spade, which was retired after 1999. A granite spade has been used since the class of 2000 graduation. The granite version is only finished on one side, representing the work ahead for the students to complete after high school. Class sponsor Lisa Ellithorpe was also thanked for all of her hard work ensuring that the class of 2017 was always well-prepared.
Following the tearful tradition of presenting family members with flowers and a slideshow that encompassed 13 years of special memories, the graduates were presented with their diplomas and Justin Hacsi led his classmates in turning their tassels, managing to encompass the entire class in a selfie while doing so. The graduates ended their ceremony with a bang, throwing their decorated caps and shooting gold streamers outward.