The Class of 2016 listens to one of the valedictorians.
The smiles, laughter, tears and hugs characterize graduations, especially those as important as when students receive their diplomas from high school and college.
More than 200 students said their goodbyes to Churchill County High School Friday night during the annual commencement exercises at the Edward Arciniega Athletic Complex as did four staff members who are also retiring.
Graduation speaker Trevin Goodrick, a deputy with the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office who volunteers his time helping the track team with its distance events, brought his youth but his experiences of the world with him to the podium.
“Tonight we are going to have a little heart-to–heart, “Goodrick said. “I’m still young. I was still in high school not too long ago and have a lot in common with you. I know a quite a few of you on a personal level.”
Goodrick said he wanted to speak just to the graduates because the night was about them as he lauded them for their achievements for the way the Class of 2016 energized Fallon with both a state title in football and wrestling.
“I remember listening to the football games on the radio. At the end of the game, I don’t know who was more excited ... the Greenwave state champion football team or those of us back home scrambling to fill police cars, fire trucks and ambulances with anyone we could find so that we could escort you home with lights and sirens,” he recalled about that Saturday night in late November.
“That is what I love about this community. You won’t see that in the big cities. And how about February 21. We got to do it again for the Greenwave state champion wrestling. But it wasn’t just this year. Many of you seniors were on those state championship teams in baseball and softball in recent years.”
Goodrick said winning a championship consisted of more than the game on the field. He said the show of support from parents, friends, neighbors and the community all contributed to the Greenwave nation.
“I have to tell you it was powerful to see the sheer numbers in which we lined the streets to bring you home, Goodrick said. “It was so loud I couldn’t even hear what siren I was using. Seriously though, I don’t think you understand how incredibly proud this community is of your accomplishments.”
Goodrick’s praise for Fallon’s support also encompassed the academic achievements earned by the students.
“There is the academic team winning major competitions, or the archery team winning the state championship. There is so much going on here with FFA, National Honor Society ... the list goes on,” he cited. “And I know what some of you are thinking… ‘Oh the academic team.’”
Goodrick encouraged students to follow their dreams and whatever they do, he told them never to stop learning or achieving. Although many students achieved state titles and accolades during their senior year and during their entire high-school career, he told them to keep looking forward.
“Some of us didn’t peak in high school. It was just a place we visited for four years on our path to greater things,” he said. “So, wherever you go, whatever you do, whoever you become, take the tools you learned here and apply them. Use them to keep moving forward, keep striving for greatness and take chances.”
After high school, Goodrick never stopped believing. As a student at Spokane (Wash.) Community College, Goodrick became a conference champion in the 3000-meter steeplechase and after he graduated from the State of Nevada POST Academy, he continued his track career by winning distance events in the United States Police and Fire Championships in four events, and in February, Goodrick won the 8-kilometer skate race in cross country skiing at the World Police and Fire Winter Olympics.
Co-valedictorians Yaowei Deng and Jordyn Rogers also offered encouragement to their classmates.
Deng, who will attend the University of Washington in the fall, chided negativity.
“Two years ago, when we suffered that defeat against Faith Lutheran in the state football game, I heard someone … say that it was the closest that we were going to get to a football state title for a long while. And due to my naïvety, I believed him,” Deng said. “Fast forward two years, and we were the football state champions. I think the main takeaway from this story is probably that the guy was misinformed and/or pessimistic but the takeaway I would like you all to have is that even though there are people who doubt you, you have to ignore them and have enough confidence in your abilities to achieve what you want. So basically, don’t listen to the haters.”
Rogers, who is Boise State University bound in the fall, told her classmates not to be afraid to try new things, and it’s acceptable to make mistakes.
“Mistakes are our personal teachers, character builders, and mentors,” she explained. “Mistakes are proof that we’re trying, and what we do about the situation says more about ourselves than the mistake that was made. In the next year of our lives, as we transition to adulthood, we will experience so many changes at once that crawling back into our comfort zone will be more tempting than ever.”
Rogers encouraged her classmates to step out of their comfort zone and to do something they have always wanted to undertake.
“Don’t let the looming fear of mistakes hesitate you from following any of the aspirations you may have,” she added.
In addition to Deng and Rogers, the other valedictorians in rank order included Sierra Bivens, Rebecca Mills, Michelle Theiranos, Taylen Cordes, Kenneth Bailey, Andrew Hagemann, Alicia Baze, Will Bliss, Danielle Brown, Sean Cordes, Marco Guerrero, Addyson Harmon, Kyle Larsen, Gracie Lawson, Macy Myers, Madison Perazzo, Connor Richardson, Eric Sorensen, Cheyenne Sweeney and Vivianne Ugalde.
Student body president, Nichole Mariezcurrena; vice president, Hannah Isbister; secretary, Kaeli Johnson; treasurer, Yaowei Deng.
Senior Class president, Jordyn Rogers; vice president, Tristen Thomas; secretary, Megan McCormick; treasurer, Sierra Bivens.