FARMINGTON -- The Farmington Class of 2018 culminated their high school education with graduation ceremonies held on Tuesday, May 15, at Cardinal Arena for 161 graduates.
Several graduates joined the Crimson Select Ensemble to perform the "Star Spangled Banner," and accompanied by Kathy Dozier on piano for "Until We Sing Again," under the direction of Laura Jackson.
Cody Parrish, vice president Class of 2018, welcomed "parents, students, family, neighbors, colleagues, anybody, everybody, my cousin Michael, everybody for showing up tonight."
Parrish extended a special thanks to the broadcast crew airing the ceremony live and greeted those watching online at home, "It's special to have you guys here in spirit even though you can't be physically here tonight."
Addressing the Class of 2018, Parrish said, "It's crazy to think that 13 years ago was our first day of kindergarten. We were all getting out of the car, screaming, kicking, begging, 'Please don't make me go.'"
"And our parents looked at us with a soft smile and said, 'You have to.'"
"And now, 13 years later, we're here, eager to walk across this stage, get our diploma, and transition into the next phase of life. It's our parents who are the ones who are teary-eyed, saying, 'Please don't go,' but we have to."
Will Danenhauer offered a prayer on behalf of his class, praying for protection and peace, and expressing thankfulness for parents, guardians and community.
Principal Jon Purifoy commended the Class of 2018 in raising the standard for the academic achievement, extracurricular success and leadership.
"They have challenged those who have followed behind them to reach far and high," Purifoy said. "I speak for myself and faculty and staff of Farmington High School in expressing how proud we are of these fine young men and women. We expect to see great accomplishments from them in the future as they take what they have learned and experienced and use it to make our world a better place. May God bless each and every one of them as they step out into this journey."
Salutatorian Justin Macedo addressed the Class of 2018, and the Farmington High School band performed under the direction of Jim Spillars. Clayton Williams, assistant principal, announced each graduate's name as Purifoy handed out diplomas.
Valedictorian Coleman Warren recalled four years ago when the Farmington Class of 2018 was asked to create eighth-grade letters to their future senior selves as they would be graduating. Warren said, "These letters would inevitably captivate us with a sense of nostalgia -- as we remembered our naive eighth-grade mindsets."
Warren's letter read: "I have set a goal for you to be valedictorian. You can do it."
"School has always been a passion of mine so I decided to pursue it whole-heartedly and I discovered that I truly loved learning and growing with my fellow peers," Warren said. "My goal kept me going. It pushed me through the stressful periods of time. It pushed me through the moments when I felt defeated, but it eventually led me here."
Warren said goals are not confined by academic achievement such as one's GPA or ACT score and they are bound to change over time. Warren cited an example, "One seven-year-old was asked to write down his three main goals for himself in life; and here's what he said: 'No. 1 - Get a girlfriend, No. 2 - kiss her; and No. 3 - rule the world.'"
"Our goals will vary, our passions will vary," Warren said, reminding the class what is important is that they pursue their goals.
General News on 05/23/2018