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Class of 2001 says farewell

A total of 45 seniors at Williams High School said goodbye to the school as they received their diplomas on Friday.

This year there are three valedictorians — Allison Erickson, Rachel Langston and Arin Fleishman. The salutatorian is Sara Beth Harris and the two historians are Sunshine Fitzgerald and Tiffany Johnson.

“We have started to think about the future more than we ever have before,” said Erickson. “Tonight is the night for reflection of all of our hard work over the last 12 years.

“Tonight we are celebrating us.”

During Fleishman’s speech, she issued a challenge to her classmates.

“I challenge you to stick to your personal goals,” she said. “Pursue success and make the most of every situation. Strive for excellence and never settle for less.”

The time is now for seniors to decide about their future, Langston said during her speech.

“We will have many paths of which to choose,” she said.

Some students will choose college. Some will choose to work and some will start a family, Langston said. She said whichever path her classmates take, it is the support of parents, teachers, pastors and community leaders that will make the difference.

Langston thanked her parents and God for her accomplishments. She also gave parents a little piece of advice.

“Get involved in your children’s lives,” she said. “You are the most important people in our path to success.”

There are the four words John Carrillo, Williams High School counselor and commencement speaker, said the graduating class of 2001 should avoid.

“My parents would not let me cop out by saying ‘I can’t do it,’” he said.

Carrillo said if the students can avoid using these words they will go far in life. He added that from now on, the graduating class would only be able to look to themselves if something goes wrong in their lives.

“The decisions you make are the keys to achieving your directives and goals,” he said. “Questions will be answered by the decisions you make. So remember when making a decision — think about the consequences.”

Jac Heiss, superintendent of Williams schools who also has a son, Quill, who graduated Friday, said he remembers what he thought 2001 would be like when he was younger.

“I wasn’t much older than these students when I went to see (the movie) 2001 Space Odyssey,” he said.

Heiss said at that time the Cold War was still going on so the outlook about the future was uncertain. He added he hadn’t even begun to think about having children, nonetheless one who would be graduating this year.

“It (going to school at WHS) has well prepared you to begin your own odyssey,” he said.

During the ceremony, Karen Matthews, who would have graduated this year, was also remembered.

“We will always remember her joy and her smile,” said Fitzgerald about her classmate who died last year during a car/train accident.

The speakers thanked parents, teachers, friends and the community for their support throughout the years. During Harris’ speech, the sentiment she conveyed to her classmates was simple.

“Live for every moment,” she said.


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