Vikings Class of 2012 graduates

HOLTVILLE — A cheering crowd welcomed the Holtville High School senior class of 2012 as the students walked onto the high school’s football field dressed with their green and golden gowns Thursday evening.

“I’m honored and humbled to welcome you to the class of 2012 commencement ceremony,” said senior Olivia Silva while addressing attendees.

It was “your guidance and support that got us here,” said Silva to the crowd moments after leading in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The choir comprised of seniors then took the stage to sing a pop song, and took the opportunity to dance for the audience.

But with the speech of salutatorian Paige Brady the mood of the ceremony became more reflective.

“It is the end of the beginning,” Brady said, quoting Winston Churchill and then encouraging her classmates to contemplate the memories only to look into the future.

“I believe there is no obstacle too big for us,” she said toward the end of her eloquent speech.

Valedictorian Josue Lara then followed with a speech in which he commended the school and the teachers. “(We) have been prepared by the school to move onto bigger things,” he said.

Lara also said to his classmates that dedication is the key to progress.

Jokes and laughs came with the speech of class historian Cassandra Ramos.

Ramos brought with her speech memories of food fights, sports championships and high school love stories.

This is “our last walk together,” she said, “the world is not ending, we are just taking over.”

“We learned a lot more than we knew before,” Principal Jacqueline Hester said jokingly before directing students to receive their diplomas.

And as the students were walking, Cassandra Ramos’s grandmother, Hermenegilda Leimgruber, smiled in the audience just like many others did.

“I’ve raised her,” Leimgruber said in Spanish. “And I’m just happy — happy that she graduated.”

Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com