"We’ve learned to view everything as a learning experience”

DIXON, CA (MPG) - It was an outdoor graduation ceremony that a lot of students feared might not come, but last Saturday couldn’t have been more perfect from the spring-like weather to the high school band’s rendition of Sir Edward Elgar’s ‘Pomp and Circumstance.’

Principal Stephanie Marquez greeted Dixon High School graduates on Finney Field along with their parents, families, and friends who filled the bleachers on both sides while students marched in wearing their green robes for all to see. She began with an appreciation for those that helped get the students to this point.

“You are in your seats today because of 13 years of education, but you didn’t get here without help,” she said, adding recognition of staff, faculty, administration, and volunteers. “I also thank the community that has consistently invested in you,” she emphasized.

This class was particularly special to her, she said, as they were freshmen when she first became Principal.

“I will never, ever, ever forget your faces!” she said, choking back the rush of emotions. “And, I’ll never forget the look on your faces on March 13, 2020 when school closed.” She reminisced about learning Zoom and ChromeBooks and struggling to provide some of the kind of traditions they deserved.

“It was like you were stuck in some kind of huge medusa ride dangling upside down,” she said. “But now, you’re on solid ground. You are graduating with your whole life in front of you and you are better and stronger than we were at your age.” After giving advice to not look back, engage, take risks, learn, love, give, be brave, and speak up, she introduced the Distinguished Scholars.

Dixon High School replaced the Valedictorian tradition several years back with honoring all students who receive 4.0 or above grade point averages. This year, Marquez said, there were 43 of those.

Liliana Ascencio, the Associated Student Body President gave a speech titled, ‘Rewriting History’ and spoke of this past year that Netflix and their beds were the only things that held them together. “What we learned is that we needed each other,” she said. Students began intermittent processions to pick up their diplomas and families could be heard shouting praise and amidst bull horns and confetti cannons.

Mariela Ruvalcaba talked about ‘The Process,’ reminding students that “they are closer than they can imagine to their goals” but to understand that failing is part of the process to succeed. She then repeated her talk in Spanish which earned a huge roar of foot stomping and applause from the stands.

“This year was absolutely terrible,” said speaker Jessica Sutherland. “Nothing is guaranteed and tomorrow is never promised.” She advised fellow grads to pursue life to the fullest.

The last speaker was Mia Crain who said the class was a “new breed.”

“We were all made stronger and more resilient than ever,” she said. “We’ve learned to view everything as a learning experience.”

“Take a deep breath. We finally made it,” she concluded. Principal Marquez gave the closing remarks saying that they had “celebrated, grieved, and groaned.

“I can’t wait to see who you will become,” she said and with great anticipation, instructed the students to pass their tassels to the opposite side of their mortar boards and declared them officially graduated.

An estimated one thousand ecstatic family and friends funneled out of the stadium for photo ops and many hugs of congratulations.