94°F
weather icon Clear

Class of 2019 graduates: Seniors speak of lessons from failures, tout support

As Boulder City High School held its 78th annual commencement, 124 seniors walked across the stage at Bruce Eaton Field, moving on to the next phase of their lives.

“I am so proud of the class of 2019 and all of their accomplishments,” said Amy Wagner, principal. “They have written their own page of history and will be missed, but their legacy will forever be remembered in the halls of Boulder City High School. To the graduates, I say, ‘Remember your days at BCHS as you embark on your next adventure. Dream big, challenge yourself, reach for the stars and make every day count.’ Go Eagles!”

The ceremony took place May 23 on an unseasonably cool day and featured speeches from the class of 2019’s six valedictorians and one salutatorian.

Salutatorian Chandler Larson encouraged his classmates to focus on their dreams.

He said that everyone has dreams, and although every one of them may not become a reality, the process of attempting to reach them will shape you.

Valedictorian Leaf Kaboli thanked his parents and his brother for their support as they had been with him through everything, the good and the bad. He also said all those ups and downs had made him successful.

He encouraged his classmates to determine who and what they wanted to follow them into their new chapter of life.

Valedictorian Christian Long shared how he had listened to the speeches during the class of 2015’s graduation ceremony and decided that he wanted to be valedictorian of his class. He said he also had other goals during high school, like getting into a military school. He said it took him reaching those achievements to realize he had a “mountain of support” behind him, and because of that, he planned to cherish his personal cheerleaders and encouraged his classmates to do the same.

Valedictorians Karson Bailey and Brynlee Campbell shared memories of classes with different teachers who taught them to work hard and persevere through difficult tasks.

They said that hard work and perseverance also showed outside of the classroom as 19 state championships had been reached during their four years of school.

Valedictorian Taylor Cunningham also talked about surviving difficult classes in high school.

She said the best way to survive is through perseverance and to surround yourself with relationships that guide you and support your strengths.

Valedictorian James Ewell said that in remembering the past four years he could see how much he failed. He had failed at turning in assignments and studying as well as possible in some areas.

“Every time I’ve failed, it’s taught me to not fail at that thing again,” he said. “Failure is not a bad thing. It’s an opportunity to learn not to fail again.”

After the ceremony, family and guests of the graduates had an opportunity to come onto the football field and celebrate.

“It was nice,” said Yadira Pohe about her son, Airan, who is a second-generation BCHS graduate. “I’m very proud of him.”

Amy Loving said BCHS has been awesome for her daughter, Haley.

“She moved here when she was a few months old,” Amy Loving said. “Basically, she’s grown up here. … It’s been good. We like it.”

Contact reporter Celia Shortt Goodyear at cgoodyear@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow her on Twitter @csgoodyear.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Toll Brothers gets split decision

The development of the area near Boulder Creek Golf Course known as Tract 350 (the sale of which is slated to pay for the majority of the planned replacement for the aging municipal pool) may have hit a snag last week as the planning commission voted 5-1 to deny the developers’ request to build houses closer to the street than is allowed under current law.

Council gives nod to 185 new hangars

There is at least one part of Boulder City that is set to see growth in the coming years. A lot of growth.

Boulder City ready to celebrate America

Boulder City resident James Cracolici may have put it best when he called the annual July 4 Damboree, “The crown jewel of all events held in Boulder City.”

BC can ban backyard breeders

Although there is nothing on any city agenda yet, the resolution of the issue of whether pet breeding will be allowed in Boulder City took a huge step forward last week as Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford released an official opinion on the intent and limitations of state law that had been requested by city staff last year.

Completion dates for two road projects pushed back

Mayor Joe Hardy tacitly acknowledged that Boulder City gets, perhaps, more than its fair share of funding from the Regional Transportation Commission, given the city’s size.

Businesses recognized at Chamber awards night

The Boulder City Chamber of Commerce’s annual installation and awards night featured many business owners in town and even had an appearance, albeit an A.I.-generated one, by Audrey Hepburn.

Parallel parking approved

Like so many other things in the world of Boulder City government, the issue of reconfiguring parking in the historic downtown area along Nevada Way, which generated enough heat to cause council members to delay a decision up until the last possible moment, ended with more of a whimper than a bang.

Ways to reduce summer power bills

Now that the thermometer is on the rise outdoors, the cost to cool homes and businesses on the inside is doing the same.