Class of 2023 graduates toss their mortarboards outside Rosalia High School Saturday, June 10.
Rosalia Salutatorian Erik Lozcano welcomes graduates, family and friends to Rosalia High School's commencement ceremony.
Valedictorian Riley Gehring smiles after being presented his diploma, markinig the end of his high school career.
Freylise Fischer gets a hug as she gives a loved one a rose.
ROSALIA – The 13 members of the Rosalia High School Class of 2023 graduated Saturday, June 10, with advice to stay positive.
Keynote speaker Terry Boxleitner and Valedictoria Riley Daniel Gehring both offered that advice before a packed gymnasium at the school, 916 S. Josephine Ave.
Before receiving the words of wisdom on attitude, Salutatorian Erik Xavier Lazcano and Principal Matt McLain welcomed commencement-goers.
"It's been a long 13 years," Lazcano said, with McLain following him up saying the class is "really special."
In addition to being principal, McLain also served as the class' Spanish teacher, noting his time in class with the graduates was the "best part of my day."
"I am so proud of the young men and women you've become," he said, addressing graduates directly.
McClain recalled his "fun food Fridays" with the students, as well as their hijinks, adding that the class had a lot of hot air, in that members filled rooms multiple times with inflated balloons.
"You are some extreme airheads," he said jokingly.
After a short welcome, McLain turned the podium back over to Lazcano for his Salutatorian address.
"This is a special day we've all worked hard for," he said, calling his class "unusually united."
Gehring took the podium to offer his Valedictorian address.
"These last four years, we've all grown," he said. "Our growth was not done without obstacles."
Gehring told his classmates to stay focused when future problems crop up.
"Try to find solutions," he said. "If you sit back with a bad attitude about everything, it won't be solved."
Classmates Bryce Casey and Cody Fanara provided a look at the class with a video before Boxleitner took to the podium with his message of positivity.
"This group pushed me out of coaching, but in a positive way," the retired coach said.
Boxleitner recounted his days coaching members of the class and told the graduates to keep the "confidence you have as a senior" while also telling them to acknowledge that have a lot of years ahead to pick up knowledge.
"Be positive," he said. "There are going to be some tough situations that come your way. But you'll be ready because you'll be positive."
After the keynote speech, seniors took time to give roses to their parents, loved one and community members who supported them.
With roses handed out, Jenna Schu took to the stage to announce scholarships and awards, with Lazcano and Gehring collecting several.
Superintendent Brett Baum followed up the awards by presenting the class for graduation.
Once diplomas were conferred, the class turned their tassels.
And amid "Pomp and Circumstance," the graduates headed outside to throw their mortarboards high into the air and greet family and community members who came to wish them well.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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