Center High School celebrates graduating class

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Photos by Mechel Meek The graduating class of 2022 for Center High School walked across the stage to the delight of their family and friends on Saturday, May 28. It was a moving ceremony with the gymnasium decked out for the occasion with signs, decorations in blue and gold, and a golden doorway. Courtesy of Vikings Blue Crew The Center High School graduating class of 2022 consisted of 18 students.

CENTER — The graduating class of 2022 for Center High School walked across the stage to the delight of their family and friends on Saturday, May 28.

It was a moving ceremony with the gymnasium decked out for the occasion with signs, decorations in blue and gold, and a golden doorway.

The celebration began with speeches by Center High School Principal Kevin Jones, who also gifted the students with a children’s book titled “Have You Ever Wondered What You Will Be?” by author Junia Wonders. Jones said that the book was to show the students that what they are today was not what they may be in the future, and that they should continue to grow and strive.

“What I am telling you is to go forward and look for your dreams,” said Jones.

The students held an air of palpable anticipation waiting for their chance to walk across the stage and receive their diploma.

The stands and chairs were filled with proud family and friends from the Center community.

The motto for the class of 2022 was “Chase your dreams, but always know the road that’ll lead you home again,” by an unknown author.

Before the diplomas were presented, there were speeches by the Valedictorian, Salutatorian and the commencement address was presented by Jan Vigil.

Vigil played the classic song, “Lean on Me” by musician Bill Withers and spoke about needing to help others and to accept help when you need it.

The students spoke of their future plans, and how much they appreciated their families and community for their support.

Salutatorian Yamileth Trejo-Chaparro and Valedictorian Yahiy Quintana both spoke to their classmates regarding their time at Center High School.

Trejo-Chaparro said, “In just the blink of our eyes, our journey here has ended.”

Quintana said, “High school was full of good and bad moments, but I wouldn’t change a thing.” After the speeches, the graduating students went among the crowd of family members and presented them sunflowers and red roses in appreciation of their support while a slideshow of the graduating students played in the background.

The students then lined up in front of the stage to each be called up to receive their diplomas.

Each student after receiving their diploma participated in the time-honored ceremony of moving their tassel from the right to left side of their cap to signify that they had graduated in a simple but significant ceremony and then tossing their cap into the air in celebration.

The graduating class of 2022 consisted of 18 students — Valedictorian Quintana, Salutatorian Trejo-Chaparro, Victor Almeida, Rafael Bolanos, Elizabeth Chavez, Santos Cruz-Giron, Abraham Echauri, Deisy Estrada-Majalca, Mica Garcia, Raul Gonzales-Rodriguez, Daniel Gutierrez, Hector Hernandez, Omar Hernandez-Mendoza, Karen Holguin-Guzman, Stephane Molinar-Almeida, Jaelin Padilla, Alexis Varela, and Priscilla Zapata-Chavez.