Hard work pays off for 2023 Jacks

CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 9 months AGO

The Quincy High School class of 2023 brings down the curtain on high school by changing the tassel at the end of graduation ceremonies June 10.
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald

The class of 2023 celebrates their achievement with the traditional toss of graduation caps into the air at Quincy High School June 10.

A Quincy graduate receives his diploma from Quincy School Board member Chris Baumgartner, left.

A graduating Quincy High School senior gets a handshake from Quincy Superintendent Nik Bergman, right.

Quincy seniors await the rest of the class of 2023 during graduation ceremonies.

Quincy High School graduates commemorate the moment with selfies.

Quincy seniors wave to their families and friends as they enter the stadium.

Quincy High School graduates are congratulated by a teacher following the ceremony.

The Quincy High School class of 2023 walks to the stadium prior to graduation June 10.

A brand-new Quincy graduate is congratulated by administrators.

The Quincy High School Spectrum Choir performs during graduation ceremonies June 10.

QUINCY — Brand-new Quincy High School graduate Xavier Tagle said there was a lesson in the ceremony on June 10.

“All those years, all that work, and it pays off,” he said. “It feels great (to graduate). I can’t wait for the future.”

Tagle said his goal is to work in the tech field, starting with a couple of years at a community college.

Mya Nguyen echoed Tagle’s sentiments about the pleasure of seeing work pay off.

“I’m very grateful,” she said. “It’s very rewarding for all the hard work I’ve put in,” she said, adding that she plans to become a nurse.

Graduation always attracts a big crowd, and the class of 2023 filled the Quincy High School stadium bleachers, overflowed onto the track and ended up with standing room only.

Co-valedictorian Hailey Beegle said graduation was about change, embracing it and adapting to it. She used an example from her own life, saying she had moved to Quincy midway through high school, and it was a tough adjustment. She let her unhappiness determine her attitude, she said.

“I present you with my first word of advice — you have to embrace change to become whole again,” she said.

She found her place at Quincy in the choral program, she said.

“I was never treated as an outsider. I was welcomed with open arms,” she said.

From her experience she learned to take chances and be open to other people, she said, and accept help when it was offered.

“Don’t be afraid of change. It is an inevitable part of life, just as the course of your life is unpredictable,” she said. “I’ve learned that embracing the change can lead to the best experiences in life.”

Co-valedictorian Fabiola Hernandez Mendoza said her family’s support helped her navigate the sometimes-challenging years of school.

“It was difficult for me to go through these experiences feeling unrecognized, but there’s nothing more rewarding than being in this position and seeing my family watching me as I give this speech,” she said.

She expressed gratitude to her parents, her sister and the rest of her family for their help and emphasis on education, her friends, her teachers and the district staff.

“It still feels unreal to be here in this position,” she said, “but it is important that we are able to celebrate our accomplishments. This is only one of many for everyone in this class. I”m so excited to see what the future holds for all of us.”

After the ceremony, Alejandro Mendoza used a common metaphor when he looked back on 13 years in school.

“It feels like a journey,” he said.

He was standing with a group of his friends, all of whom plan to work in the skilled trades.

His friend Eduardo Diaz said it felt good to look back, look at all the work he and his friends had done and see the payoff.

“Memories made, accomplishments, the work we did, wishing for this moment,” said Jorge Nunez.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at [email protected].