Olivia DeHerrera, Valedictorian of the Antonito High School class of 2009.

By LARRY WINGET

ANTONITO—Antonito High School graduated the 17 seniors of its class of 2009 in ceremonies held Friday, May 22, in the high school gymnasium.

The AHS seniors marched to their graduations to the sounds of the Antonito Band playing “Pomp and Circumstance” and were accompanied by ushers Jon Duran, Jose Uriarte, Chelsey Dupont and Kelci Garcia.

Senior Kelsey Romero sang and played the guitar to “Time of My Life,” by David Cook, the class song of the Antonito Class of 2009.

Valedictorian Olivia DeHerrera, Salutatorian Kelli Garcia, and guest speaker Jolene Garcia addressed the gathering before diplomas were presented. DeHerrera related stories from her high school experience and said, “Every person has the potential to bring light to a dark room.” Kelli Garcia said she and her classmates had “worked hard to get here and now it’s happened.” She said “thanks” to the outstanding teachers at Antonito HS, to her friends and to her colleagues. “May God bless you all.”

Jolene Garcia told the packed house of friends and supporters, “I am proud to say I’m a 1995 graduate of Antonito High School.” She said she had gone on to earn a degree in business management from Adams State College and ended her remarks saying, “Life is what we make it, and we are our own destiny.”

South Conejos School Board President Wilfred Martinez and Superintendent Carlos Garcia presented diplomas. This is Garcia’s last year with the district as he is retiring this summer. Guadalupe Elementary School Principal Marcella Garcia has been tapped to take his position next year.

The Antonito High School Class of 2009 included DeHerrera, Garcia, and Yu-ting Chen, Pak Ho Chu, Abel Espinoza, Bobbi Rae Garcia, Kelli Garcia, Jonathon Juarez, Jessica Miller, Gabrielle Romero, Kelsey Romero, Kally Salazar, William Salazar, Yolanda Uriarte, Shantai Vela, Raymond Vigil, and Yi Wen. Chen, Chu, Miller, and Wen were listed as exchange students. Those four, along with Bobbi Rae Garcia, Vela, and Vigil were designated Honorary Students. Ronnie Garcia and DeHerrera were also listed as Upward Bound Seniors.