The PUHS auditorium was filled with proud parents, grandparents, siblings and friends as the nineteen members of the class of 2018 took their place on the stage for the graduation ceremony May 25. Dean of Students Carmen Gomez opened the evening praising the students for their hard work and their success in earning more than $100,000 in scholarships to continue their educations. Graduates of PUHS, have been awarded $1.3 million over the last five years, according to Gomez.
class celebrate after receiving their diplomas. Photo by Marion Vendituoli
Valedictorian Duke Norton, who graduated with a 4.5 GPA, gave thanks to the late Fred Sang and Denise Blake in his remarks. He then talked about what it meant to grow up in a small town. “When we say we grew up in Patagonia, we mean that we know more about each other, we mean we are leaving the only place we know,” he said.
After the speeches, a senior slide show and the presenting of diplomas, the graduates switched their tassels, threw their hats into the air and whipped out cans of silly string, covering each other in strands of colorful strings, before joining their families to celebrate their success.
