On a clear and breezy evening at Lobo Stadium, the Class of 2017 donned cap and gown to celebrate their graduation from Longview High School... and begin the first day of the rest of their lives.
Senior Class President Michael Goolsby greeted the crowd, sharing an impassioned and light-hearted exhortation to his peers.
'Thirteen years ago we began our educational journey, through the years we have learned a lot about ourselves, our ambition, and what we can achieve in life,' he said. 'I am honored to represent one of the most talented classes in Longview High School history.'
Class of 2017 co-valedictorian Christopher Guck recalled fond memories of how far the class had come since their elementary days, and reminded them of the importance of understanding from where one comes to better understand where one needs to go.
'Our lives are not defined by how well we did or did not do in high school,' he said. 'Sure, the accomplishments here can help us in the future, but even then: nothing is holding us back from changing our tomorrows. If we focus our efforts in areas we are passionate about, success will come as a byproduct.'
LHS co-valedictorian Arjun Peddireddy urged his classmates to not play it safe having graduated from high school, but to seek even greater heights of personal growth and achievement.
'To me, these past for years relate to skydiving. We start off our freshman year, scared of what our dive into high school might be, we think of everything that could go wrong,' he said. 'We all made that daring jump and it seems, as soon we made that jump, time flew by and here we are: ready for our next dive into the real world.'
It was a joyous celebration as well as a solemn tribute to two longtime faculty members who passed away: Mr. James Bowie and Mr. Charles Parsons.
LHS Principal James Brewer said both deaths left an unfillable void on his campus.
'These are two men who were not just incredible educators, but good friends,' he said. 'They both leave a lasting legacy of greatness that the next generation must aspire to live up to.'
With some offers still pending, scholarships total $7,623,148 for 107 seniors. The total is currently down from $7,668,770 last year.
The Top 2 percent of the Class of 2016 includes (in alphabetical order): Sunita Anne Brimmer, Mary Katherine Darby, Naomi D'Arbell-Bobádilla, Daniele Rose Farren, Rutvi Deepak Patel, Abigail Lynn Pauley, and Neal Rangu.
Graduates finishing in the Top 10 percent of their class: Briana Gisselle Aguilar, Madeline Claire Duvall, Mya Alexis Patterson, Stephanie Nohely Aguilar, Keira Nicole Eynon, Audrey Anne Payton, Raven Celeste Atkinson, Tristen David Fisher, Mario Alberto Plata Harris, Daniel Marc Christoph Bally, Michael Austin Goolsby, Amy Ramos, Mary Katherine Camp, Olivia Leigh Hill, Melissa Ruiz, Brittney Alexandria Campbell, Abby Lee Jester, David Esau Sánchez, Anthony Michael Castillo, Kaylee Elaine Jimmerson, Ashlyn Dianne Shobert, Lucy Lanette Castillo, Matayia Janea Jones, Lady Johana Trejo, Ian Matthew Champion, Alexander Kincaid Lammers, Austin Cole Vincent, Rondy Bryce Cunningham, Alejandro Jose Martinez Berrios, Margaret Elizabeth Ward, Bradie Blair Davis, Kayla Elizabeth Owings, Caitlin Brianna Wilcox, Khloe Madeline Dunn, Ronaldo Patino Flores, and Archie Augustus Williams.
The rest of the Class of 2017: Antonio Aguilar, Jiselle Marina Aldape, April Cassandra Alejandro, Gustavo Almazan, Jose Francisco Alvarado, Sammael Alvarado, Daisy Guadalupe Alvarez, Marcoz Ivan Amador, Quantavious Jae’Keviyon Anderson, Hyyman Samone Anthony, Jakayla Shayvon Anthony, Lizbeth Aragon, Anahi Vianey Arellano Esparza, Demetrius Alvester Armstrong, Miranda Nichole Arredondo, Monica Lizet Arreguin, Blanca Elizabeth Arreola, Ruby Esmeralda Arreola, Dakota Len Atteberry, Ivan Alexander Balderas, Kennedy Sheniya Ballard, Haylie Janae Barrow, Fransisco Xavier Basoria, Elijah Daijuan Beall, Jamichael Jamell Beall, James Howard Beard, Bryan O’Neal Beck, Valissia Vassianna Beck, J’Najaha Brianna La’Nell Bell, March’Nique Lee’Na Bell, Pedro Benitez, Yasmin Benitez, Lorenzo Nelson Bennett, Maci Lynn Benson, Ashleigh Ja’Kel Reba Benton, Dominique Nicole Bigham, McKala Lashon Black, Che’Ara Naja Blackwell, Madison Nicole Emily Blake, LaDarrion Blakemore, Latravius Domineque Blanton, Serenity Irene Bolby, Kyerra Ann Booker, Brandon LaFeyette Borens, De’Oviyon Mykale Bowens, Dejha Charelle Bradley, Yasmine Tatyana Bradley, Dominic Michael Bray, Odalis Briseno, De’Karian Keyshun Brooks, Aaron Lane Brown, Alexis De’Andrea Brown, Elease La-Shea Brown, Gifford Earl Brown Jr., Loyel Xayvier Brown, Zachariah Alexander Bennett Brown, Shemar Da’Von Buchanan, Cierra Lanell Buckley, Brittany Marie Burge, Makayla Rose Burkes, Cam’Ron Je’Keith Bush, Charmaine Kitae Bush, Trajan Marqui Bush, Brianna Taylor Bynum, Alison Rose Caldwell, Landon Philip Calhoun, Hector Calzada-Cuevas, Janise Shanea Campbell, Jaqueline Campozano, Luz Pablo Canchola, Christopher Ray Caraway, Cesar Alexander Cardenas Hernandez, Daijia Monique Carr, LaDayshia Demetria Carr, Joshua Thomas Castleberry, Bianca Ceballos, Zaida Noelia Cerda, Christina Cerna, Devin Ross Chambers, Eric Joe Chavarria, Nidya Chavez, Isaac Joseph Cisneros, Barbra Rochelle Coby, Khadejah Sharvette Colbert, Daquiaveon Jeremiah Collins, McKenzie Sue Collins, Mason Alan Colvin, Dulce Lizbeth Conde, Jorge Nazaret Cortez, Cameron Alexander Coulter, Destaní Lynné Cox, Hayden Ray Cox, Ty Lana Chere Crabb, Amairany Esmeralda Cruz, Deyonna Nhya Daniels, Jasten Elijah Darensbourg, Don’Tayvian Avondre LaSam Davenport, Brianna Lashelle Davis, Chase Letroy Wayne Davis, Jahleel DeJuan Davis, Kobe De’Adrian Jerome Davis, La’Trice De’Shawn Davis, Tia Faith Jackée Deadmon-White, Haley Alexis Deitz, Astrid Guadalupe Delacruz, Selma DeLuna, Jazmine Samone Dennis, Kenedrick Jamel Dessesaure, Eric Elias Diaz, Trevor Christian Diaz, Sarah Kaye Dickerson, Jack Tanner DiPasquale, Kahlil Malik Da’won Dorsey, Ashanti Indigo Darna Dotrey, Austin Christopher Dotson, Braylyn Keshun Driver, Mya Lataya Duffey, Cameron Jess Durham, Stephanie Diane Emhoolah, Collin Blake Endsley, Evelyn Enriquez, Delia Espinoza, Jessenia Espinoza, Shamya Latrice Espy, Maddison Paige Evers, Ja’Quavion Deshay Faggans, Ahmad Rayshawn Farrier, Arnoldo Felix, RoJae Okeita Ferguson, Erick Rene Fernandez, Dezmond Daytwon Fields, LaShreenda Lasha Fields, Nichole Simone Fite, Darian Kah’Ron Fitts, Shakariah Shavares Flamer, Chastiney Lashay Fletcher, Lyndsey Michelle Fletcher, Lisset Flores, Michael Ricky Flores, Ciera Iamble’ Ford, Kayla Virginia Ford, Joshua O’Brian Fountain, Erik Wade Franklin, LaPorshia Shamperia Freeney, Isabel Guadalupe Fuentes, Me’Kia Xeniea La’Shae Fuller, Meekayla Jayvannye’ Fuller, Asension Galvan, Martin Gaona, Alejandra Garcia, Carlos Noe Garcia, Kareli Viridiana Garcia, Brayan Azael Garcia Cepada, Cortereion Jamaurion Garrett, Daija Renee Garrett, Maleak Daquon Garrett, Za’Tyrion Malik Garrett, LeVondrick Vontrey George, Austin Terry Godell, Brock Kentray Goffney, Pedro Gomez, Marianna Gomez Pedroso Crespo, Alphalia Isabel Gonzalez, Estrella Gonzalez, Oscar Enrique Gonzalez, Yasmine Monique Gordon, Jamore Lynn Green, Jessica Louise Green, Elisabeth Eden Greene, Journey Kimberly-Johnaé Greene, Juan Pablo Grimaldo, Jesus Guerrero, Jonathan Guerrero, Tanya Alejandra Guevara Huerta, Makala Ra’Kel Guice, Alexis Kathleen Hadley, Cody Jarod Haggerty, Michael Dean Hanson, LaMya Shajuan Harris, Brianna Nicole Hawkins, Kaylie Marie Hawkins, Kaniya Jha’Dai Henderson, Skyler LeNisia Henderson, Syeira LeNise Henderson, Tyler Christian Hendricks, Astin Rashad Henry, Brandon Anthony Hernandez, Daisy Yvette Hernandez, Jose Arturo Hernandez, Luiz Alexis Hernandez, Marco Antonio Hernandez, Michelle Antonia Hernandez, Daisy Hernandez Barrera, Tanner Rhett Hesley, Jonathon Mallory Holley, Lauren Paige Homer, Autumn Chantrell Horn, Endia Benet Howard, Billy Wayne Hubbard, Ronin Calvin Hubbard, Melissa Ellen Hudson, Tadai Im’Unique Humble, Cara Aneta Hutchings, Jialon JaQuay Hutchings, Issamar Ibarra, Kiara Marie Isaac, Erath Edgar Islas, Jennifer Izaguirre, Anastasia Marie Jackson, Bailey Ray Jackson, Brenda Sharmayn Jackson, Bryant Neil Jackson Jr., Deshante Nicole Jackson, Kayla Michelle Jackson, Kayleen A’Ke Jackson, Kyla Brooke Jackson, Raven Symone Jackson, Shaderia LaPria Jackson, Jayla Janasser Trinae James, Mi’Kayla La’Jazmon Jessie, Iran Andres Jimenez, Sevastian Jimenez, Shakiyah Ali Jimmerson, Alexandria Nicole Johnson, Da’Jaylon Ja’Quan Johnson, Extravion DaNyzche’ Johnson, Haegan Maree Alexus Leann Johnson, Kaland Isiah J’wan Johnson, Mea Nichole Johnson, Michael Aaron Johnson, Alexandria Naomih Symone Jones, Jermie Dante Jones, Kendrick Martin Jones, Lacie Murrie Jones, Saran Keita, Ke’Atra Des’ree King, Daniel Eladio Lara, Jesus Alan Lara Bustos, Destini Ma’Kaye Latham, Preston Antoine Lawe, Victoria Anna Louise Leak, Keiyonna Nicole Leary, Cheyenne Nicole Lee, Jordan Robert Leek, Alex Ray Lewis, Brandon Orona Leyva, Emma Nicole Lindsay, Keyannia Lashae Lister, Marcos Lopez Jr., Esdgar Caleb Loyola, Eduardo Gonzales Lujano, Noemi Luna, Genaro Grabiel Luna-Torres, Bri’Yauna Nia’Kole Lydia, Cody Ray MacDonald, Cornisha Nicole Madden, Adrian Madrid, Jacqueline Maldonado, Chad Palmer Malone, Emily Elizabeth Manchester, Maricela Mancilla, Kate Manriquez, Olivia Natali Manzo, Jennifer Masedo Marin, Janet Martinez, Kasandra Paola Martinez, Silvia Guillermina Martinez, Claudia Michelle Mason, Hunter Alexander Masten, Jordan Javon Masterson, Christian A. J. Mata, Paige Niavnna Mathis, Jorge Roberto Mayorga, Kelsey Olisha McDaniel, Deanna Florence McEntire, Paris Ashley McInnis, Taylor Michelle Medlin, Genesis Medrano, Jasmine Medrano, Hailey Samantha Mestas, Miayah Rachea Miller, Ramon Miramontes, Erin Elise Mitchell, Jovanna Elizabeth Mojica, Jai’Den Xavia Cortez Nathaniel Monroe, Guadalupe Jasmin Montalvo, Ysidro Montano III, Hayden Anthony Montoya, Mark Anthony Montoya, Deja Téa Mechell Moore, Quasana Marie Moore, Quiana Mani Moore, Keamber Bernay Morrow, Kenneth Earl Moss Jr., Morgan Alayna Murphy, David Nelson, Erion KeJessica Nelson, Benjamin Tan Nguyen, Van T. Nguyen, Franklin Douglas Noe, Morgan Skye Norvell, Yolanda Michelle Nunez, Carol Ocan¯a, Jesenia Jimenez Olvera, Kary Nereyda Olvera, Jarrett Orange-Dixon, Skylar Madyson Orman, Adrian Orona Jr., Evelin Yanet Osborne, Taylor Gerald Overton, Cody Calvin Pairett, Diasia Alliante Palmer, Hannah Nichole Palmer, Josefina Anna Palomino, Devon Michael Parsons, Jean M. Peña, Chandler Monique Peoples, Kimberly Peralta, Marcos Samuel Peralta, Diego Eleazar Perez, Jacqueline Perez, Jose Enrique Perez, Michael Perez, Ramiro Samir Perez, De’Votrick Rae’Quan Pickron, Victoria Danyell Pierson, Cristian Eduardo Pinales, Genesis Maireth Pineda, D’Crayvan Lewis Polk, Talia Tashea Polk, Karla Yanett Portillo, Menessa Lesha’e Poss, Atreyu Jahliel Powell, Shamariya Shalion Powell, Cameron Scott Quinney, David Alexander Ramsey, Jason Taylor Randall, Victoria Jade Raymer, Abraham Rebollar, Samantha Giselle Recendiz, Aubrie Nicole Reed, Wendy Reta-Luna, Yunior E. Reyes, Jennifer Rico Aguilar, Christian Manases Rios, Naomi Vianey Roacho Avila, Yasheka Telnia Nicole Robbinson, Kryzmon T’Ashnee Nashae Robertson, Jorge Manuel Rodriguez, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Karina Rodriguez, Maritza Alejandra Rodriguez, Jesus Roldan, Darkus Iylala Rose, Chelsi Kim Rosenbalm, Ja’Kayla Jordan Rowlett, Aurora Pilar Ruacho Gamboa, Alexander Rubio, Sara Rueda, Alex Christopher Rugley, Dantrell Ke’undrea Rugley, Hailey Louise Ryan, Heather Nicole Ryan, Eduardo Adrian Salazar, Emanuel Sanchez, Jared Adonai Sanchez, Jojan Adonis Sanchez, Karen Alejandra Sanchez, Marisol Sanchez, Jayln Quandill Sanders, John Scott III, Nadia Colette Scribner, Chakirra Nacole Seastrunk, Andrea Paola Sepúlveda-Hiraldo, Sandy Serrano, Yesenia Serrano, George Clifford Shannon, Jasmine J’Anna Shaw, Tavion Braijon Shaw, Kobe Montraveon Sheffield, Jakiron Izaih Sheffield-Jones, Lance Alan Shelton, Benjamin Roth Sherman, Stayton Kyle Shields, Steven Dewaynne Skinner, Cody Ryan Smith, Georgina Gealissa Smith, Kerry Ann Smith, Patrice Lashae Smith, Quinn Addison Smith, Garrett Frasier Snyder, Hernan Solis Reyes, Emmanuel Soria, Dianna Susanna Soto, Lacy Elizabeth Stanfill, Alexis Nichole Stanford, Kendall De’Sean Starling, Jacob Kanard Starr, Lucas Robert Steele, Elleven Korbin Still, Tearra Reneé Stoker, Isabel Suarez, Kira Shianne Swan, Fernando Franklin Ignacio Talabis III, Sara Hernandez Tapia, Keneshia Alya Tatum, Billy Ray Taylor, Christion Terrell Taylor, Christopher Dale Taylor, Da’Ajman Arkeith Taylor, Jonathan Tellez, Skylar Bransha Terry, Paul Dandrea Thomas Jr., Devontrey James Thomas-McCoy, Kendyl Allen Thompson, Jacqueline Toledo, Gary DaWayne Toliver, Oliver Edan Tomboni, Milthon Torres, Felipe Duvan Tovar, Ryan Christopher Triplett, Sarah Elizabeth Turner, Tanisha Turner-Fletcher, Sergio Alexis Urbina, Ivan Guerrero Urias, Pedro Ivan Vargas, Eber Usziel Vazquez, Gumeicindo Emmanuel Vasquez R, Luis Angel Vazquez, Noe Aragon Vazquez, Ricardo Lee Vazquez Jr., Tiece D’azhon Veasley, Davianna Renee Venters, J’Quarious Dqavion Venters, Marco Antonio Villanueva, Camron Amohn Wafer, Seth Michael Wallace, Ge’Kaelup Ikemiyon Kenye Watkins, ShaQuincy Carlene Watts, Patton Decory Webb, Tra’Veion Marquise Webster, Justin Hal Wendt, Kendrevian MonCquez White, Gaylon De’Shawn Wiley, Ashley Nicole Williams, Bishop Sebastian Williams, Blake Austin Williams, Coleman DeAndre Williams, Jayla Shawnice Williams, Je’Vonnie Tre’mil Williams, Kailen Deanna Williams, J’Ven Armond Wilson, Jayla Reese Wilson G, Ke’Undre Lynn Wilson, Kenneth Jay Wilson-Sanchez, Ke’Andra Moniqua Womack, Jacob Mercer Wright, Shea Lynn Wright, Nicholas De’Jon Writt, Steven Yanez, Israel Zulueta Carballo, and Guillermo Zuniga.
