SPRINGFIELD – In a time-honored tradition, high school seniors took some of their last steps as students across campus on Friday.
Rylie Lynnes stood in line to walk the stage at Thurston with her best friend, Karlie Yaroma. The two of them spent their high school years wrestling together.
“I really liked the family aspect of wrestling,” Lynnes said. Plus, she got a good workout during the season.
After high school, she is looking forward to attending Western Oregon University to pursue her “dream career” as an elementary school teacher.
Yaroma said wrestling was her favorite because she got to hang out with friends and meet new people. Before post-grad life sets in, people start getting jobs and moving off to attend school. Yaroma wants to spend the summer with her friends.
“I want one last great summer with my high school friends,” she said.
Ivey Wilson ranks second-highest in her graduating class by grade-point average, making her the salutatorian. Wilson initiated the Thurston Tech Turnaround program, in which she spent months restoring used technology to donate to people in need.
She will be studying electrical and computer engineering at Oregon State University and Lane Community College.
A sea of black gowns and decorated caps made its way across the stage in the middle of the football field, where graduates received their diplomas and returned to their seats before being released to the world.
A short while later, Springfield seniors, their families, and friends gathered outside SHS. This time, dark blue robes draped over graduation dresses, collared shirts, and fancy footwear. Some students, like Naveah Fonseca and Taylor McDaniel, also had light pink and brown colored chords representing their years in choir, band, and theater.
Fonseca shared a favorite high school memory, which did not actually happen at school.
“It was on a class field trip to Disneyland. A bunch of my friends were on the Incredicoaster,” she said.
McDaniel said SHS band teacher Jonathan Bridges was responsible for bringing the students to the theme park.
After high school, McDaniel plans to attend Washington State University and major in zoology. Fonseca is attending Southern Oregon University to study vocal performance and nursing.
“I’m just excited to be in a new place,” Fonseca said.
Principal Jose da Silva delivered a welcoming speech in English and Spanish before students shared their own reflections.
Ian McDonald began her speech with a background on the life she was born into. McDonald’s parents did not graduate from high school or find a long-term job.
“They chose drugs and alcohol over their kids. My dad was arrested. My mom lost our house, and at the beginning of junior year, I moved away. I entered my senior year scared, with harsh words from my parents playing in the back of my head. Will I graduate?” McDonald said.
“I felt like I was completely alone, like there was no point, no chance or right way, sometimes no point in even getting up in the morning.”
Through support at the school, McDonald was able to apply for scholarships.
“I know what it feels like to feel isolated, like you’re not smart enough or good enough. And since it feels like nobody cares, why should you? I’ll tell you why. We don’t get to choose where we come from, but we can choose where we go,” McDonald said.
McDonald is pursuing a music degree at Oregon State University with over $65,000 acquired in scholarships.
“Life can be ugly and unfair, but you can still make it here where I am today and further, no matter your story,” they said. “I had the strength to continue, even when I felt like I knew more than what I was capable of, and even though it may not feel like it, you’ve got people that are always willing to be the support that you need.”
