Sisters High School graduates class of '98

A processional, special music, inspirational speeches and a video glimpse of the past preceded the moment that the 72 seniors from Sisters High School's class of 1998 had been waiting for Sunday, May 31: the walk across the stage to receive diplomas, celebrate things accomplished, and commence the pursuit of their dreams.

After a warm greeting by student body president J.T. Bushnell and the traditional presentation of flowers to mothers of graduates, Andrea Culver gave her salutatory address which included a poem by Collin McCarty emphasizing the importance of dreaming your dreams and attempting things that seem impossible.

Culver's emphatic conclusion, "We will prevail," was met with cheers from her classmates.

The class valedictorians decided that six individual speeches was probably not practical, so three spoke, and three performed.

Jenny Crofoot chose to emphasize the theme of bravery from the first line of the class motto "Braver than you believe." She followed a timeline through the school years, illustrating times when bravery was required. From "cooties in kindergarten," to being the first group of seventh graders in the new school building six years ago, to facing adulthood, Crofoot promised that this class "can brave anything."

J.T.. Bushnell spoke of the importance of remembering the friendships among classmates developed over the past few years.

"Do not let the people and experiences of the upcoming years be a replacement for the years we've shared - only an addition," he said.

Amber Leis, too, reflected on friends, but also spoke of her class making a difference in the world through acts of kindness to "change the lives of others for the better."

In the most touching moment of the evening, valedictorians Dana DeKay, Rochelle Buchser, and Leigh Hoagland stood together on stage in what appeared to be the beginning of a group speech. But it was actually an act to introduce a surprise musical medley of songs in tribute to music teacher Jody Henderson, who recently announced his departure to teach at Mountain View High School.

The French horn, trumpet, and trombone blended together to say "thank you and best wishes" to their beloved band leader.

After the senior video gave the audience a glimpse at the seniors from diapers to prom gowns, principal Dennis Dempsey gave his fatherly admonitions to the graduating class.

"Don't worry too much," he said, "live up to your expectations and not someone else's; don't let the negative people in the world siphon you dry; and don't forget to be crazy from time to time."

With that, it was time to hand out diplomas. Twenty minutes later, when Mandy Dunn took the last one and returned to her seat, Dempsey presented the graduating class of 1998.

The class responded with a hail of cheers, far-flung caps, and a little Silly String, and tromped joyfully out of the gym and into their futures.