PROVO — Mountain View High School counted outgoing Alpine District Superintendent Steven C. Baugh among its graduates — as did American Fork High School earlier.
Mountain View also included a prayer in the commencement exercise — as did Timpview High School in the Provo School District Friday. Most of the other high schools in the county dispensed with an opening prayer, something that's become an issue in recent years.
Baugh, who's been an assistant principal at Mountain View, said nothing about the prayer but praised Mountain View for its unique climate. He described it as "a spirit of unity, friendship and caring for one another" than can be felt when one walks into the building.
"You are remarkable and incredible. I can feel it," he said before dispensing some advice to the graduates.
"Make good friends and hang onto them. Be a good friend and forget yourselves. Think of other people."
Todd Mack, one of the honor student speakers, said Mountain View students don't care about the song and dance but about the truth. He admonished his fellow graduates to remember the lessons learned at Mountain View: Hard work really does pay off, people have great power in their minds and life should be lived to the fullest.
"Life is tough, but you have nothing to fear. Talk to God and remember him," Mack said.
"We stand at a crossroads of infinite directions," said Sean Georgi, also an honor student speaker. "We are all off to great places."
Claire Romney, also an honor student, thanked the parents of the Class of 2000 for "raising us well." She thanked her fellow graduates for "protecting one another."
Nicholas Anderson, senior class president, explained the senior project, which includes paying for the painting of a large Bruin mural on the school commons wall and the donation of $4,000 to help prevent child abuse.
E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com