Thirteen years of school – from kindergarten to senior year – came to fruition for the graduating Class of 2019 at Escalon High School on Friday night, May 31.
The seniors strolled in to Engel Field to the sounds of Pomp and Circumstance, were recognized for scholastic achievements, cheered their fellow classmates, listened to speeches and tossed their mortarboards into the night sky when the ceremony was done.
“It is an absolute honor to be standing in front of you,” said Senior Class President Sylvia Guevara. “Most of us have grown up with each since preschool. We have seen each other unfold from shy little freshmen to outgoing seniors.”
EHS senior choir students performed the National Anthem; Principal Eric Simoni also wished the class well while 22-year district employee Dana Boyd was presented with the Certified Employee of the Year award.
“I am humbled to work among the best,” said Boyd, who did her student teaching at Escalon High School and has worked at many grade levels over the years at Dent Elementary.
Assistant Principal Jason Furtado provided information on scholarships and student recognition and then Valedictorian Madisyn Widmer stepped up to the microphone.
“We cannot truly reach our full potential without failure,” Widmer told her classmates.
She also thanked her family “for loving me and pushing me to be the best version of myself.”
Her own personal struggles, Widmer admitted, included battling anorexia, at one point having to be hospitalized.
“I learned so much from it and I believe I am stronger for what I went through,” she explained. “We should all strive to be our best ... so we can reach our full potential. May we surround ourselves with others that will make us better people. Never be afraid of being you.”
The class and audience joined in the alma mater, performed by the Escalon High Band, diplomas were presented and after the tassels were turned, many students flung the caps skyward, then hugged classmates and posed for photos with family and friends.
Later, over 115 of the graduates gathered for the Sober Grad party, enjoying a full night of activities in a safe, sober environment. The all-night party included food, beverages, Henna tattoos, music, badminton, cornhole, a photo booth, massage, casino games and a variety of activities outside including laser tag, a rock climbing wall, mechanical bull and more.
