|
home / Education
Congratulations to the Class of 2012!
Alice Shoaf
Friday, June 1, 2012
On Thursday May 24, 2012, 288 Maricopa High School seniors entered Rams Stadium as students for the last time. They walked in pairs and in groups; some bursting with enthusiasm while others were already shedding tears. Various chords, tassels, and medallions attested to individual accomplishment. Unique headgear, footwear, blings, and adornments attested to their individuality.
They struggled against a capricious wind that blew hair and tassels, rose petals, and diplomas. They laughed with salutatorian Trista Eckert, cheered with Valedictorian Cara Oneal, and more than one danced when leaving the stage with diploma finally in hand.
This graduating class experienced many firsts. They were the first to attend the completed campus sans construction for their entire four years. They were the first class to be served by a newly formed Link Crew, a transition program that uses upperclassmen to guide, motivate, and mentor incoming freshmen. Twenty-one seniors joined that program themselves as Link Leaders to succeeding classes and trainers of new leaders. Many were involved in programs that earned state, national, and international recognition including orchestra, band, We the People, Decca, Service USA, Student Council, and some athletes.
The 2012 seniors were the first to hold state offices in national organizations and the first to boast National Merit scholars. One hundred and five graduates earned scholastic diplomas, while 88 were recognized as honor students. Collectively they earned more than $2 million dollars in scholarship money, more than any preceding class. Sixty-two students have already accepted more than 80 scholarships for ongoing education.
In addition, this class upheld the traditions of Maricopa High School while forming a few new ones for underclassmen to uphold: He-Man Volleyball, Teacher-in-a-box, Mr. MHS, and an award ceremony for student leaders. They feel, and will gladly tell you, that they were undoubtedly the most spirited school class in all of Arizona.
In her address, Principle June Celaya commended them for even more than all this. “You are leaving a legacy of compassion, and of perseverance,” she stated. “I have been in high school education for over 30 years. I’ve watched many students struggle. But, until the last four years, I have never seen so many students struggle through such hard economic times as their families strove to stay afloat. You are leaving today with a maturity that defines the meaning of compassion. Class of 2012, your willingness to stand by the side of colleagues, to support them with food when they were hungry, clothes when they had just a few, a ride when they had to walk, and sometimes a bed for them to sleep, has given me faith that humanity is not lost in a world of technological Botox. At the end of the day, you care about the well-being of people. I applaud you, and I encourage you to extend this beyond the walls of our school. Take your compassion and your perseverance in education, and go build your future.”
Congratulations, Class of 2012!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alice Shoaf / CopaNews.com
105 seniors received diplomas, awards, and recognitions.
|