Always Living and Learning

Graduation Day is a watershed moment for students all across the world. Receiving a diploma is a moment graduates will never forget.

Last Friday night, May 20, Grants High School (GHS) held its commencement ceremonies for seniors who have spent the last four school years working towards this moment.

It marked the first time in three years that graduation took place inside the spacious, state of the art school gymnasium. Over the past two years, ceremonies were held outdoors due to the Covid pandemic.

Over the years at GHS, graduation night has attracted not just student families and friends, but citizens throughout Cibola County. It is a renowned special occasion that draws the locals together – and this commencement night was no different as 3,000 people packed the gorgeous athletic facility.

Ceremonies were set to begin at 6:00 p.m., but the gym was nearly packed by 5:15. An electric buzz of anticipation and excitement among those on hand spread throughout the arena.

In the hour leading up to the ceremonies, a highlight video presentation of GHS’s senior class and the school year now behind played on two separate screens at the back of the stage. Red roses and white lilies were on display atop a decorative white pedestal on both sides on the front of the stage.

Special dignitaries from the area and around New Mexico were seated on folding chairs on the floor level, just off to the side of where the graduates would soon enter and be seated. School board members, GHS administration, and school guidance counselors sat up on the stage.

The program began with a processional from the school band, set up and playing from the back of the gym. As they played, the graduates marched into the gym and found their seats – filling eight rows. Friends and family in the bleachers cheered heartedly, bringing smiles and waves from the entering students. The band continued to play, a wondrous backdrop of music to the emotional moment. They would, throughout the night, provide various fitting scores matching the occasion.

Next, the Posting of the Colors by the GHS Marine Corps Jr. ROTC, a foursome which, led by the verbal cadences of GHS junior Cameron Thompson, who held high a United States flag, marched onto the stage. The school band then played the National Anthem.

GHS Principal Lane Widner then welcomed the crowd and special dignitaries, including New Mexico State Representative Harry Garcia.

Next, Max Perez, Superintendent of Cibola County Schools, took the microphone.

“Your class of 2022 has spent 1-1/2 years dealing with virtual education due to the pandemic,” he said. “But that has made you stronger. Students, you kept your eyes on the prize and remained steadfast. You have become stronger and made us proud. Please continue to make us all proud by being kind every single day, and may God bless you. Congratulations!”

The top 10 academic students were then announced. The top student, Valedictorian Kolton Bratzel, spoke to the large audience.

“We made it! We all knew walking into Grants High School as freshmen that this day was coming.” Then, directing his words to classmates, he said, “I challenge you to always remember your time at Grants High School. Always do your best, don’t forget where you came from, take risks and don’t be afraid of making mistakes – and you’ll always be a winner.”

Then came the crowning moment of the night – the giving out of the diplomas to the 172 graduates. As each graduate was called, family and friends would cheer loudly. The graduates accepted their diplomas and had their pictures taken with Mr. Widner.

After the final graduates received their diplomas, the capacity crowd spontaneously broke into a huge, shrieking roar! It was simply a brilliant, never to be forgotten moment.

Elena Perez, Class Salutatorian and the No. 2 academic student, had these words for her peers: “I know it’s now time to rise and make this world our own. I know in my heart that no matter what happens, we will go on to do great things.”

Then, speaking to the entire audience, Elena said, “Never have I seen a town and community rise around a school as in Grants.”

Class President Tyler Everhart was the final speaker. “I am proud to be a Pirate, and I am proud of every one of you.”

It was then time for the traditional Tassel Ceremony, in which each graduate moves the tassel from the right side of their graduation caps to the left. At this point, there was more applause from the audience, whooping, hollering, and the flinging of caps into the air by the graduates, and colorful beach balls coming out of nowhere.