Sisters High School graduates Class of 2000

The 52nd commencement of Sisters High School elicited both tears and cheers from the audience and graduates as a total of 92 students graduated Friday, June 2, at the ceremony held in the high school gym.

Associated Student Body President Julieanna Little warmly welcomed the families and friends who had come to join the celebration.

Following introductions, 12 seniors performed Sara McLachlan's "I Will Remember You," which set the tone for an emotional evening.

The group included Rachel Beck (trumpet), Megan Pagano (flute), Nick Patterson (guitar), Stacy Patterson (percussion), Noah Harpham (bass), Cori Rapp (keyboard) and singers Mike Mills, Molly Johnson, Carrie Emrich, Chandra Hess, Julieanna Little, and Megan Benton.

Jason Lake then took the stage to present his salutatory address, borrowing from Dr. Seuss to remind his fellow graduates that "Today is your day, you're off to great places."

Evan Owens, the first of four valedictorians to speak, gave a lighthearted, but heartfelt talk on the art of having fun and being successful.

"Our class is filled with people with heart and desire," he said. "Take Johnny Culver for example. If you gave him a screwdriver and a banana, he could build you a computer."

Eli Pyke had the crowd riveted with his description of a near fall while climbing Hayrick Butte earlier this year.

"For me to realize how precious life is, I had to face death," he said. "So look at your life and all the pieces that you take for granted, and be thankful. Then find the joys of life, and pursue them."

Grant Cyrus propelled himself to the stage with the aid of a whirlygig attached to his cap. Cyrus, obviously quite proud of his classmates, described them as "the most athletic, artistic, dramatic, and highest achieving class the community of Sisters has ever known."

The final speaker, Megan Benton, who will attend New York University next fall, recited a poetic journal entry she wrote a week and a half earlier at the senior retreat, describing with a eloquence the things she would miss about Sisters High School.

"I will miss the perfect blend that occurs when jazz choir hits a note....I will miss the mountains...

"I will miss playing cards and knowing who will cheat. I will miss everything that is familiar to me, from my surroundings, the people, the way I am regarded. In short, I will miss all of you, and I hope you will miss me."

The seniors proceeded to journey in search of their mothers in the traditional giving of flowers then took their seats on the floor to watch the annual senior video on the big screen.

A loving tribute to Frank Dale, who died in December as a result of a snowboarding accident, preceded a 25-minute video recap of the life and times of the senior class.

Following the video, senior class president Travis Comfort presented the senior gift, a bell made by Peter Small, given in memory of Dale, Carlos Valdez, and Nellie Zook.

With that, Boyd Keyser presented the class of 2000.

Teachers Glen Herron and Carol Dixon, selected by the class as special greeters, met the graduates on stage, and school board member Heather Wester got busy handing out diplomas.

Graduate Seth Bafford, who missed the last three months of school due to a battle with bone cancer, received a rousing standing ovation as he crutched his way up onto the stage with the help of his long time friend Joel Priest to receive his hard-earned diploma.

In all, 78 students received Sisters High School diplomas, and 14 more from the Flex program, Sisters' Alternative School, took home State of Oregon diplomas.

Moments after Mike Ball, who was the last to go through the line, gave a shout, hats flew, cameras flashed, and the class of 2000 proudly strutted off to the future.