PHS graduates over 400
Waving posters, whistling and shouting out the names of their students, a packed stadium screamed and cheered as more than 400 seniors — decked out in orange and green cap and gowns — walked under floral arches and crossed to the center of the football field as “Pomp and Circumstance” was played by the junior members of the Porterville Panther Band.
Following the flag salute by Matthew Rios, a welcome was offered by senior class president Ronaldo Galvan.
“High school has been an unforgettable journey that has prepared us for whatever the future may hold,” Galvan said and went on to talk about memorable and influential moments of high school and thanked all the parents and teachers for their support.
Nine school valedictorians — Caitlin Kelley, David Ojeda, Riley Sexton, Jaybree Lopez, Frank Makhlouf, Steven Chapman, Allison Negus, Charisse Duff and Guadalupe Hernandez — also shared a few words.
Ojeda began with a welcome and talked about the numerous East Yosemite League titles and Valley championships won by Porterville since his freshman year.
Lopez talked about forgetting negativity in life and making a difference.
“Be proud of what you have achieved, but do not be content,” Lopez said. “It’s time to find our purpose, and achieve it, and make a lasting impact on our world.”
Sexton talked about Chapman, who has already left for college to pursue his dream of making the starting line-up of Pepperdine University’s water polo team.
“He wishes he could be here to celebrate with his classmates but fulfilling one’s destiny often requires sacrifice.”
Sexton went on to share a few of Chapman’s words.
“God has given each of us special gifts designed specifically to help us achieve our destiny, and it is our job to nurture those gifts and use them for the better good,” Sexton quoted Chapman.
Makhlouf said he is not the same person he was when he first walked through the school gates in 2012.
“Who you are impacts your actions and those actions are what determine your destiny, so be wise friends and never be afraid to be you,” Makhlouf said.
Hernandez offered a few words in English, and later in the program, in Spanish. “These past four years
have been part of a small chapter in our lives, a brief period in which we had the opportunity to enjoy our lives to the fullest,” she said in Spanish and earlier in English. “We may not all be headed in the same direction, and we may not see each other again, but we have left our mark behind. We have proven that we are resilient and capable of making a difference in the lives of others.”
Sexton talked about being optimistic and making a difference in someone’s life.
“Whether in college, in our careers, or for the rest of our lives, my hope is that we explore, learn, empower and lead,” Sexton said.
Duff talked about reminiscing on the past and looking into the future.
“The unknown of our future may seem frightening now, looming over us like a thundercloud, but we might find that it is just a light, that brings the image of a glorious rainbow,” Duff said.
Each graduate will walk toward a different dream, goal and aspiration, Negus said.
“We will strive to make a mark in this world, no matter how big or small, to honor our school, our community and our families,” Negus said. “Today, we are one. Tomorrow, we are many. But no matter how different we all are, we all bleed orange and green.”
Kelley closed the speech by talking about the future and what lies ahead.
“Let’s persevere in all that we do while remembering that anything is possible,” Kelley said. “So to the Class of 2017, and the last of the 90’s babies, congratulations, God bless, we made it.”