Dolores Schools celebrated the graduating class of 2015 Saturday morning.
Highlights included speeches were given by many, including Salutatorian Taylor Elder, Valedictorian Emma Youngquist, and science teacher Dave Hopcia.
Thanks to teachers, "We have the confidence for the real world," Elder said.
She praised speech, science, history and writing instructors for their high expectations of students.
"They realize that we like to be challenged, and are capable of anything we set our minds to."
The 47 graduates in the Class of 2015 have the endurance and persistence to be successful, she said. Students supporting one another paved the way to graduation.
"In the end comes a new beginning, Class of 2015, welcome to your new beginning," Elder said.
Youngquist urged her fellow graduates to break the mold of conformity and challenge the world with new ideas.
She encouraged her peers to "use our minds for creativity rather than stagnation, innovation rather than memorization."
Society trains youths to become workers, Youngquist continued, but don't miss out on adventure and the quest to follow your dreams.
"Do what you are passionate about and don't worry if you fall, because we all make mistakes in life. Learn from it and continue to grow," she said. "You are more than a number on a test or a college degree. You are an individual with enough creativity to change the world."
Science teacher Hopcia showed how nature is a metaphor for education and leading a fulfilling life.
A giant redwood tree stretches its roots out 100 feet, filters out CO2 more than any other, and has a fire-retardant bark.
Be like the great redwood tree, he said, and spread your roots wide. "They will help you weather the storms and be an anchor others can tie off to. Filter out the noise of life, and have a thick skin."
The rain forest holds 70 percent of the plants used to treat cancer, Hopcia continued.
It teaches us that "you don't always have to find answers in a laboratory, sometimes the answer is right in front of you."
Every arch in Arches National Monument is different, Hopcia said, just like each graduate is different.
"Each of you brings something special to the table," he said. "There is no such thing as normal. Normal is a setting on your drier."
Only 600 climbers have made it to the top of Mount Everest, though 4,000 who tried.
"No one said life would be easy. You have to want to make the difficult climbs to be successful," Hopcia said. "One of the first to summit, Sir Edmund Hillary, said, "It's not the mountain we conquer but ourselves."
But on your way there don't sacrifice your humanity. Enjoy the journey, appreciate what you have, and be prepared for the rapids of life.
"At some point you will have to go against the flow to do what is right. Remember that being nice matters, learn to listen, check your ego at the door, and check your heart instead," he advised. "This is your world, and now it is your turn."
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com