YHS Valedictorians honored at dinner

— Sherry Colgate

Yosemite High School seniors honored as Pitman Scholars and class valedictorians are: Front Row: Kristen Lee Lownsbury, Saranya Srinivasan, Brie Solaegui, Matt Wilkinson, Hilary Lucas, McKenzie Cox, Deanna Hendrickson, Andrea Starkey, Joy Barney, Bethany Nelson and Sarah Scott.

Back Row: Justen Peek, Emily Branch, Melissa Skulley, Candace Muller, Ryan O'Hanlon, Adriana Aguilar, Leah Larson and Amy Rose Mecchi.

Elizabeth Zielins

Many students dream of becoming one of the top students - or a valedictorian - in their senior graduating class. This year, 19 students were recognized for being the top seniors in the class of 2002 at the Pitman Awards Banquet. Many were present at the Elks Lodge to recognize the students for their efforts and various achievements throughout their years at Yosemite High School.

The ceremony started out with a welcome to all of the students and their families from education director Dr. Bill Atwood, and was followed with a speech by Master of Ceremonies Jack Hannah. Hannah, who has acted in some recent McDonald’s commercials and is one of the Sons of the San Joaquin. Among other things in his opening speech, Hannah recognized Paul and Martha Pitman, who were the “ driving force behind the formation of Yosemite High School.”

After moving to Oakhurst to retire, the Pitmans worked hard along with many others to get a high school in the Oakhurst area, so students would not have to travel so far to schools such as Madera, Sierra, and Clovis high schools. The awards banquet recognizing the top seniors is dedicated in honor of the Pitmans.

Following the introductions and the banquet part of the ceremony, each student was called to the front of the Elks’ hall and presented with their award. Hannah gave a short synopsis of the “reflections” which were written by the students themselves, summarizing what they learned over their years at high school. Each student had a seemingly different outlook on his or her years at high school. Many realized what their future careers and passions would be.

“High school has helped me to find what I am interested in,” states Deanna Hendrickson. Other students not only realized their academic goals, but also found out who they really were on the inside.

“High school for me has been a time to find myself and figure out who I’m going to be for the rest of my life,” said McKenzie Cox.

“High school has been an incredible time of growth and learning for me,” wrote Kristen Lee Lownsbury in her reflections, “I have met a lot of people who have helped me develop into who I am today.”

Among those who many of the seniors mention as helping to shape their lives and develop their personalities throughout their years at high school are teachers. Memories of fun times in class as well as in extra-curricular activities all involve different teachers who have been a part of each senior’s life.

However, students do feel that they have been greatly shaped by the friends that they have had in high school. “Overall, the best times in high school I shared with my friends,” said Hilary Lucas, ASB president. Moments with friends and coaches alike are found in the reflections of seniors involved in sports. Matthew Richard Wilkinson specifically mentioned basketball in his reflection.

“My teammates taught me the importance of staying true to your friends and working together, while my coach taught me to be respectful, honest, obedient, disciplined, and most importantly to work hard and never give up,” Wilkinson states.

Bethany Nelson and Joy Barney both feel that their years in high school have strengthened their faith in Jesus Christ.

“Any struggle or situation that I have faced in high school has shown me my need for Jesus Christ and confirmed my belief that faith can get a person through anything and everything that must be faced,” said Barney.

“Through the good times and especially the bad, God has taught me more and more what it is to be a follower of Christ,” wrote Nelson.

Grades, friends, spirituality, careers, and passions- all the things that seniors have learned, found, and explored. Being recognized as the valedictorians of the Class of 2002 at Yosemite High School, and reflecting on their years there, it seems as if, as Adriana Aguilar wrote, “High School has been a very interesting journey.”