Events

Graduation May 30th 2008

Click on the composite photo to open a slideshow of the evening.

By Michael Kantman

The class motto at Prosser Falls High School is “Hope…Dream…Believe…Achieve…” The graduation ceremony of the class of 2008 this past Friday night at the Princess Theater celebrated a little bit of each of those things.

“It has been 12 years of work and for some it has been more,” said Prosser Falls High School Dean Dr. Synthia Parish-Duehn.

Parish-Duehn turned emotional as she looked at this year’s graduating class. The dean of Prosser’s alternative high school jokingly added the day she stops crying at occasions like this would be the day she should retire.

Parish-Duehn then introduced a very important person in the success of this year’s graduating class, Gene Hulse. One of Hulse’s duties at Prosser Falls was serving as WASL tutor to ensure the seniors would pass the state-mandated test to graduate.

Hulse shared a touching letter from one of this year’s graduating students about the journey he/she took to reach this particular moment.

“I decided school sucked,” Hulse read from the student’s letter. “I made the wrong choices.”

Hulse continued with the student’s thoughts, sharing how the graduate made the wrong choices about school, deciding to skip classes, go party, instead of concentrating on receiving an education.

“After the money you spend (on partying) you have nothing to show for it the next day,” Hulse continued to read.

The letter talked about how education is needed to be successful in life. Hulse shared the comments from the letter of how some people think a GED is enough to be successful in life.

Hulse continued reading from the letter and came across a point about a person’s family and how sometimes that can get result in a conflict for students.

“Don’t blame your failings on your family,” the letter read. “You can choose to get good grades. Think about things before you go out and do them. We all have a choice in what we do or say.”

Prosser School District Superintendent Dr. Ray Tolcacher took to the podium to address this year’s graduating class.

“You don’t really understand the magnitude of you being here tonight,” Tolcacher told the students. “It says a lot. You could have made excuses.”

Tolcacher reminded the students they should be proud of the obstacles they have overcome to graduate.

“There is not anything you can’t do in your life,” said Tolcacher. “You are phenomenal people. You have a great future ahead of you.”

“We are very proud of you,” added Prosser School Board President Dr. Warren Barmore.

Barmore said graduation is only the beginning of a life filled with new challenges.

“Each of you will need to be well prepared for the challenges (that lie) in front of you,” said Barmore. “Your lives will not always be easy. You must learn to face obstacles with a positive attitude. Do not hesitate to ask people for help.”

Parish-Duehn took the stage to wrap up the festivities for the night, sharing some insight into the class motto and how students can utilize it in their lives.

Parish-Duehn talked about how each student carries inside of them a dream of what they want to do with their lives. She talked about how believing and achieving are two instrumental parts in anyone’s success.

“Without belief we can achieve nothing. Belief will get you through the hardest times in your life,” said Parish-Duehn. “You can be anything you want to be. You will never be done achieving until the day you die. We will be standing by as you make your contributions to the world.”

Prosser Falls High School Class of 2008

Tabatha Boyle, Miguel Canales, Travis Eckelberger, Ashley Hobbick, Jordan Kelley, Rhiannon Lucas, Kristina Martinez, Tyler McCanch, Alyssa Perez, Benito Rivera, Tyler Trumble, Jesus Valencia, Miranda Wallace, PVT Russel Weeks and Jenifer Wilson.

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