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173 graduate at Apache Junction High School

They lined up in two lines, waiting to be led onto Davis Field.

It was just before 7 p.m. May 20 and the Apache Junction High School seniors were about to become Apache Junction High School graduates.

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News

173 graduate at Apache Junction High School

Posted Friday, May 21, 2021 10:37 am

We’re proud of you. Be bold, be strong, be Prospectors.”

Apache Junction principal Dr. Chris Lineberry

The Class of 2021

Graduates are: Mckayla K. Adams, Anjolie A. Aguilera, Julian E. II Allison, Rheanna L. Allison, Shelly Alvarado Moreno, Sigfrido Armijo Ibarra, Megan A. Ash Jose M. Ayala, Xander L. Back, Benjamin D. Bailon, Hector M. Bailon, Alissa M. Baker, Angela M. Ball, Savannah S. Barr, Jordan Barraza, Meghan L. Bartley, Jessica Bautista Jose, Nicklas D. Bayer, Katelyn M. Beazley, Ryan E. Beseth, Caris E. Bishop, Brianna J. Bogart, Robert N. Bowers, Michelle Bracamontes Urquijo, Laila H. Brady, SeAnna M. Brennan, Katelyn R. Brown, Owen S. Brunson, Brody B. Bullard, Ashley A. Burton, Eva G. Bywater, Kaetlyn M. Calvo Salazar, Breanna A. Candelas, Rocio D. Carlos, Emmanuel Cervantes Huerta, Lizbeth Chavira, Kaidiance M. Cleland, Chloe A. Collins, Haley E. Compton and Dylan M. Corbett.

Also, Ramy R. Cortez, Taylor A. Crichton, Ellie L. Crisp, Ivy M. Czudak, Thomas C. Davis, Matthew Ej G. De Guzman, Diana D. Delgado, Joshua D. Delintt, Kylee J. Demauro, Kyle A. Demery, Cole J. Denham, Faith V. DeVree, William C. Ellis, Trevor D. Erb, Desiree M. Etherton, Wyatt D. Farrar, Jordan J. Farrow, Garold W. Fletcher, III, Kolby A. Fox, Ariana R. Foxx, Aydin D. Franko, Nathan D. Frye, Zayden R. Furnish, Cameron A. Garcia, Ximena N. Garcia, Stephanie Gasga Jimenez, Jude B. Gogo, Zander T. Gomez, Zoey L. Gonzalez, Zachary Grattan, Kaitlin L. Greathouse, Cian M. Green, Tristen J. Greer, Jacob Gutierrez Sanchez, Katriel S. Hamilton, Cameron T. Haselhorst, Makayla N. Henwood, David K. Hofmann, Blake W. Holbert, Crystal D. Hughes and Daylee Imus.

Also, Christina Ann M. Johnson, Jayden S. Johnson, Oshyn M. Jordan, Cavery J. Karsten, Colton J. Karsten, Hailey A. Keeme, Drake T. Kelley, Jaylen R. Kelsey, Nevaeh J. Killian, Ethan B. Knox, Kaitlyn M. Kohlmeyer, Chloe M. Krueger, Faith Linder, Melvin M. Lopez, Angelica Lopez Peralta, Victor J. Lujan, Payton C. Manus, Justis L. Marciano, Paul J. Marciano, Cole W. Martin, Kaylah M. Martin, Giulia Martinelli, Hunter J. Mayes, Anna Mayfield, Stone A. McPike Woodrey, Yatzil Mendez Rodriguez, Jeremiah E. Milledge, Derek C. Miller, Tyler D. Miller, Jaden M. Miner, Hanna R. Moenkemier, Hannah E. Molino, Makayla A. Montoya, Maria Y. Moreno De Santiago, Julia A. Morges, Kassidee B. Morrow, Nathan E. Munoz, Sarah M. Nieman, Savana E. Orrantia and Fernando Ortiz.

Also, Elisa I. Pacheco Pillado, Pamela S. Page, Ainsley M. Pape, Madonna M. Parker, Kevin Perez Dominguez, Edward F. Perez, Anthony R. Peters, Shawn T. Plott, Jr, Kody T. Pudney, Timothe M. Raber, Arly N. Ramos, Sofia N. Rascon Soto, Holton D. Rippey, Ryan T. Robinson, Jeisey A. Rodriguez, Lizbeth I. Rodriguez, Adrian E. Romo, Janice B. Roque, Daisy E. Ruelas Estrada, Jasmine R. Say, Raven R. Say, Ava J. Scalmato, Hanna M. Schrand, Tatum K. Schuh, Jorja R. Schuster, Hanna M. Shreve, Kaylee N. Smith, Russel R. Smith, Cody D. Sorenson, Emory A. Struck, Brianna F. Suki Leland, Tallyn J. Taylor, Michelle Tenorio Vargas, Hailey N. Tomczyk, Tristin M. Tucker, Logan J. Turley, Alondra L. Urias Miramontes, MacKenzie P. Vandekrol, Melanie L. Vannoy, Adison M. Vargas, Veronica Vargas, Alexander P. Vega, Daniel R. Vergos, Noah C. Virgil, Kelsye Vivanco Torres, Shelby A. Wiltz, Brooke M. Wine, Jersiah Wrobleski, Isabelle G. Yakel, Roman D. Yashchuk.

Source: AJUSD

By Scott Bordow

They lined up in two lines, waiting to be led onto Davis Field.

It was just before 7 p.m. May 20 and the Apache Junction High School seniors were about to become Apache Junction High School graduates.

They held their graduation caps with one hand, ensuring the caps didn’t fly away into the gentle wind. They talked and smiled and laughed with one another, and in that moment, everything about this past school year was forgotten.

COVID-19.

Masks.

Online or hybrid learning.

“We as a class have faced many obstacles that made this day impossible, but we have overcome,” salutatorian Lizbeth Rodriguez would say in her speech.

And now here they were.

The bleachers were filled with brothers and sisters, moms and dads, grandparents and friends. They brought balloons and flowers and air horns for when their favorite senior had his or her name announced.

Apache Junction principal Dr. Chris Lineberry stepped up to the podium and looked out among the 173 soon-to-be graduates.

“Today is a day of celebration,” he said.

Other speakers followed.

Ms. Rodriguez recalled the seniors coming into AJHS as freshmen and, “being terrified of being small fish in a big pond.”

Valedictorian SeAnna Brennan told her fellow students, “I think we can all agree with how good it feels to celebrate tonight … As I stand here today before you all I find it hard to believe this is happening.”

Ms. Brennan told the seniors that whatever path they choose, whether it’s college, the workforce or an apprenticeship, “If you give the world 100% it will give it back to you. I truly hope every one of you finds happiness and fulfillment.”

Apache Junction Mayor Chip Wilson reminded the graduates that while their future is in front of them never to forget where they came from.

“Whatever path you take you’ll always have a home here in Apache Junction,” he said.

As the ceremony neared its end, Dr. Lineberry took the podium one last time.

“I am proud of you,” he said. “We’re proud of you. Be bold, be strong, be Prospectors.”

Just after 8 p.m. the seniors, diplomas in hand, made their way to the circle near the north end zone. At the count of three, Dr. Lineberry told them, toss your caps into the air.

“One, two, three,” he announced, and the caps flew into the gray sky as the Class of 2021 joyously celebrated.

The ceremony was over. Their life was ahead of them.

Editor’s note: Scott Bordow is Apache Junction Unified School District’s director of communications and community engagement.