CHS Class of 2019 graduates 24
The Chester Jr. Sr. High School Class of 2019 were prepared to receive their diplomas before a crowd of parents and supporters in the school’s sports field on a late spring evening June 14.
During the traditional procession, 24 seniors dressed in green or white graduation gowns, individually decorated caps and dangling tassels filed down the center aisle along with teachers and school administrators to take their seats, basking under mostly sunny skies as hundreds of attendees happily watched.
Dedication ceremony
A special dedication was presented by Faith Clarke, who said this year’s graduation ceremony was dedicated in recognition of the school’s beloved English and drama studies teacher, Celeste Higby, saying she was, “An amazing teacher, who has helped not only us but many past graduates throughout our high school careers,” always going “above and beyond” to help advance the students’ studies.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian honored
Chester High Principal Terry Hernandez introduced Valedictorian Ashlyn Olah and Salutatorian Chloe Monday, recognizing them for their academic excellence.
Next he invited Olah to give a speech to the student body and audience members.
Olah began by saying that she’d like to thank everybody who has had any type of positive impact on the Class of 2019. “’It is greatly appreciated,” she said.
Continuing, she remarked that, “I’ve been told more times than I can count that I will not be able to accomplish my dreams and goals because I’ve grown up in the sheltered little town of Chester — that we do not have much cultural diversity or the advantage of having a plethora of classes, and therefore I am at a disadvantage.
“These formidable opinions are not made by, but more by the people who don’t understand the dynamic nature of Chester. … We are not limited to less than our dreams because we are from a small town.”
Olah mentioned numerous organizations and businesses in Chester that have provided “indefatigable support” to the students, including scholarships that have uplifted many in ways that they may realize they can reach for their dreams no matter where they may have grown up.
“Not very many people have the opportunity to build the kind of relationships with teachers to make our experiences in the classroom more personal and comfortable” or “gets everlasting support from the community,” the way they do, she insisted.
“Class of 2019, if there’s one thing we should take away with us from this town” and all the experiences we’ve had living here, is that Chester is unique.”
Olah said never to let anyone tell them that they cannot succeed. “Prove people wrong and create your own path,” she said.
And finally she said, “Here’s my message to you: Dream without limitations … Live the life you dream of and make them happen.”
Honor awards
In addition to Valedictorian and Salutatorian honors, Hernandez noted that the PUSD now recognized academic excellence for students earning high academic grades throughout their high school experience at Chester High.
Honor Awards are based on a tiered system in the subjects of English, science, math, social studies and world language, he said, from Bronze (3.7-3.89 GPA), to Silver (3.9-4.09 GPA), and Gold (4.1 GPA and above) categories.
Hernandez named several students who stood up to receive their certificates, displaying different twisted colored cords with tassels on either end that hung around the students’ necks, indicating which award they had earned for high academic achievement.
The Honor Awards were given to Faith Clarke, Jimmy Heng, Rosalie Houser, Chloe Monday and Ashlyn Olah.
Senior speech
Zoe Utterback gave this year’s senior speech, saying, “How quickly things change, and I am reminded how fleeting these years have been. … I admit it took a lot of thinking and brainstorming reminiscing on these years with my classmates to come up with a theme.
“I was reflecting on the gifts that each student possesses and how well everyone meshes together … like a big family with lots of kids, each distinctive in their qualities that are all able to work together as a perfectly functioning unit.”
Utterback named a number of her fellow students and how they all worked in unison as a team, whether it was the school athletes during a game, in the planning of fundraisers, after school events or as individuals in leadership roles and in their academic and artistic endeavors.
“There isn’t anything they couldn’t handle. Their determination and drive for success will surely lead them to greatness. No task is too big for them to accomplish,” adding that school was always a place of exciting discovery.
“I think I can speak for all of us when I say this class has always had something special from the get-go.”
Presentation of Flowers
Markie Willhoit, accompanied by Kaela Wiseman, gave a short speech on the topic of flowers, saying that, “It is scientifically proven that flowers improve emotional health … by releasing multiple chemicals within our brain to instantly make us happy. So tonight, allow us graduates to show our appreciation with the gift of flowers.”
The seniors left the stage and presented bouquets of flowers as a thank you for the loving concern shown to them by their parents and loved ones while “Time of Your Life” by the band Green Day played in the background.
Acceptance of Class
For the Acceptance of Class presentation, Principal Hernandez provided official witness to PUSD Assistant Superintendent Kristy Warren, saying, “I hereby declare that these senior class members before us have met the graduation requirements of the State of California and the Plumas Unified School District” and is authorized to receive diplomas of graduation from Chester High School.
Warren responded, “As a representative of the Plumas Unified School District, I gladly accept the graduating Class of 2019. You may commence with the distribution of diplomas,” at which point Board of Trustees member Traci Holt, Hernandez and instructor Paul Hardig awarded the diplomas, calling each graduate by name one by one as they stepped forward beaming proudly.
Exhibiting a show of youthful exuberance, the graduating Class of 2019 engaged in the time-honored tradition of tossing their caps high into the air accompanied by wild cheering and applause from family and friends.
Future plans/College major
Cedrick Bearcloud
Lassen Community College
Major: Art
Hailey Clark
Feather River College
Major: Science
Faith Clarke
University of Nevada, Reno
Major: Civil engineering
Hannah Counts
Shasta College
Major: Sociology
Tyler Davidge
Butte College
Major: Admin. Of Justice
Brenah Delacour
Capernwray, Australia
Major: Nutrition
Isaiah Estacio
Butte College
Major: Criminal Justice
Max Graham
Yuba College
Major: Art
Jimmy Heng
Butte College
Major: Undeclared
Rosalie Houser
Simpson College
Major: Psychology
Ashley Merrifield
Feather River College
Major: Photography
Chloe Monday
Houghton College
Major: Biology
Ashlyn Olah
UC, Berkeley
Major: Sociology
Eric Pacheco
CSU, Chico
Major: Undeclared
Lyric Quinn
Shasta College
Major: Psychology
Tanner Rogers
US Air Force
William Ryan
US Coast Guard
Kurt Stiarwalt
Butte College
Major: Diesel mechanics
Emily Twitchell
University of Nevada, Reno
Major: Psychology
Zoe Utterback
Houghton College
Early Childhood Ed
Kane Vandemark
N. Idaho Community College
Major: Business Mgmt.
Markie Willhoit
Shasta College
Major: Dental Hygiene
Kaela Wiseman
Shasta College
Major: Undeclared
Kylie Borges
Lassen Community College
Major: Nursing
