Class of '09: Seasons of change reflected at commencement

A new season began Friday for 266 Granite Hills High graduates at Jacob Rankin Stadium.

A gray sky hung overhead, but a sense of joy radiated from the shouting people in the stands, as well as the graduating seniors, while they walked the line and soaked in the last moments of high school.

“This feels surreal,” Nate Elderman said.

“I’m nervous," Isaac Sierra said. “It hasn’t hit me yet.”

Next to him in line was Manuel Sierra, who said “it” hit him the night before.

“I’m excited, extremely excited,” he said Friday. “We’re done. I’m going to do my happy dance.”

He did a small dance and said he plans on either attending Porterville College or joining the Marine Corps next.

Steven Boucheroune sported an appearance representative of the four years he was gaining closure with that night. He donned several medals that he won for journalism and band, four California Scholastic Federation seal bearer pins and a gold rope worn by those who received a 3.5 GPA or above for five semesters.

“I feel awesome,” he said while standing in line, waiting to begin the procession. “I’m having a great day so far. I can’t wait to get started.”

Britney Cemo, who said she plans on attending California State University, Fresno, said she had mixed emptions.

“I’m sad, but I’m also excited at the same time,” she said. “It’s going to be different going somewhere so new.”

The four valedictorians — Ebony Bailey, Jennifer Davis, Karen Harriger and Caryn Hernandez — gave speeches during the ceremony, reflective of the night’s theme: “A New Season Awaits.” Each represented a season — winter, fall, summer and spring, respectively — and spoke about the “seasons of change” at Granite Hills.

“[The seasons] represent our years here, at Granite,” Bailey said. She spoke about “blizzards of homework” and being “snowed in by extra curriculars” to match her winter theme.

Harriger compared graduating to a sun rising.

“We should just realize that the time here at Granite may be ending, but the day is beginning of our new season,” she said, referring to her speech, beforehand. “We need to just seize the future and use it to its fullest.”

Principal Veryl Ann Duncan expressed a sense of pride in those moving on.

“I’m happy. I’m so proud of them. These people that you get so close to, you’re going to miss them,” she said. “I just wish them the best.

Granite Hills is a better place because they have gone to school here. They have made a positive impact on Granite Hills High School, and they will be missed.”