Any graduation ceremony is about reflections of past, present and future. Churchill County High School’s Class of 2013 heard a reminder of that Friday from educator Mitch Overlie during its commencement on a sizzling afternoon when temperatures rose into the upper 90s.
Overlie, an English teacher who also serves as head coach for the Greenwave wrestling and cross country programs, asked for one promise from the graduating seniors who gathered on the Edward Arciniega Athletic Complex football field.
“I really want to talk this evening about Y-O-U,” Overlie said. “I watched as many of you gave blood, sweat and tears to make this school and your class successful.”
Overlie went on to encourage the graduates to give themselves a round of applause.
“You really have made your mark on Churchill County High School,” he added. “Now it’s done. And I hope you will hold on to those memories. Cherish them and look back fondly. Just promise me one thing. Don’t live in the past. You owe it to your future.”
Principal Kevin Lords noted the class of 290 seniors collectively received about $528,000 in scholarships and awards.
The class featured six co-valedictorians: Hailey Bunker, Chelsie Schank, Rebecca Jamieson, Samantha Heck, Samantha Martin and MacKenzie Dahl. Bunker and Schank gave addresses as the two top-ranked co-valedictorians.
Lords then directed his comments about the entire graduating class.
“They have been accepted to colleges and universities throughout the United States, and some have joined the military and will be serving our country,” Lords said.
Lords also recognized students who were accepted in the Honors School, which requires students have taken a minimum of three Advanced Placement (AP) courses and a minimum 3.9 GPA and were approved by the Honor School committee. The list of 26 included Carson Allen, Molly Black, Trenton Cooper, Cady Cordes, Angela Crawford, Jordyn Crowley, Trever Detomasi, Cody Falconer, Courtney Gierke, Nau Gill, Rachel Hendrix, Amy Hesselgesser, Christina Hesselgesser, Haley Jorgensen, Shayna Jung, Ashley Kieszkowski, Kelsey LeBlanc, Sonia Lopez, Lani Martin, Cynthia Martinez, Chasity Martinez, Brandy Mejia, Hunter Mori, Katie O’Brien, Jade Parkerson, Spencer Robertson, Alexis Romero, Kendall Rutledge, Darcy Tedford, Dylan Tedford and Paul Vazquez.
Lords also recognized six students who finished with perfect attendance for all four years of high school: Nau Gill, Brian Koch, Alvin Mayes, Katie O’Brien, Dakota Reeves and Alexis Romero.
“I want to leave you with a few comments and points of counsel. First of all, remember that throughout your life you not only represent yourself. Please do not be selfish and be a positive representative of your family, community and a graduate of Churchill County High School,” Lords said. “A great man, Thomas S. Monson stated, ‘The past is behind us, learn from it; the future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it.’ Please understand that you are not the only one traveling through life, so lend a helping hand and as you do so along the road it helps you to be further along the road also.”
Overlie also encouraged the graduates to never stop dreaming.
“Dreaming, however, isn’t enough,” he told the graduates. “Everyone dreams. You have to work and sacrifice for your dream. You have to believe and place that dream on your heart. You must set goals. They pave the way for your dreams to become a reality.”