Brandi Gontang, Dayton HS valedictorian, receives an academic award on Thursday.
Students had a lot to do to get ready for Dayton High School’s graduation ceremony Thursday evening.
Ian Kirby, 18, dressed in a suit and tie, ran a lint brush over his maroon gown.
“I want to look nice,” he said. “I don’t want to be covered in dog and cat hairs.”
Christina Wiseman, 17, and her boyfriend Tyler Frehner, took selfies to post on social media.
“It’s the end of an era,” Frehner said. “It’s done.”
And soon photos may be the only thing the couple has as Frehner leaves for the U.S. Army.
“It’s sad, but it’s good,” Wismean said.
It was with some trepidation that Jackie Flores, 17, bid farewell to the Class of 2014 of 162 graduates.
“I’m definitely going to be sad,” she said. “Even though you don’t talk to all these people, you still grew up with them and you’re not going to see them anymore.”
Jose Jaimes, 18, said Dayton’s small-town atmosphere could be felt in the high school as well.
“We have a lot of school spirit,” he said. “Because we’re in a small community, we can get together.”
It could be felt most of all, said Jack Phillips, 18, at sporting events.
“It was just a rowdy place to be on Saturday and Tuesday nights,” said Phillips, who played football, basketball and baseball. “If you weren’t at a game, you missed out.”
Principal Tim Logan said students should cherish those memories, especially on their final day at high school.
“We appreciate the opportunity to share in your accomplishments with you,” Logan said.
Commencement speaker Julie Lozada Ocampo, Spanish teacher at Dayton High School, compared the graduating class to Nevada, celebrating its 150th birthday this year.
She drew a comparison to the state’s motto, “Battle Born,” honoring its history of becoming ratified during the Civil War.
“This class has picked its fair share of battles and emerged victorious,” Ocampo said. “You prevailed. You made it. You won this four-year battle. Your spirit pulled you through.”
And she gave the graduates some advice to add to all the other advice they will receive as they move forward.
“Listen to possibly wiser voices,” Ocampo said, “but ultimately live your life as you have dreamed.”