A8 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017
GRADUATION 2017
Members of the 2017 Hermiston High School
graduating class respond to one of the speakers during
Saturday’s graduation ceremony in the gym.
Blayne Benham adjusts Lillie Wheeler’s mortarboard
shortly before the two friends and their class
processed in to their school’s 107th annual
commencement at Hermiston High School.
Paola Carmona takes a selfie before she and her class
processed into the Hermiston High School gym for the
school’s 107th annual commencement.
BIGGEST GRADUATING CLASS EVER
STAFF PHOTOS BY KATHY ANEY
Members of the 2017 Hermiston High School graduating class celebrate at the end of Saturday’s graduation ceremony.
By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN
Staff Writer
A
n hour before the largest class
in Hermiston High School’s
history graduated, the halls
and sidewalks teemed with
family and friends ready to
celebrate the special day.
“This is my second grandchild
to graduate from Hermiston High
School,” said Linda Johnson, a grand-
mother of HHS graduate Gabriela Ro-
sales. “I’m so excited for her future
and for her.”
Johnson, who traveled from Mo-
ses Lake, Washington, was not alone.
In the room next door, the 332 al-
most-graduates waited — some giddy
and some nervous about the changes
to come.
For some, the moment represented
years of hard work.
“Traveling here was kind of a big
move for me,” said Emilio Landin,
who came to the area from Ontario
when he was in fourth grade. “Getting
that diploma, I’ve had to fight through
a lot of obstacles. Every student
has.” He smiled. “Ah, I’m getting all
choked up now.”
Landin said he plans to attend East-
ern Oregon University or Blue Moun-
tain Community College.
Some were ready to go and never
look back.
“I’m excited to be done,” said
Mallory Mulcare. “But I’ll miss my
friends”.
Her friend, Jerica Reddick, agreed
that she was excited to move on, but
would miss the people she’d met.
“I’m going to miss Ms. Robinson,”
she said. “She gave me the confidence
and the motivation to graduate.”
Many students agreed that while
the promise of new experiences is
exciting, they were nervous about the
unknowns ahead.
“I know everyone here,” said
Anders Lind, who will attend Cen-
tral Washington University for en-
gineering. “Just being comfortable
and knowing everyone, I’m going
Hermiston High School alumnus and
guest speaker Bob Barton looks out
at a sea of purple during Saturday’s
graduation ceremony.
Myra Lopez waves at someone in the bleachers as she waits in line to get her diploma
Saturday during graduation at Hermiston High School.
to miss that.”
Once the audience was seated, the
largest class in HHS history filed into
the gym. They heard from several of
their classmates, who encouraged
them to take advantage of opportuni-
ties, and never forget their parents and
teachers.
“You were our first fans,” said
valedictorian Audrey Lincoln as she
addressed the crowd. “We have not
made it here on our own.”
Kellie Zepeda, who welcomed the
crowd in Spanish, told her classmates
to remember one important thing:
“Our lives don’t end here,” she
said. “This is just the beginning.”
Principal Tom Spoo marveled at
this year’s graduating class, whom he
called the most accomplished in the
school’s history, listing off the various
honors and awards the class had col-
lectively received.
Karen Sherman, chair of the school
board, urged students to remember
the power one person can have to do
good.
“It’s time to reflect on those in your
life who have impacted you,” she said.
“Now is the time to realize that you
may be becoming that person who
may have an impact on others. Never
underestimate the power of one. Each
of you is important and can contribute
a great deal.”
The presentation of diplomas were
broken up by some short speeches.
Distinguished alumnus Bob Barton
encouraged students to find their pas-
sion, wherever that leads them.
Ismael Arenas presented the class
history, recalling some of the funny
moments the group has shared, as well
as the sad ones. He asked the crowd
for a moment of silence to remember
Brok Palmer, a senior who died this
school year.
“For me, high school was memora-
ble,” he concluded. “You all made my
day, every day.”
Finally, the students got the mo-
ment they’d been waiting for.
“This class has extreme potential,”
said Isabel Bartley, before leading the
group in the turning of their tassels. “I
can’t wait to see where we all end up.”
The students marked the end of
their high school years with a little
fun — tossing beach balls and spray-
ing silly string at each other as they
filed out of the gym for the last time.
–——
Contact Jayati Ramakrishnan at
541-564-4534 or jramakrishnan@
hermistonherald.com