KING CITY — Loud cheers erupted Saturday morning as King City High School Mustangs Class of 2017 took the field for the final time at its commencement ceremony, during which 205 seniors tossed their caps in the air in celebration of their graduation.
Family, friends, teachers and classmates watched and cheered from the stands as the seniors celebrated their final day of high school. Speeches were given by seniors Dusty Miller, ASB president; Ileen Vargas, class president; Noemi Amezcua-Moreno, salutatorian; and Sandy Garcia, valedictorian.
“I’d like to take this moment to give you all some advice, as we head into the real world,” Garcia said. “Jean-Paul Sartre once said, ‘Existence precedes essence,’ which is another way of saying that once we are born, it is up to us to find our purpose in life through our own freewill. Therefore, I encourage you all to get out of your comfort zone and try new things.”
Garcia told her fellow graduates to find their passion and pursue it.
“Engage and debate, and be open-minded. Pay attention to current events and question everything. Allow people to voice their opinion the same way you voice yours. And lastly, take advantage of the countless opportunities this country has to offer,” she said. “… Education is a blessing. Do not let it go to waste.”
The June 3 program also featured senior Luke Hamilton, who sang the National Anthem, and the local Color Guard, which presented the flags. The commencement address was given by King City High School Principal Janet Sanchez-Matos.
“I hope that we, your teachers, have laid a solid foundation, which will guide you, and one that you will build upon as you set off on your next journey in life,” Sanchez-Matos said. “The Class of 2017 will forever be a very special class to me. I will personally never forget this graduation, and I will always hold it dear to my heart. I thank you for all the memories.”
Sanchez-Matos told her students that she wishes nothing but the best for them in life.
“May all your dreams and wishes come true. May you grow up and blossom into productive, self-sufficient, respectable adults,” she said.
View more graduation photos in the “Congrats Grads” section in the June 14 issue.
