Thursday evening, 296 Hanford High seniors sat in their caps and gowns eagerly waiting to hear their names called.
“Honestly, starting freshman and sophomore year I didn’t think I would end up here because I was a troublemaker, but I’m here and am so excited to graduate,” said Alena Cortez, a Hanford High graduate.
The ceremony’s guest speaker was Dr. Joseph Castro, Fresno State’s next president.
“You represent the next generation of leaders in this city, state, nation and in this world,” said Dr. Joseph Castro, President elect of Fresno State.
Castro graduated from Hanford High School in 1984. He originally had plans to be somewhere else on this night.
“But this is a chance of a lifetime and I thought this is something I need to do,” said Dr. Castro.
For staff members, presenting a diploma is a truly rewarding experience.
“You sit there proudly and say we did our job,” said Scott Pickle, Principal of Hanford High.
This milestone is a payoff for parents as well.
“I always taught him that in order to get a good job you have to start off by getting your high school education and go on from there and he did it,” said Leon Hunter, father of a graduate.
78% of the 2013 class is headed off to either a 2-year or 4-year college.
Michelle Parrish is one of them.
“I’m going to Santa Rosa to get my education out of the way. This is just the beginning,” said Michelle Parrish, a Hanford High graduate.
Dr. Castro, a college graduate of both U.C. Berkeley and Stanford, urged these teenagers to strive for excellence.
“Set big, bold meaningful goals for your life. If you can do this you will be a success in whatever career you choose,” said Dr. Castro.
The graduates of this class will get a lot of financial help for college. They have secured $757,962 worth of scholarship money.