Photos by Marie Mccolm Monte Vista High School graduate Carlos Ochoa-Marquez told his classmates to ‘go confidently towards your dreams’ during the graduation ceremony on Saturday at MVHS. Monte Vista High School graduate Syriah Bernal recounted the many accomplishments of the Monte Vista High School Class of 2023 during the graduation ceremony on Saturday at MVHS. Monte Vista High School graduate Fernando Coss poses for a photo with his family after receiving his diploma on Saturday at MVHS.

MONTE VISTA — Approximately 800 people attended the Monte Vista High School graduation ceremony on Saturday May 27, inside the Monte Vista High School gymnasium. The senior class consisted of 47 graduates.

The morning graduation ceremony kicked off with a welcome by Principal Jose Ortega. After the welcome, the MVHS band played the national anthem.

A student welcome was given by Carlos Ochoa-Marquez.

“Today I stand before you as the literal version of conflictedness,” he said. “Every single one of us is filled with many emotions, ones of happiness that it’s all finally over, and others of pure sadness that it’s finally over. For our entire lives all that we have known is school, and all of that hard work finally pays off today. Don’t be sad because this is the end, be happy because this is a new beginning. We take with us thousands of memories. As I reflect on my 4 years of High School, I have made one big realization; the chatter, the name calling, the downing, all of it was just noise. We didn’t let any of it define who we were.”

Ochoa-Marquez said this past year was especially hard for everyone. In January of this year, he was diagnosed with stage 2 malignant Melanoma, the worst kind of skin cancer.

“My life changed forever,” he said. “Through this whole cancer situation, I have only grown stronger and not let anything drag me down. Although I have been through so much this year, I know everyone else has struggled with their own demons. Please know that there is another side and that everything will get better. You have all made it here. You have all made a difference in this world. I am very happy and proud of what each of you have achieved, and what I have achieved. It is not easy, but it is certainly worth it. If there is one thing you take from this speech it is this; go confidently towards your dreams and live the life you have imagined and keep making everyone proud. Thank you everyone.”

Ochoa-Marquez then introduced fellow student speaker Syriah Bernal, the senior class vice president.

“We are here today to celebrate a huge milestone in our young lives,” she said. “The end of an era is here and a new chapter in our lives is beginning. We are all here together, as one class before we start our lives and go our separate ways. I am proud of every single one of us and our accomplishments, starting from our football team going all the way to the quarterfinal, to both basketball teams to regionals, all of our state qualifying wrestlers, the baseball team taking district championship, along with our FFA, FBLA, Science fair and History fair competitors, our three-time state champion band, and finally the new State Championship under Monte’s belt, the boys 2A 4 by 100 relay.”

Bernal encouraged everyone to keep going and keep working hard.

“Taking all of this in, I wish to leave my class with the heart to keep going, to keep all their dreams, to put in the work, and be OK if life pulls us in another direction,” she said. “Success isn’t just handed out but earned. No matter what stage you compete on, we have all represented Monte Vista High School positively, throughout our years as a part of this school. Be proud of yourself for all you have accomplished in your high school career. No matter how big or small, the battles we fight each day make us who we are. Together we are here, united under the label of the class of 2023. I pray each and every one of us follows our dreams, and achieves our goals, no matter what we decide to do with our lives. Staying kind and humble and reaching for the stars, I believe every single one of us will succeed in everything that we set our minds to do. In the wise words of Mr. Worldwide, ‘Everyday above ground is a good day,’ remember that. Congratulations to the class of 2023.”

A tribute to the staff and parents followed. Each graduate was able to get up from where they were seated and go to their parents and family members and give them hugs and flowers for their love and support.

Two more student addresses were given by Vianney Lopez and Madison Miller. Then staff at the Monte Vista High School handed out cords to recognize students with honors and high honors.

The Melinda Pinkerton Award was also presented. Melinda Pinkerton was a 2006 High School graduate. Pinkerton was diagnosed with a rare and terminal disease 3 years before she graduated, Neurofibromatosis type 2. She fought the disease and stayed with a positive, brave spirit up until April 7, 2016, when she passed away at the age of 28.

The Melinda Pinkerton award was presented by Melissa Harlan, and given to Laisha Lupita-Arroyo, for her strength, character, and ability to rise above hard circumstances.

After the awards were given, Principal Ortega and the MVSD Board of Education presented the diplomas. One by one each student stepped up in alphabetical and received their diplomas. New to this year's ceremony was some students being given their diplomas by teachers or other staff members that significantly impacted their lives.

The turning of the tassel was initiated by Kahi Lee Hererra. The presentation of the class followed, and the graduating class proudly marched out of the gymnasium.