Dolores High School sent 53 graduates into a bigger world during an inspirational ceremony Saturday morning.
Whether that world is college, a job or the military, keynote speaker Brett Brunner said, there would be ups and downs, but that embracing hard work is the simple secret to a fulfilling life.
“The secret is that there is something inherently good, satisfying and enjoyable in working hard and learning something new,” said Brunner, a Dolores alumnus and first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.
Disappointment is inevitable, he said. There will be frustrations and jobs you don’t care about, and there will be moments of apathy.
“But what I’ve learned is the reality of this world is to work hard, no matter what the job is,” he said.
Co-valedictorian Teegan Hite looked back on the road to a diploma, from the fright of kindergarten and the drama of middle school to the mastery of algebra and celebration with friends at prom and homecoming.
“Now our diploma stands for our future,” Hite said. “It is the beginning of something new and paves the way for opportunity.”
She referenced Malcolm X, saying, “Education is the passport to the future. For tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
Thomas Edison’s words had a place in her speech too. “Opportunity is missed by many people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work,” she said.
Co-valedictorian and athlete Larissa Umberger used sports metaphors for lessons after high school.
“You have to learn to trust people, think of each person you meet as a teammate,” she said. “In order to reach a common goal, you have to believe in others that they will get the job done.”
And, like a team, life requires a variety of positions.
“Our differences are what make us successful,” Umberger said. “Everyone you meet is unique, so cherish the diversity in others.”
Honorary valedictorian Kerrington Higginbotham implored students to embrace change.
“If you don’t like your major, change it,” she said. “If you don’t like where you live, change the scenery. We have an exciting road in front of us.”
Enjoy the ride of life, said keynote speaker Brunner, and avoid the trap of working uninspired toward retirement.
“Don’t embark on a career and click off the years until retirement,” he said. “We are missing the boat if we view work as something to endure. There is a lot of hard work and fun to be had out there, so get after it.”
Later in the evening the 19th annual Operation Graduation took place at the Cortez Recreation Center. The all night event is chaperoned by adults and features activities, movies, pizza, games and prizes for graduates.
“It is a way to keep kids safe the night after graduation,” said organizer Jill Umberger. “This year 39 of 52 graduates attended and we gave out $9,000 worth of prizes and gift cards.”
Prizes included microwaves and computers for those heading off to college dormitories, a Go-Pro camera, dozens of gift cards, five bikes donated by Lizard Head Cyclery of Dolores, plus a lot more.
Jalen Balderrama, Olivia Benson-Hibbs, Kyle Biery, Tristen Boren, Avery Bullock, Casey Cable, James Cochrane, Molly Cumpton, Andrew Davis, Kayla Davis, Krystal Davis, Branden Donaldson, Sydney Giddings, Kody Gregory, Jaycee Halsey, Bailey Hamilton, Angelica Grace Heman, Kerrington Higginbotham, Teegan Hite, Daniel Jimenez, Selah Kabakoro, Katherine Kelly, Nichole Kibel, Haley Lee, Cayce Lockhart, Elizabeth Loschert, Ryan Lyons, Joshua-Ray McCoy, Kyerstin McNutt, Brianna Milligin, Thomas Nelligan, Shavargus Noyes, Brianna Nuss, Montel Pope, Molly Reynolds, Trevor Robinson, Dallys Runyon, Michael Sawyer, Autumn Seeber, Julia Sellers, Abigayle Strunce, Riley Syra, Rachelle Tulio, Larissa Umberger, Leslie Umberger, Sarah Vass, Aeiden Violette, Kitty Wallace, Andrea Wark, Austin West, Katie Williams, Festus Willis.
Operation Graduation contributors
A-B
Advanced Petroleum, A and L Coors, Autozone, Bandimere Speedway, Bane’s Custom Packing, Boren Photography/Storage, Breitenbach Chiropractic, Dr. Burnside
C
Charlies’ Barbershop, Choice Building Supply, Circle C RV, City Market, Coldstone Creamery, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Hunt Expeditions, Colorado Title and Closing Services, Corky’s Plumbing, Cortez Auto Repair, Cortez Elk’s Lodge, Cortez Dental, Cortez Family Dentistry, Cortez Quilt Co., Cortez Smiles
D
The Depot, Dolores Bears Booster Club, Dolores Firemen, Dolores Food Market, Dolores General Store, Dolores Liquors, Dolores Mountain Quilters, Dolores Rotary, Dolores School District, Dolores State Bank, Town of Dolores, Domino’s Pizza
E-F
Edward Jones (Mike McAndrews), Edward Jones (Audra Fahrion), El Burros, Empire Electric, Farmers Insurance, Flower Cottage, The Flying Pig, FB Organics, Four Corners Financial LLC, Four Corners Community Bank, Four Corners Welding and Gas Supply, Fun Center
G-L
GST Liquors Inc., Ginger Jar, Hair Headquarters, Havran’s Dry Cleaners, High Mesa Design, Holgates, IFA, Jarvis Insurance, Steve Keetch Motors, Mesa Verde Kiwanis Club, Kokopelli, Lizardhead Cyclery
M-Q
Matthews Walk-In Haircuts, McStone Aggregates, 12 Hours of Mesa Verde, Milligin Honey Farms, Montezuma County Injury Prevention Coalition, NAPA Auto Parts, Notah Dineh, Once Upon A Sandwich, Pinion Flats Camp Paintball, Pizza Hut, The Plumbing Store, Ponderosa Restaurant, Pony Expresso
R- S
Dolores Red Hats Club, RE/MAX – Mesa Verde Realty, Richard Clark Insurance, Riverfront Pizza, Rudosky Golf, Safeway, San Juan Coffee, Sears, Sew By So, Shooter’s World, Shiloh’s, Skyline, Slavens, Jason Smith DDS, Sophia Retreat/Bistro, Stone Fish, Stone Sand and Gravel, Superior Auto
T-Z
Terri’s Hair and Nails/Shelly Martin, Town and Country Furniture, Traditional Charm Antiques, Tuffy Security Products, Underwood Optical, Vibrant Pet, West Slope Property (Century 21), Wind River Timberframes
Individual donors
Thurl and Connie Boyd, Dr. Ben and Ashley Carelock, Jeanne Clark, Danny and Jennifer Donaldson, Sylvia McClellan, William Murdock, Dave and Gracia Hopcia, Johnathon Raymond, Winnie Reed, Joe Strunce, Tricia and Cody Umberger, Thomas and Marilyn Kay Volm
