Graduation Ceremonies Take Shape

by Tiffany Turner

As the month draws to a close, so do the high school careers of the graduating Classes of 2008.

Gowns are ordered, plans for next year are being finalized, families are heading into town and commencement rehearsals are underway. This year, 59 seniors will graduate from Pinedale High School on Friday,May 23, and 52 seniors will graduate from Big Piney High School on Tuesday, May 27.

Congratulations, graduates.

Big Piney High School

The Big Piney Senior Class will welcome guest speaker Denise Burke to their stage Tuesday night to share her insights about their futures and what she learned in her own experiences. Burke, assistant dean at the University of Wyoming’s College of Law, was once a teacher at Wheatland High School.

This year’s class motto is, “What you did in the past, though it might have made you the person you are today, has absolutely no bearing on what you do in the future.”

Senior Class Sponsor Jenna Banks helped with the planning and coordinating of the graduation ceremony and worked hand-in-hand with the senior class.

“I know they are more than ready to graduate and hopefully they have had a positive four years and will look back on their high school years with some good memories,” she said.

“I would want to wish them ‘good luck’ and maybe leave them with the following thought: ‘Each day you have the opportunity to change yourself and the world around you. Go out and make a difference.’”

Pinedale High School

Speaking to the Pinedale High School graduating seniors and an auditorium packed full with their families and friends Friday night will be Adam Crosson, swim and dive coach at Soka University.

He will address a group of students leaving high school with a long list of achievements and accomplishments.

“This year’s seniors were a wonderful group to work with,” said guidance counselor Michael Cothern. “I have known several of them since birth and have watched them grow and mature into responsible young adults. Our seniors will be attending college all over the United States. We wish them the best in their future endeavors.”

This year’s Senior Class motto is, “Any time you try to win everything, you must be willing to lose everything,” by Larry Csonka.

With 100 new freshmen expected in Pinedale classrooms this fall, there will be some changes when those returning to classes walk through the high school doors next fall.

Along with anadjusted schedule to deal with the influx of students, Cothern said faculty will offer a dual math track next year – Integrated Math program and conventional math Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II Pre-Calculus and Calculus.”