Lindsay grads are dream-makers
More than 200 received diplomas Friday
A crowd in the hundreds, full of family and friends filled Frank Skaden Stadium on Friday night to celebrate Lindsay High School’s graduating class of 2017.
The graduates proudly proceeded down into their seats decked in their white and red caps and gowns with their golden stoles to celebrate a night they have long been awaiting.
Natalia Vasquez gave the welcoming speech followed by Paulina Romero who gave it in Spanish.
“We come from a small town so our abilities are doubted, but a lot of us have plans to show the world what we are capable of, and that determination is what the class of 2017 will be remembered for,” said Vasquez. The best way to show our gratitude is to show them all that we are more than just a bunch of dreamers. The class of 2017 are not just dreamers but dream-makers.”
Principal Heather Rocha also got in on the action, and followed by giving a motivational speech to the students. She thanked an acknowledged the staff, and governing board members who were in attendance.
“Cardinals, learn from mistakes, learn from others, and learn from your successes,” said Rocha. “Thank you for letting me be your principal and remember to live learn and love every day.”
She acknowledged that although this Lindsay class was smaller than last year’s with 204 graduates, she was proud of them for earning almost $500,000 in scholarships.
Valedictorian Karina Gonzalez, who earlier this year was accepted into Cambridge, Mass.’s, most prestigious school, Harvard University followed the principal’s message and reflected on the memories made in school.
“From now on we will be on totally different paths, some of the faces we saw every day, some for over a decade won’t be the same. We all experience friendships that faded, but this will be the first true goodbye.”
Brett Grimm was on stage next as presenter for the 2017 California Scholarship Federation and honored many of the students who were awarded scholarships.
Vice Principal Russell Ernst also acknowledged the top 10 graduates who earned a GPA of a 3.8 and 4.0, respectively.
Salutatorian Daniel Baca finished off the night with a speech that many graduates won’t soon forget.
He spoke of the roots students leave behind by growing up in a small town like Lindsay and how important it is to remember where they come from.
“I can’t tell you how many times I have walked passed orange groves and the citrus smell that they give off without giving them a second thought, and it wasn’t until I was halfway across the world in Japan that I realized how important orange trees are to our community,” said Baca. “Seeing citrus in a foreign country reminded me of my roots, and just like those of an orange tree they run deep. Our roots ground us and guide us into bigger and better things.”
Presentation of the diplomas soon followed but not before the graduates broke out in cheers and danced to the “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan that got most of the crowd excited for the celebration. The 204 Lindsay High School graduates received their diplomas and went out dancing to an old-school beat awaiting the adventures ahead.