Class of 2004 graduates

More than 220 students received their high school diplomas at Mountain Home High School Friday.

But last week's constantly wet weather forced graduation ceremonies for the MHHS Class of 2004 inside for the first time in ten years.

Principle Barry Cahill, who had hoped to hold the ceremonies outside, waited until almost literally the last minute to make the decision to move the event, finally deciding at about 5:30 p.m. that the 7 p.m. ceremonies would have to be held at Lloyd Schiller Gymnasium at the high school.

School district maintenance crews had both sites set up and ready to go, whichever decision would be made.

At 6 p.m. families began arriving at the gym, and within 15 minutes the gym had largely been filled. Cahill asked the people to crowd together, but even then, it was literally standing room only for several hundred family members at the back of the gym, and the 50 or so that spilled out into the foyer of the high school. Theoretically, the gym was rated for a maximum occupancy of 1,600. Friday night, far more than that filled the bleachers and the chairs set up behind the section for the graduates.

To fit the families in, the faculty was not seated (they were shuffled off to the small gym) after being presented to the crowd, and the band and full choirs did not perform.

It quickly became oppressively hot inside the gym, even though district maintenance personnel had set up blowers they normally use to dry carpets. The programs became fans, offering a constant flutter in the background to the graduation ceremonies as those in the crowd tried to create a small breeze to endure the heat.

Many family members slipped out of the gym as soon as their loved one received their diploma. That opened up spaces for those waiting in the foyer for a chance to see the ceremonies.

The one advantage parents found to the indoor ceremonies was a better opportunity to get close to their graduate for pictures as the student received their diploma. Throughout the ceremonies parents slipped out of their seats to get near the stage, get their pictures, and withdraw.

And with the exception of a pair of beach balls that appeared among the graduates, being bounced around the gym, the ceremonies were much more serious than in previous years, with few students hamming it up.

Overall, the move to inside the gym took nothing away from the sense of pride and celebration enjoyed by the graduates and their families.

Principal Barry Cahill praised this year's class, noting that "I appreciate this class' ability to go with change." He also asked the class to stand and applaud "those who got you here," the parents and teachers who supported them through 12 years of school.

Cahill said this year's class had received $700,000 in scholarships, of which $50,000 had been raised locally.

The class had six valedictorians, of which two, Jacob Dunn and Jennifer Jorgenson, served as the graduation speakers. The other valedictorians were Stephen Reinschmidt, Nathan Rogers, Christofer Vork and Laura Kellerman.

Degrees were handed out by the three members of the school board that were present, Chairman Jim Alexander, Luise House and Doug Belt. Vice Principal Suzanne Rankin welcomed each graduate as they prepared to cross the stage, and Counselor Karen Graves congratulated them as the exited. It was a bittersweet moment for both women. Both are retiring at the end of this year so it marked the last time they would enjoy those duties.

The class was welcomed by Senior Class President Tiffany Morris, who noted that life was like a constantly flowing river "and it is time to let our river run freely. This will be the last time that our rivers flow as one. It is time to step over the edge, into new waters.

Jorgenson, in her speech, noted that "high school has been so much more than just education learned from a text book.... Our time of education has just begun. This is the time to shine, and to make a change in other people's lives. Push to make a difference anywhere you can. Take the time to help others look at life with open eyes, too."

Dunn told his fellow graduates that "we are faced with many challenges in this brave new world: apathy, debauchery, racism, bigotry, avarice, stereotypes, change, the list goes on and on. But just remember, what we must overcome is nothing compared to what we overcame. Open your eyes and accept the plethora of experiences that will inherently cascade over our minds and bodies. Just remember, whether you go off to college, start an occupation, go into the military, or just stay in a state of atrophy, an open mind, a caring heart, and an acceptance of self will ultimately assuage the pain of our journey.... Change is essential, change is the only reliable process, change is to be embraced and accepted with a tranquil mind."

(The complete text of those speeches can be found on page A-5 of today's edition).

As the last graduate crossed the stage, Cahill presented the class to the crowd, and the graduates rose and tossed their caps into the air, then turned and began working their way through the crush of bodies to find family and friends, to get hugs and kisses and well-earned congratulations. The press of the crowd spilled out of the gym and filled the street in front of the high school, where pictures were taken, hands were shaken and the graduates and their families began to move off into their new lives.

The graduates of the Class of 2004 are:

Danielle Elizabeth Ackerman

Jason Lee Albedyll

Christina Marie Alumbaugh

Jean Paul Edmond Archambeault

Gerardo Antonio Ayala

Grace Magdalena Barney

Dillon Scott Barresi

Myke lAugusta Barrie

David Drew Bauer

Jennifer Rose Beaucher

Selena Ann Becker

Jeramy Dale Belieu

Naomi Marie Belieu

Sarrah Ann Benoit

Kimberly Ann Berdeguez

Stanley G. Bessey II

Stevie Rachel Bitah

Mallory Ann Black

Brandon Dwane Blake

R.J. Bollinger

Stephanie Marie Bollman

Steven Robert Bonney

Anna Rachel Borgholthaus

Jolene Lee Broome

Jamie Miranda Brown

Nathan John Bundy

Jennifer Lynne Burks

David Scott Cameron II

Martin Gamino Canales

Amber Daun Capps

Edward Quilates Caranto III

Kevin Clifford Case

John Dale Chaney

Natalie Lynn Christiansen

Eric Nathaniel Conte

Jenifer Lee Cook

Ashley Marie Corbus

Leah Brittany Cottrill

Kailee Jo Courtright

Kevin Jeremy Curl Chivon Nicole Nelson Cutler

Erin Nicole Davis

Michael Thomas DeVerney-Pasto

Megan Denise Dickinson

Joshua Tyler Dison

Evan Tyler Dixon

Maria Elizabeth Dominguez

Daniel David Dopps

Daniel Robert Downen III

Daniel James Driskell

Sarah Rachel Duch

Jacob Natan Dunn

Joseph Earl Ebenhoeh

Katie Mae Edeker

Travis Mark Elliott

Cohn James Erickson

Mark Edward Fischer, Jr.

Donovan Bradley Fredericksen

Matthew David Fredericksen

Richard Nathan Garcia

Arturo Juarez Garcia, Jr.

Adam Micheal Garvey

Jeffery Robert Garvey

Catherine Lois Gilbert

Bethany Sarah Gliddon

Erin Marie Goelze

Krista Joy Gorman

Michael James Green

Shawn Christopher Griffin

Sloane Nicole Grimmett

Andrew Scott Grodi

Jessica Rene Gruver

Montserrat Guadalupe Guadarrama

Kimberly Dawn Gulley

Maria Francesca Gutierrez

Melissa Michelle Guyer

Melissa Anna Halley

Tara Hannah Hamilton

Patricia Judith Hamlet

Jessica Marie Hammer

Riley Dale Hammond

Caom Leeair Hansen

Christopher Gerald Hathaway

Jeffrey Daniel Hawley

Sarah Ann Hess

Lauren Ann Hicks

Nathan Jacob Holcomb

AdamTurnerHolden

Jessica Lee Huffman

Abelardo Orozco Hurtado

Jessica Amber Hurtado

Courtney Suzanne Isaacs

Emma Jane Jackson

Kendahl Ray Jackson

Ashley Louise Jamison

Tashelle Marie Jenks

Alisha Christine Jewett

Marion Figuracion Johnson

Samantha Rose Jones

Jennie Lorraine Jorgensen

Katrina Ann Junge

Dillon James Kastner

Laura Renee Kellerman

Christina Marie Knoell

Jennifer Marie Knoell

Michelle Elizabeth Knox

Amber Christine Koster

Ashlee Nichole Kuecker

Rachel Beth Laramie

Alan Michael Lawler

Brennen Laurence Lawson

Kylie Marie Lippert

Fernando Lopez Alanis

Nelida Lopez Herndandez

Daniel James Lupton

Andrew Robert Lytle

Jordan Christine Madarieta

Elsa Martinez

Maria Lourdes Martinez

Kurt Axel Mathiesen

Darek Jordan Maughan

Jade Thomas McGill

Wayne Alan McNamar

Anthony David McNeil

Brandon Charles Miller

Jonathon Edward Miller

Kyle Richard William Miller

Nikki Dee Monasterio

Krystal Jean Montecchie

Daniel James Moreno

Tiffany Nicole Morris

Andrea Marie Morrison

Ryan Verterra Motsavage

Stacy Marie Musacchio

William James O'Brien III

Yesenia Ochoa

Christopher Michael Ouellette

Emily Ann Pachner

Dustin Thomas Pangonis

Jayson Millamina Pantan

Carissa Marie Patterson

Shawn Anthony Patterson

Alexandro Alberto Pedroza

Felisia Christine Pedroza

Jaime Pedroza

Heather Marie Pellish

Sarah Elizabeth Peterson

Erica Dawn Phillips

Troy Edward Frank Plasterer

Jessica Lynn Plummer

Anthony Antonio Pomerlee

Christina Michelle Poole

Lacey Marie Pratt

Charley Price

Whitney Drew Raber

Donna Marie Rackley

Michael Allen Reedy

Stephen Thomas Reinschmidt

Rachel Marie Reynolds

Mallory Rhead

Justin Dean Roberts

Tiffany Mane Robins

Call Ray Robinson

Celina Ramona Rodriguez

Nathan Wilson Ramangmow Rogers

Ramiro Ruiz

Laura Marie Rush

Alvaro Salas

Danielle Lee Sanders

Marcus Dwayne Santistevan

Daniel Heath Schroeder

James Anthony Sedbrook

Colleen Marie Sessions

Trent Parker Shelton

Jeremy Scott Sherman

Jennifer Lynn Shrum

Sarah Marie Sloan

Amber June Smith

Erin Kelly Smith

Jessi Lyn Smith

Amanda Nicole Snapp

Aaron Lee Snow

Michelle Ann Snyder

Travis Cheyenne Childress-Soden

Justin Edward Spencer

Josh Stanek

Christa Sue Stanton

Joshua Christopher Stephens

Anna Barbara Stowell

Andrew Craig Stryker

Kristen Whitney Swartz

Adriana Tapia

Ana Bertha Tapia

Elvis Tapia

Mitchell Joseph Thomas

Courtney Ann Thomason

Michael Lee Thornsberry

Suzie Cornelie Tipton

Kimberly Ann Tortolano

Alisha Erin Trotter

Vanessa Ryan Tudisco

Timothy John Turner

Ryan James Kawika Valdez

Magdalena Vega

Christopher Neil Vork

Desiree Marie Walden

Kristin Renee Walker

Megan Elizabeth Warburton

Andrea Nicole Ward

Nicole Veronica Ward

Reyne Margaret Watson

Whitney Adare Watson

Garrett Alan Wells, Jr.

Andrew Beach White III

Christina Noel Whitehead

Shelby Ann Wickmark

Daniel Lee Widner

Bradley Scoff Wiersma II

Clark Dennis Williams, Jr.

Daniel Wesley Wilson

Jamie Ann Winings

Michael Patrick Wood

The honor students for the MHHS Class of 2004, those who achieved final GPAs of 3.5 or better, are:

DavidDrewBauer, Sarrah Ann Benoit, Kimberly Ann Berdeguez, Stanley G. Bessey II, Stephanie Marie Bollman, Steven Robert Bonney, Anna Rachel Borgholthaus, Jolene Lee Broome, Nathan John Bundy, Eric Nathaniel Conte, Jacob Nathan Dunn, Catherine Lois Gilbert, Laura Rene Kellerman, Jordan Christine Madarieta, Tiffany Nicole Morris, Andrea Marie Morrison, Emily Ann Pachner, Dustin Thomas Pangonis, Erica Dawn Phillips, Stephen Thomas Reinschmidt, Tiffany Marie Robins, Nathan Wilson Ramangmow Rogers, Laura Marie Rush, Bethany Sarah Gliddon, Krista Joy Gorman, Andrew Scott Grodi, Jessica Rene Gruver, Kimberly Dawn Gulley, Tara Hannah Hamilton, Lauren Ann Hicks, Courtney Suzanne Isaacs, Kendahl Ray Jackson, Ashley Louise Jamison, Tashelle Marie Jenks, Jennie Lorraine Jorgensen, Jennier Lynn Shrum, Sarah Marie Sloan, Christa Sue Stanton, Adriana Tapia, Alisha Erin Trotter, Magdalena Vega Christopher, Neil Vork, Desiree Marie Walden, Megan Elizabeth Warburton, Reyne Margaret Watson, Shelby Ann Wickmark.