Class of 2020: Mendota High School
Mendota High School 2020 Graduation Speeches
Speaker: Brenda Hernandez
Hello everyone my name is Brenda Hernandez, aka the “nerd” of this year’s Mendota graduating class. Well, I have to admit this is not how I imagined I would be giving my speech. I imagined looking out to a crowd filled with my classmate’s families, who would probably be wishing I could finish my speech quickly so we could move on to the next part of the ceremony. Turns out we were a special class and because of that, we needed to have the most memorable senior year and graduation. I thought very long and hard about what I wanted to say. I wish I could say that most of us will stay in touch with each other, be there for the big moments but the truth is that we most likely will never see each other again. So I decided to use this time to say goodbye and good luck. I know it sounds cliché but I hope that all my classmates have left high school a better person than how they walked in. We have been through a lot together. From walking around the basketball court during recess when we got in trouble at McCabe, to simultaneously deciding to never cheer loud at rallies, and to stress out about absurd drama. I guess I never realized all the moments that happened throughout our 12 years together until I was forced to. We have endured both good and bad moments but somehow we managed to pull through with the help of friends, family, and school staff. So that is why I would like to take this time on behalf of the class of 2020 to thank our class advisors Ms. Ochoa and Mr. Dutcher. Thank you for all your efforts and hard work when it came to making our senior year special. Although we did not have the chance to experience all the amazing events you had planned, the amount of time you both put into it is noted and appreciated. We could not have asked for better advisors. I would also like to spare a moment to thank all of those in my life who pushed me and cheered me on throughout all these years. Thank you mom, thank you, dad, for giving me the love and guidance I needed. Thank you, Juan, for always waking up every morning to drive me to school and always encouraging me to aim high. Thank you, Lety for always helping me when I asked and putting up with my late-night study sessions. Thank you, Jose, for always asking how I was doing and making me smile. And to David, my amazing nephew, thank you for always trying to lift my spirits when I was sad. My amazing family, I love you and wonder every day how you put up with me. I guess it is because you had to deal with me but thank you anyway. I am almost done I promise. I would like to shout out to my other family. The “Wonderful” family. It has been a stress-filled 4 years but the wonderful cohort we somehow pulled through. I will admit that at first, I was worried when entering this program. I was not friends with any of you, yet over time all of you, and I mean all of you even those not in the program anymore have somehow gained a portion of my heart. I will miss you and just want to say I love you guys. Even better was I made amazing friends. Joelynn, Deysi, Jazmín, and Monse, you made these past two years beautiful and fun. I will miss going to Di Amici Coffee Shop, staying there until closing time because even though we were there to study and work, we somehow managed to laugh through it all. I would also like to shout out Mr. Sellick, Miss. Camiro, Mrs. Covarrubias, Mrs.Robledo, and Mr.Miranda for putting up with all my antics and taking the time to help me pursue my dreams. There are so many others not mentioned but I have dragged this out long enough. Mendota class of 2020, although I do not know each one of you, I would just like to wish you well. I wish you happiness, love, success, and joy. Life is not going to get any easier, our town has been labeled so many atrocious things but I pray we all find it in our hearts to do well by our town because no matter where you go, your roots are here. You came from Mendota California and be proud of that. Leave here with a goal and purpose. Well, now it’s finally time for me to say goodbye. Goodbye, my class of 2020, and good luck.
Speaker: Deysi Alvaro
Hello everyone, my name is Deysi Alvaro Ceja and I am a student at Mendota High School. This school year my fellow high school seniors and I will be accomplishing one of the major early milestones of our lives: high school graduation. This is a major step in the journey of our lives, we are celebrating more than a decade of long and hard years of learning. As we all leave this chapter behind and move onto the next chapters of our lives, we will not only carry the knowledge but also the huge life lessons taught by our parents, family members, teachers, and counselors, which have all played a huge role in our success.
Mom, Dad, I want to thank you both for the immense support you have given me throughout my school career. Your hard work and sacrifices made me the young lady I am today. My parents migrated from a small town in Mexico, leaving everything behind; their family, friends, home, people, and language. Your sacrifice was the most beautiful form of showing us your love. Gracias por todo papás, los amo con todo mi corazón! Siempre voy estar inmensamente agradecida con ustedes!
Teachers and administrators, I will like to extend my sincere appreciation for your dedication. I know that class of 2020 has not always been the easiest group to handle, but somehow you got us this far. Thank you all for believing in each and one of us and helping us open doors to our future. We will forever be grateful! We are ending this chapter of our lives with confidence given the immense effort you all have invested in our education. I want to especially thank the following educators who have made a huge impact in my life: Maria Ochoa, Claudia Robledo, Maria Fraga, Maricarmen Figueroa, Vanessa Covarrubias, Lupe Medoza, Bradley Miranda, Dale P. Dutcher, and Emilio Anguiano. These nine amazing individuals have always helped me believe in myself, since day one they have pushed me to my limits in becoming a better student and a better person. Thank you for everything!
I want everyone to know that I am a strong woman of color who is determined to represent her community. From a young age, I was told that in order to succeed in this world I needed an education. Since then, I have leveraged opportunities to pursue my dreams for higher education. I hope to make my community, family, friends, and parents proud. I hope that my parents will smile and reflect on their sacrifices when they see the fruition of my future success.
Lets go class of 2020! Continue to be extraordinary and prove to the people out there that Mendota is more than what statistics show! Wherever life takes you, don’t ever forget where you come from; this community, school campus, people, and school staff helped shape you to the person you are today. I wish you all the best and don’t forget that nobody is you and that will forever be your greatest superpower. Let’s go out there and do amazing things.
Principal’s note
To the graduating class of Mendota High School 2020: It has been a privilege to serve as your principal during the past four years. Know, that just because we did not meet on the stage in a filled stadium, it does not mean that you didn’t do it! Be proud, you have earned the title of “GRADUATE” at the school of “No Excuses.” We all congratulate you on your accomplishment. Our district motto is “Building Scholars, Leaders and Champions,” you fulfilled these expectations. Best wishes in your future endeavors. Rest assured we will never forget the graduating class of 2020.
Mr. Travis Kirby
Superintendent’s note
Class of 2020,
Congratulations! You have made us very proud. Your hard work and determination has paid off and now you are officially Mendota High School Graduates. You will forever be remembered as the class that persevered through many challenges including a Pandemic. Stay strong and resilient and do not forget your roots. Remember to view life as a marathon, not a sprint. Class of 2020, you have left your mark in Mendota High School and now it is time to begin your journey as adults. Embrace life with a passion, always strive to be your best in all things, and do not ever give up pursuing your dreams and the good things in life. Go Aztecs!
Paul Lopez, Ed.D.
This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 12:00 AM.