Sisters graduates look to the future

Kristy Gilliam (r) hugged teacher Sally Benton at an emotional graduation ceremony June 7.

The 53rd commencement of Sisters High School was the largest ever as 114 students made the partial transition from school years to adulthood on Thursday, June 7 at the high school gymnasium.

An additional 11 students completed graduation requirements, but were not present for the ceremony. In all, 89 students received 26-credit Sisters High School diplomas and an additional 36 earned 22-credit State of Oregon diplomas.

The high school band got the evening underway with Handel's "No Shade So Rare" for the faculty processional, followed shortly by "Pomp and Circumstance," which prompted the seniors to march to their seats near the stage.

Following outgoing Associated Student Body President Chad Huff's welcome, a group of 20 senior musicians and singers performed the song "Thank You" by Dido.

All the graduates were then released into the audience to present a purple iris to their mothers or mother figures as a symbol of appreciation for a job well done.

Four student speakers shared parting remarks with their classmates.

Krista Gardinier, the salutatorian, spoke to her classmates about two important qualities a person should possess: attitude and hope.

"We cannot change our past or the fact that people will act in a certain way," she said. "We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string that we have, and that is our attitude."

Gardinier then handed the microphone over to her best friend, one of three valedictorians, Kirstyn Everson, who reminisced over the past 13 years and included a variety of personal memories.

"There are so many memories we will take with us as we walk down that aisle and out into the post-high school world, and I only wish that I had more time to share stories about all of you..."she said.

Ross Hayes gave a heartfelt thank you to his friends, coaches, and teachers and received some chuckles from the audience in the process.

"I learned a number of things," he said, "including that fact that Mrs. Dixon is always right. ALWAYS RIGHT. And if ever I thought otherwise, I have quickly found the fallacy of my thinking."

A quote from Henry Van Dyke started Danae Jacobson's speech as she said, "Be glad of life for it gives you a chance to work, to play, and to look at the stars."

She went on to describe her love of lying under the stars of the clear Central Oregon skies and compared people to the individual stars.

"Each of us has been given our own light and place to sparkle and shine in life," she said. The traditional senior video, which includes "before and after" photos of seniors, captured the shared thought of many that "it has gone by so fast."

Following the video, senior class president Sam Scharf, who was instrumental in the production of the senior video, presented the school with a mock-up of a sign that will welcome future visitors to Sisters High School.

High school principal Boyd Keyser then shared a few final words with the class, challenging them to "light up the world" before presenting the class of 2001 and getting diplomas handed out to the eager graduates.

As "Ayres of Agincourt" sounded from the band, member of the class of 2001 made their way outside to be greeted by family members and other well-wishers and to make steps toward the beginning of the adult world.