The 2018 Golden Valley High School graduating class looked to the future – rapidly becoming the present – during the schools culmination ceremony at College of the Canyons Thursday evening.

Several of the speakers during the ceremony emphasized persistence and gratitude over nostalgia.

“To say students are our future is inaccurate,” said Principal Sal Frias. “Students, you are our now.”

“There are times you won’t want to do things,” history teacher Shanna Mann said. “Do them anyway.”

As students prepared to move ahead and receive their diploma booklets, the students at the podium took time to look back on what their high school experience meant.

“Reaching this privilege today of finally sporting the cap and gown and speaking before you all demanded something more than four years of rigorous classes and hard work: maturity,” said Valedictorian Ian Wahagheghe.

“Class of 2018, there is no doubt that everyone of us had aspirations and visions for our four years when we entered Golden Valley,” Wahagheghe said. “But as naive freshman, we often found our eyes on the goal, the destination, instead of the journey.”

To the speakers, the journey students embarked on continues beyond high school, and spoke of committing to it rather than letting go.

“Just hold on, hold on everyday,” said Frias, quoting REM’s song ‘Everybody Hurts.’ “Hold on and help others.”

But as students sat ready to move on to the next stage of their lives, the speaker asked that they not forget who helped them along the way and the friends they made.

“I’d like to thank my family, and at this time I’d like you to thank yours,” said Mann to the students.

The crowd roared with applause at the students made a standing ovation towards their families and friends in the stands.

To see more pictures from the graduation, view the gallery below:

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