MCHS sends forth 197 graduates

MCHS sends forth 197 graduates

May 26, 2001

BRITTANY JOHNSON, president of the Class of 2001 addresses her fellow graduates at the MCHS commencement ceremony on Thursday.

by Aspen C. Emmett
Journal Staff Writer

Most high school graduating classes have one valedictorian and one salutatorian, but not Montezuma-Cortez High School. At Thursday’s graduation ceremony the audience heard from the seven valedictorians and 12 salutatorians of the 2001 graduating class.

"As someone once said, everyone has their 15 minutes of fame. We’ve divided it all up so when we’re through here, we’ll each have 14 minutes left," said one of the salutatorians.

The crowd was packed in shoulder to shoulder at Panther Stadium to see members of the class of 197 students cross the stage and receive their diplomas.

Moments of humor were mixed with moments of reflection as well as memories.

The valedictorians — Cole Allison, Sara Clark, Jason Greene, Brittany Johnson, Melinda Lee, Aaron Montaño and Jasmine Showers — took turns offering insight from their high school experience and projecting toward their future.

"I will focus on the things important to me ... I will take more risks ... I will stand up for what I believe in ... I will express myself more freely and clearly ... I will experience life more fully ... I will make better use of my time ... I will smile more at others around me."

Members of the senior class also took responsibility for performing all of the musical selections for the ceremony from the national anthem to the class song and a touching LeAnn Womack ballad, "I Hope You Dance."

Two graduates, Brandon Martinez and Sean Lavey, shared their talents on the electric guitar and received a standing ovation from some of their fellow grads for their rendition of the class song, Metallica’s "Nothing Else Matters."

Emotions ran high as two classmates remembered their cousin and friend, Betsy Martin, who would have graduated with them but died in a car accident less than a year ago. Remembering her "unique laugh," Traci Dinae said her cousin was there "in heart and mind." All class members wore blue ribbons on their robes in memory of Martin.

Several students and faculty were honored during the ceremony with various awards: The Byron Rowe Fighting Heart Trophy to Chris Garland; Eulalia Skinner Award to Denise Newlin; Panther Triumph Award to Derrick Adakai; KVFC Outstanding Boy Athlete Award to Cole Allison; Outstanding Girl Athlete Award to Emily Lanier; Wall of Fame to Brittany Johnson. MCHS secretary DeEtta Johnson was honored with the Dale Ann Ehlert Service Award.

The students finishing with the top 20 grade point averages were also acknowledged: Cole Allison, Sara Clark, Jason Greene, Brittany Johnson, Melinda Lee, Aaron Montaño, Jasmine Showers, Stacey Pottorff, Daniel Puls, Chris Hawkey, Brian Balfour, Kyle Bradley, Jennifer Price, Stephanie Lowrie, Krista Sheley, Cheré Todd, Rickie Yarbrough, Joseph Siracusan and Noah Leonard.

Salutatorians were Stacey Pottorff, Daniel Puls, Chris Hawkey, Brian Balfour, Kyle Bradley, Jennifer Price, Stephanie Lowrie, Krista Sheley, Cheré Todd, Noah Leonard, Rickie Yarbrough and Joseph Siracusan.