Columbia Basin Secondary School graduation a time to reminisce and hope

The Columbia Basin Secondary School, formerly the Columbia Basin Alternative School, had its most important night of the year as 22 new students graduated from the class of 2004.

With proud parents, siblings, children, and friends watching from the seats of Wallenstien Theatre, the students paraded in their maroon gowns and caps, some smiling, some crying, but all excited to be there after four long years of work and memories.

After the words by inspirational speaker and CBSS alum Tristan Oliver, two of the graduates, Jennifer Danals and Dalia Chavez delivered the senior address, telling the students that their presence was "a present to the world."

Following the students' words, $3,300 in scholarships were presented to students with outstanding academic performance. Then, with a slide show eliciting enthusiastic responses from the crowd and with superintendent of Moses Lake Schools Steve Chestnut presenting the Class of 2004, the teachers introduced each and every one of the graduates to the crowd.

"Without (these students) I would not be here today, " said James Shank, one of the teachers.

After the ceremony, Chestnut congratulated the students on an achievement he said "makes me feel good."

Chestnut noted the vision of these students, as many of them spoke of their academic future. "They all talked about what they are going to do next," he said.

The superintendent compared the group that watched these 22 graduates to the group that will watch the more than 300 students that will receive their diplomas tonight at Moses Lake High School.

"(CBSS) is like a small family," he said. "The teachers know these kids for four years instead of just one or two. That is a big difference. They get to know the kids well and viceversa. That is one of the strengths of the school," he added.

Chestnut said that the students that graduate from the CBSS have as much to be proud of as the students who will graduate from MLHS this year.

"It's a different program, but it's a great accomplishment," he said "I am just proud of them."