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Benson seniors conclude their high school careers
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| Party time: Garth Floch, left, and Brianna Clark celebrate after Principal Bryan Bullington officially releases them from high school. There were about 70 students in the Benson class. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
The Benson School District graduated about 100 students last week in ceremonies held by Benson High School and San Pedro Valley High School.
Benson High School had about 70 seniors receive high school diplomas Thursday night. San Pedro Valley High School (SPVHS) had about 22 students graduate last Tuesday night.
SPVHS is an alternative school offered to students. School Principal Angela Carreira said the 22 graduates formed the school's largest class to date.
Carreira explained that for the students of the charter school, it's not always easy. They all have special circumstances to overcome to finish high school.
Giving some examples, Carreira said one of the night's graduates had a baby last year, but still worked hard enough to finish school a year early. Another student had not attended classes in three years, but came back to finish.
Some students were rewarded for their hard work. Bob Lujan, of the Benson Rotary Club, gave Steven Nastasio Jr. a $500 scholarship, and Brad Cherry, of the Arizona Rangers, presented Ashton Hancox-Estrada a $500 scholarship.
Other students were also honored for attendance, improving their attitudes and working hard to make the honor roll.
The guest speaker of the evening was Channel 13's Scott Kilbury. The Benson High School graduate told the students that they will never stop learning.
About 275 people attended the SPVHS graduation held at the Cochise College Benson Center.
Jade Ruiz was one of the student speakers for the night, reading an essay on perseverance. The senior said life is tough, but you have to pick yourself up after you have fallen.
"I'm not a weak person, and I know how to get to where I want to go," she said.
Derrick Fenn opened the Benson High School ceremony, offering tribute to longtime Benson math teacher Bob Richards. Richards will be retiring after this year.
Senior class president Brook Boegemann compared life to the sport of volleyball in a short address to her fellow classmates. Volleyball is like life, she said, and everyone has their positions and duties in life just like they do on the court.
Salutatorian Victoria Obergh said she will always remember her high school years, thanking her friends and teachers for sticking by her.
"After tonight, Class of 2009, the future is in our hands," she said. "Confidence is the key to success."
In the valedictorian address, Jessica Edmiston said after graduation the Class of 2009 will be going their separate ways, but she had one request for her departing classmates.
"Be true to yourselves," she said. "I wholeheartedly believe we are ready to take on the real world and its challenges."
Following Edmiston's words of encouragement, the senior class received their diplomas.
The Benson School District graduated about 100 students last week in ceremonies held by Benson High School and San Pedro Valley High School.
Benson High School had about 70 seniors receive high school diplomas Thursday night. San Pedro Valley High School (SPVHS) had about 22 students graduate last Tuesday night.
SPVHS is an alternative school offered to students. School Principal Angela Carreira said the 22 graduates formed the school's largest class to date.
Carreira explained that for the students of the charter school, it's not always easy. They all have special circumstances to overcome to finish high school.
Giving some examples, Carreira said one of the night's graduates had a baby last year, but still worked hard enough to finish school a year early. Another student had not attended classes in three years, but came back to finish.
Some students were rewarded for their hard work. Bob Lujan, of the Benson Rotary Club, gave Steven Nastasio Jr. a $500 scholarship, and Brad Cherry, of the Arizona Rangers, presented Ashton Hancox-Estrada a $500 scholarship.
Other students were also honored for attendance, improving their attitudes and working hard to make the honor roll.
The guest speaker of the evening was Channel 13's Scott Kilbury. The Benson High School graduate told the students that they will never stop learning.
About 275 people attended the SPVHS graduation held at the Cochise College Benson Center.
Jade Ruiz was one of the student speakers for the night, reading an essay on perseverance. The senior said life is tough, but you have to pick yourself up after you have fallen.
"I'm not a weak person, and I know how to get to where I want to go," she said.
Derrick Fenn opened the Benson High School ceremony, offering tribute to longtime Benson math teacher Bob Richards. Richards will be retiring after this year.
Senior class president Brook Boegemann compared life to the sport of volleyball in a short address to her fellow classmates. Volleyball is like life, she said, and everyone has their positions and duties in life just like they do on the court.
Salutatorian Victoria Obergh said she will always remember her high school years, thanking her friends and teachers for sticking by her.
"After tonight, Class of 2009, the future is in our hands," she said. "Confidence is the key to success."
In the valedictorian address, Jessica Edmiston said after graduation the Class of 2009 will be going their separate ways, but she had one request for her departing classmates.
"Be true to yourselves," she said. "I wholeheartedly believe we are ready to take on the real world and its challenges."
Following Edmiston's words of encouragement, the senior class received their diplomas.
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