Independence High School
PROVO — The commencement ceremony of Independence High School was full of grateful tears and happy faces as 31 graduating seniors marked the end of their high school educations.
District board member Richard Sheffield told graduates to seek out chances to learn all their lives and gave them two suggestions on how to do so.
"First, you see what you can be and what you can do and then you set out to do it," he said during his speech. "You get a picture, a vision of what you can be. Second, you enjoy. When you enjoy what you are learning, you pick out things as you're learning them and you end up pursuing your passions."
He also read quotes from students telling about their experiences at Independence High.
"I came here, and it was really hard at first," he read, quoting one senior. "But I decided that I came here for a reason. My goal was to graduate."
The Lions received their diplomas at Independence High School May 25.
High School: Independence
Address: 636 N. Independence Ave., Provo
Number of graduates: 31
Principal's comment: "I've never had seniors be so respectful and quiet and attentive, and that makes me feel like they are going to be a very successful class." — Sarah B. Lloyd
Scholarship total: About $12,000
Landmark High School
SPANISH FORK — Dragons are mythical, magical creatures. They are self-healing, overcome adversity, are constantly changing, and more importantly, they are more than what they seem.
This year's graduating dragons of Landmark High School were urged to be like their fiery mascot during commencement ceremonies held May 23 at Spanish Fork High School.
"Dragons have been misunderstood as we have also been misunderstood," said senior Tashina Shepherd. "The destiny of a dragon could be anything you want it to be. Set your goals high and you can achieve anything."
Principal Joe Kelly joined in with the hoots and hollers as he presented the class. Holding his hands high above his head, he shouted from the podium, "You are now proud graduates of Landmark High!"
The class is the largest to graduate from the school.
Address: 320 S. Main, Spanish Fork
Number of graduates: 100
Class motto: "Destiny of a dragon"
Principal's comment: "This has been a great class of leaders, and those leaders have helped the other kids along through the year." — Joe Kelly
Scholarship total: about $6,000
Payson High School
OREM — Following your dreams was the message at Payson High School's commencement ceremony May 23.
Graduates were urged to listen to their hearts and follow the paths that will lead them to their personal goals rather than trudge through life's ordinary routine.
"Einstein and Beethoven were only great because they were doing something they loved," high honors graduate Thane Kennedy told his classmates during the ceremony. "Music wasn't Einstein's thing, but science was, and the world will never be the same because of it."
Valedictorians Camille Rowley and Catherine Hales and Principal John W. Penrod also spoke.
Other Lion valedictorians are Troy Christiansen, Tyler Christiansen, Whitney Ekins, Jamie Nelson, Laura Rowley and Rachel Sonderegger.
Sterling scholars were Camille Rowley, trade and technical education; Joshua Stevenson, computer technology; Ryne Steinacker, English; Veronica Scheilder, social science; Elizabeth Vance, music; Savannah Malan, foreign language; Caroline Clinger, science; Joshua Gibson, business and marketing education; Kristal Keele, speech and drama; Nickolas Callor, mathematics; Catherine Hales, family and consumer sciences; Whitney Ekins, visual arts; and Rachel Sonderegger, dance.
High School: Payson
Address: 1050 S. Main St., Payson
Number of graduates: 454
Class motto: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Principal's comment: "This year's senior group has been remarkable in that at the beginning of every assembly or anything they've had, they wanted to start by singing the national anthem. I think that's really remarkable that that's coming from them. It's something special with this group." — John Penrod
Scholarship total: $523,000
Provo High School
OREM — The senior class of Provo High School walked across the podium with their heads held high and received their diplomas May 26 at the McKay Events Center in Orem.
The class, whose senior theme was "PHS Revolution," was urged by speakers to continue making its mark on the world.
"We've been learning how to be a revolutionary class, a class that will really change things," said student body president Taylor Orton. "A senior class united cannot be stopped. We have done much good in the world and still will."
Seniors Christina Coles, Mark Kelemen, Kelliann Houston, Richard Winston Larson, Principal Samuel L. Ray and Board of Education member Mary Ann Christiansen also spoke.
High School: Provo
Address: 1125 N. University Ave., Provo
Number of graduates: 260
Class motto: "The heights by great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept were toiling upward in the night." — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Principal's comment: "The class of 2006 is a class with class. They've been amazing all year. They have very mature behavior and are dignified and respected throughout the state for how they handle themselves. They've accomplished great things through their efforts." — Samuel Ray
Scholarship total: $949,362
Spanish Fork High School
OREM — On the hundred-year anniversary of the first-ever Spanish Fork High School graduation, the Mighty Dons senior class of 2006 put on caps and gowns and walked across the stage to receive diplomas at its own commencement ceremony.
Senior class president Saia Naulu referenced the anniversary, then told his classmates it was their chance now.
"It's our turn," he said. "It's time to move on, time to grow up, act a little more mature and be more responsible. This journey that we started is still open-ended. The rest is up to you guys. Do something amazing with it. Live it. Love it."
Valedictorian Steven Nay, salutatorian Tyler Olsen, Principal L. David McKee, and Debbie Swenson, a member of the Nebo School District Board of Education, also spoke.
Sterling scholars were David Mathis, art; Steven Nay, computer technology; Thomas Soffe, business; Megan Brockbank, dance; Michael Carter, social studies; Tyler Olsen, math; Whitney Anderson, drama; Kaylee Liddiard, family science; Mikel Anderson, foreign language; Trevor Pugh, science; Trieste Bills, English; and Monica Stamm, music.
High School: Spanish Fork
Address: 99 N. 300 West, Spanish Fork
Number of graduates: 560
Class motto: "This journey open-ended"
Principal's comment: "With this class we made a very concerted effort in regards to sportsmanship. Their response to our challenge to treat others well, even if it's in the heat of battle, was very good. We felt good about our relationships here amongst ourselves and with our relationships with other schools." — Darrel Rolfe, assistant principal
Scholarship total: Over $700,000
Springville High School
OREM — "Explore. Dream. Discover" was the unifying theme of the 2006 commencement exercises for Springville High, held at UVSC's McKay Events Center Tuesday evening.
The south Utah County high school graduated 413 seniors at the ceremony, with more than one-fourth graduating with honors.
Valedictorian Danielle Dearden and salutatorian Nolan Pope addressed the audience. Pope said he wished to thank the many administrators, teachers and parents that sacrificed so much time and effort on behalf of the class.
Dearden referred to the graduation theme. "The plot is thickening, the climax has not yet been reached and the happy ending is not yet in sight. On the other side of this chapter of our lives there is much to be discovered," he said.
Principal Ann Anderson said she wished the graduates luck as they enter the next threshold in their lives.
Anderson presented the class, and Dean Rowley of the Board of Education addressed the graduates and presented them with their diplomas.
High School: Springville
Address: 1205 E. 900 South, Springville
Number of graduates: 388
Class motto: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." — Mark Twain
Principal's comment: "They are strong in concurrent enrollment and college kinds of things, and we have several going on to play ball. I would say that they're well rounded both academically and athletically." — Ann S. Anderson
Scholarship total: $858,028
Timpview High School
OREM — Over 400 seniors from Timpview High School donned caps and gowns May 25 and received their diplomas.
The graduates were told to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.
"Today is a day of happiness — a day many of us become independent and take what life has to offer," salutatorian Qiang Liu told his classmates. "Yesterday we sat in a small classroom and were taught the things that will change who we become. Tomorrow we will spread all over this world."
Valedictorian Yu Jon Hu told graduates to live with feeling.
"If we keep our passions alive, we will be well on our way to living a happy and fulfilling life," he said.
High School: Timpview
Address: 3570 N. 650 East, Provo
Number of graduates: 415
Class motto: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Principal's comment: "The class of 2006 at Timpview was a class of kids that really loved each other, really supported each other. They succeeded because of their unity, rather than because of one individual star. They are great kids and are unified and care about each other." — Dr. George W. Belays
Scholarship total: $530,028