MATTAWA — For the 170 graduates of Wahluke High School and 11 graduates of Sentinel Tech, Friday’s graduation ceremony was full of callbacks to previous years, celebrations of achievements and the excitement of post-graduation plans.

“Seniors — what a journey these past four years have been,” Wahluke Principal Cody Marlow said during the ceremony. “Filled with many good, and some not-so-good memories; hardship, sadness, excitement, anticipation – plus a whole lot more. All of these have been valuable lessons that will help you in your next chapter.”

Class President Juan Herrera spoke on the memories students made during their years inside the halls of Wahluke High School, calling for students to contemplate their experiences as well as give credit to those who assisted them in reaching graduation.

“As we begin transitioning into the next chapter of our lives, let’s remember what we accomplished and the friends who supported us throughout the years,” Herrera said. “Reflect on your personal milestones, big and small. Reflect on the people that you met along the way, the friendships and the love. Reflect on the sacrifices that you made and the sacrifices that people made for you in order for you to make it on this stage.”

After Herrera spoke, Salutatorian Fernando Pazaran showed extensive gratitude to those that helped the Wahluke senior class reach their goals of graduation.

“First of all, I’d like to express my gratitude to all the mentors, teachers, parents, family and friends that have pushed us all to succeed and guide us all,” Pazaran said.

Richie Torres, one of Wahluke’s co-valedictorians, used his time on the stage to talk about how the years seemed to fly by during their time as Warriors, but to cherish the memories they made as they enter adulthood.

“Ultimately, here we are — the years went by, we learned valuable lessons, made great memories and have grown into who we are today as a result,” Torres said. “Some might say the years went by a little too fast. The flow of time is always cruel. It’s speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it. A thing that doesn’t change with time is memories of younger days.”

Co-Valedictorian Hayley Mendoza closed out her speech with a similar sentiment as her counterpart — hold onto the memories.

“I know we all have plans for life once we walk out these doors, but don’t forget to take a moment to just take it all in,” Mendoza said. “Appreciate it.”

Marlow listed many of the accomplishments this year’s senior class has been a part of; two recipients of the Gates Scholarship, three students attending Washington State University’s ROAR program, 10 students graduating with a two-year college degree, nine students enlisting in the military, Wahluke’s pep and jazz bands placing at competitions around the state and the boys basketball and boys soccer teams winning regular season league titles in 2023.

“That’s just a little slice of what happened this year,” he said.

As students one-by-one took to the stage to receive their diplomas, some celebrated with cheerful waves to the crowd, big smiles, fist-pumps in the air – even a backflip off the stage by the newly-graduated Anthony Zebrano, which received a large cheer from the crowd inside the Wahluke High School Gymnasium.

Upon the ceremony’s completion, the new Warrior alumni piled into pick-up trucks, SUVs, a semi-truck, on top of horses and even a backhoe for a parade down the streets of Mattawa, where spectators gathered and drivers blared their horns to honor the graduates.

“Once a Warrior, always a Warrior,” Marlow said.

Ian Bivona can be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.