Close-knit grads part
Taft Union seniors will go separate ways after commencement
Filed: June 14, 2001
By TIM BRAGG
Californian staff writer
e-mail: tbragg@bakersfield.com
TAFT -- Students at Taft Union High School cried tears of both joy and sorrow as they participated in the school's 87th annual commencement Wednesday night.
There were 179 graduates in the ceremony, which included students from Taft Union High School and the district's continuation high school.
The students said they have mixed feelings about leaving high school. Most were sad to leave their friends, but they also look forward to the challenges of the future.
"We're all going to be going our different ways, which is what it's like when you're in a small town," said Brooke Crayhill. "We're all going our different directions."
Dyellen Payne said that growing up and going to high school in a small town makes everyone very close-knit.
Many of the students have been attending classes together since elementary school and junior high school.
Payne plans to attend Taft College before transferring to Texas Christian University or a school in Hawaii to take pre-med classes.
Payne wants to become a medical examiner someday. Although she said that some think this an unusual career choice, she said it's the right thing for her.
"I see TV shows on The Discovery Channel and other places that show people performing surgeries, and I think it's really neat," she said.
In order to graduate, one student had to overcome challenges the others didn't have to face. Jennifer Sommers has muscular dystrophy, but she didn't let the condition affect her academic success.
"My friends have supported me in everything I do," she said. "They've helped me through the hard times."
But not all the students who graduated claim Taft as their home.
Several foreign students received honorary diplomas at the ceremony.
Nusa Meyboom of Holland said she enjoyed her year of high school in Taft.
"Everything here in America is so big," Meyboom said. "Even the graduations are a much bigger deal. In Holland, we don't have such a large ceremony."
Some students said they will never forget their high school experiences.
Stephanie Griffing said she will always remember the school's "Every 15 minutes" program.
That program is intended to teach students about the dangers of drunken driving.
Griffing said she hoped everyone would have a sober graduation.
Back to story list
|
