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Class of 2019 FHHS Falcons fledge

Posted 5/28/19

This past Friday, family, friends and educators of the 2019 Fountain Hills High School class conjugated in Fountain Park to celebrate a moment that has been years in the making.

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Class of 2019 FHHS Falcons fledge

Posted

This past Friday, family, friends and educators of the 2019 Fountain Hills High School class conjugated in Fountain Park to celebrate a moment that has been years in the making.

The Fountain Hills High School graduation ceremony took place on Friday, May 24, at the heart of Fountain Hills, concluding a week of celebrator graduation events at McDowell Mountain and Fountain Hills Middle School.

The class of 2019 arrived to a packed Fountain Park a few moments before 7:30 p.m. After making their way to their seats while the band played Pomp and Circumstance, FHHS principal Dr. Cain Jagodzinski welcomed everyone while explaining his admiration for the 2019 class.

“The class of 2019 always came together for success,” Jagodzinski said. “No matter where they individually came from they always came together.”

After Jagodzinski, Fountain Hills Unified School District Governing Board Member Dr. C.T Wright delivered passionate opening speech.

“When I use my imagination in five years I see you coming back to Fountain Hills as teachers, in 10 years I see you becoming the principal of Fountain Hills High School,” Wright proclaimed to the class of 2019. “When you get up every morning I want you to look in the mirror and say I am the best because I went to Fountain Hills High School.”

Following Dr. Wright was Senior Class President, Matthew McDonald, who talked about how retrospective writing the speech made him.

“Growing up my favorite toy was Play-Doh,” McDonald explained. “By itself it wasn’t much of a toy, you were the one that molded it into something. We are like Play-Doh and whether you realize it or not those sitting next to you, in front of you and behind you have molded you into who you are today.”

Next FHHS counselor Erika Phillips recognized the tiered diploma recipients and acknowledged those who have been in the FHUSD from their whole education career.

After the Jazz Choir sang a rendition of The Beatles song “In my life” Valedictorian John Adams took the stage delivered his speech where he used a quote from Superman to describe the drive of the class of 2019.

“Christopher Reeves once said ‘So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable,’” Adams said. “That is the drive I know the Class of 2019 has and I cannot wait to see what you all do with it.”

Following the Valedictorian’s speech is usually the Salutatorian’s speech but this year FHHS was in the unique position of having two Salutatorians to hear from.

The first one to give her speech was Paige Despain, who continued to acknowledge the drive of her class.

“It doesn’t scare us to change the Status Quo,” Despain said. “At the beginning of high school career we didn’t have a boys volleyball team, a swim team or a veteran’s heritage club. Now at the end of our high school career we have created all of those.”

The second Salutatorian was Michal Suchanek who promised his peers that he would join them in facing adversity the way they also had in school.

“I pledge along with the rest of you to face any future challenge or problem with a grin.” Suchanek said.

Suchanek then introduced the senior classes choose for the Silver Falcon award, teacher Cristine Barsema, who using her mathematical background surveyed the class of 2019.

“Eighty-three percent of you will be going to an in state college, 12 percent are attending out of state college, 6 percent will join the armed forces and 1 percent are going on a mission,” Barsema concluded. “I wish 100 percent of you all the success in your future.”

The final speech of the night was from student body President Andrew O’Neil, who was grateful for the acceptance he found among his peers when he moved to Fountain Hills in middle school.

“I just want to finish by saying thank you to you all, thank you for letting the weird kid in sixth grade become your student body president,” O’Neil said.

After that each member of the class of 2019 made their why across the stage as high school seniors to receive their diploma and walked off as a high school graduate.