Sandi Hoover Nevada AppealKatelyn Defebaugh, 17, helps Virginia City High School salutatorian Mara Chapman, 16, adjust her cap.
Virginia City High School Principal Patrick Beckwith told graduates Saturday that their graduation signaled the "transition from teenager to adult" and urged them to remember that "success is a process."
Thirty-five students received diplomas during the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2010.
Others who spoke gave advice to the graduates.
School board trustee Deny Dotson encouraged the group to "use what you've learned to give a little bit back," and trustee Colleen Conley welcomed them as adults. Tom Peevers, a bus driver selected by the Class of 2010 to be the keynote speaker, told the group to "trust your instincts" and "do the right thing, and more often than not, you'll do well."
Excitement was running high Saturday morning as students gathered in a side room to prepare for the graduation procession into the gymnasium.
Ruben Torrez, 18, said he had only been a VCHS student for one semester.
"All this trouble to go to a new school just for a piece of paper," he said, laughing.
Torrez said he plans to go to the University of Nevada, Reno to study biochemistry, then transfer to Oregon State University for a pharmacy degree.
"I'll keep my fingers crossed, but Virginia City High School rocks," he said.
Cassie Arnold, 17, had nothing but good things to say about the past four years.
"The people here are really great. They're willing to help you with whatever you need," she said.
Arnold plans to go to Truckee Meadows Community College, then transfer to UNR to become a veterinarian.
"To finally get through high school is very rewarding," she said. "It's an indescribable feeling."
Seventeen-year-old Kaitlin Van Voorst said she was very relieved to be graduating and was excited to get going with her life.
"It has been challenging finding a balance between extra-curricular activities and school work," she said.
Van Voorst's plans include going to New York for the summer to work at a summer camp in the Adirondacks, then returning to attend UNR where she wants to major in nursing.
Connor Glynn, 18, said his biggest challenge in high school was math class.
"Math just isn't my forte," he said.
He plans to attend TMCC where he hopes to become a veterinary technician.
Victoria Koontz, 18, said her biggest challenge was her history class with Mr. Shropshire.
"I enjoy his classes a lot, but they're a pain in the butt," she said.
Koontz also plans to attend TMCC for its culinary arts program in its renovated kitchen.
"I'm going to have a blast," she said.
As final words of inspiration during the graduation ceremony, salutatorian Mara Chapman urged her classmates to "take the world by storm" and "trust your instincts."
Valedictorian Alexandra Sullivan thanked all the VCHS teachers.
"They gave us a sense of self, a sense of humor and sensibility," she said.