Goodbye, WHS...... Hello, World

Photos by Jeff Pope
The night sky lit up with fireworks and Silly String as the students of the Class of 2005 ended their high school careers May 25 on the field at Emil Nasser Stadium. A full house watched the 147 seniors receive their diplomas.

Photos by Jeff Pope The night sky lit up with fireworks and Silly String as the students of the Class of 2005 ended their high school careers May 25 on the field at Emil Nasser Stadium. A full house watched the 147 seniors receive their diplomas.

For some it was a solemn occasion — a formal recognition of the passing from childhood to adulthood. For others it was a reason to party.

Many of the graduating seniors at the Winslow High School Commencement Ceremony walked gracefully to receive their diplomas but a few danced, strutted and even somersaulted to celebrate the end of one part of their lives and the start of something much bigger.

The Class of 2005 is the 92nd assembly to earn diplomas from WHS.

The graduates could hardly contain their enthusiasm from the start. As they marched across the football field to take their seats, cheers filled the night air echoed by the standing-room-only crowd of families and friends.

The WHS Band and Choirs provided the entertainment, which included music from "Braveheart," "Where Never Lark or Eagle Flew," "Remember Me This Way," "Light the Fire Within," and an extended version of "Pomp and Circumstance" while the 147 students took their seats.

Senior Class President Frances Lewis welcomed the crowd then passed the mic to the duet of Kristin Beaty and Leah Cake, who performed the "Star Spangled Banner."

Class Secretary and Co-Valedictorian Joseph Ricks announced that the theme for the Class of 2005 is "Bulldogs Forever."

To illustrate the diversity in the class, four students welcomed the crowd and students in separate languages. Ashley Gilliam spoke in English, Tiffany Bert welcomed everyone in Navajo, Rosa Romano spoke Italian and Maribel Barron greeted the crowd in Spanish.

This year's class included eight students who achieved a perfect 4.000 grade point average throughout their high school careers. Ricks and Narendra Patel were co-valedictorians and Ryan Gonzales was named salutatorian.

In her speech, Gonzales said the Class of 2005 intended to leave its legacy on the school and they did just that.

"As the first class to graduate at the new high school, we've set an excellent example for all generations to come," she said. She also said that no matter where they travel to, they would be Bulldogs forever.

Patel thanked the teachers for helping to shape their characters of the students and spoke about the mixed feelings on the memorable night.

"I feel thrilled yet at the same time dreadful… this is the last time we'll be together as the Class of 2005," he said. He added that his classmates should be proud of themselves for the perseverance they showed to make it to that night.

Ricks began his speech speaking in Navajo then apologized in case he inadvertently cussed out the crowd. He said he would live up to the tile of his speech, "Don't waste Time," and proved it by speaking for about one minute.

"No one ever said on his deathbed, 'I wish I'd spent more time in the office,'" he said. He also quoted singer John Lennon and Jedi Master Yoda.

Navajo County Treasurer Manny Hernandez, WHS Class of 1971, gave the keynote address. He told the students they were starting a new chapter in the book that is their lives.

"You're ending just Chapter 1 tonight and you start writing and capturing all that is to come for you," he said.

Principal Doug Watson read the students' names as they came forward to receive their diplomas from the Winslow School District Governing Board members and Athletic Director Don Petranovich.

Class Vice President Ashley Brown thanked everyone for attending the evening. When she was done, the night sky lit up with fireworks. The graduates celebrated by spraying each other with Silly String and with hugs and tears.

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