Pleasant Valley High graduates 424 Vikings – Chico Enterprise-Record

CHICO — The senior class of Pleasant Valley High School graduated Friday evening with 424 students having earned their high school diploma.

The class known for their freshman year being cut short of in-person classes has taken that experience, made it their own and are moving on to a new stage of life.

In looking back on their experience, seniors shared some wisdom they’ve learned during their time as a Viking.

Two friends, Mackenzie Dowd and Ayesha Ahmad, said the end of their high school experience was eventful because they got to see things they missed starting out.

“With COVID and everything, we’ve had four different schedules each year with online learning as well,” Ahmad said.

School in person “made it even better because we had all of our experiences we didn’t have in our freshman and sophomore year,” Dowd said.

Dowd said high school taught her to live in the moment and not let little things get in the way

Ahmad said seeing all her classmates dressed in blue graduation gowns is bittersweet.

“It’s exciting but it’s sad to leave all your friends and everything,” said Ahmad.

Friends Gabe Garretseon, Kol Guzman and Hunter Sanzone have plans to continue their education at Butte College.

“It was good; had a lot of fun, made a lot of memories, met a lot of cool people,” Garretson said, noting his most important lesson in school was “If you love somebody, don’t let them go.”

Guzman said his friends made his high school experience super fun, and Sanzone said being in person was “More high school than usual.”

Julia Weber said her high school experience was difficult — as she had expected — until it wasn’t.

“When it really came down to it, it was fine. It wasn’t the worst thing I’ve been through, but it wasn’t the best,” said Weber.

Weber said she looks forward to attending fashion and cosmetology school.

Joseph Vang went to Butte College concurrent with high school with the school’s College Connections program.

Vang said the most important thing he learned was “just be yourself and try to find who you are.”

Mallory Benson said her high school experience taught her love matters the most.

“I think people often get caught up in school. And forget about their family and friends and really lose those connections … at the end of the day, love is more important,” Benson said.

Lucas Grebmeier said he wished he’d made more of his high school experience and plans to use that lesson in the future when he attends Chico State.

Braeden Raley said school was stressful and learned that treating people with equal respect will get him far.

Leading the ceremony, the national anthem was sung by the Pleasant Valley High School Choir, led by Holly Taylor.

Assistant Principal Renee Spaggiari congratulated her final senior class as she moves on to retirement after 17 years

“Thank you our embracing our Viking culture and being the biggest part of our Viking family.” Spaggiari said to the class.

The senior class spoke on reflections of school for their ceremony as a sendoff to their class.

ASB President Allison Williams presented her speech titled “Resilience” touching on their freshman year being held online as the nation worked through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anaya Riggs on vocals and Farin Haight on keyboard performed “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen.

Senior Class President Kalani Sterling likened her class as artists finding their medium in the different areas of the high school experience.

“High school has been a canvas for our growth, a place we learned to express ourselves and find our unique voices,” Sterling said.

Godsgrace Mgbam and Mikael Tekali performed “Slipping Through my Fingers” by ABBA.

“She keeps on growing, slipping through my fingers all the time,” they sang.

Colby Kennedy addressed the class in his speech, “The Final Curtain Call” comparing the four years of high school to four acts in a show — the first act having cut the expectations of what students thought high school would be, and the final act having persevered through it all.

“We went off script and we’re rewarded, but we hadn’t had it easy. This stage is unlike any other senior class in high school, but we, as a cast, persevered.”

Ella Riccomini closed the senior reflections with her speech “Defining Moments,” encouraging her classmates to find what will define them in the future.

“No one who stands here today remains the same as they entered four years ago on one hot August day … 1,461 days have provided you for opportunities to challenge yourself, to girls, and to transition from who you were to who sits here today,” Roccomini said.

“Where you continue on will be your choice. You will come to encounter many of these choices that come with their own obstacle that will weigh you down … but it is up to you what to decide ‘What moment will define me? Who will I choose to become?’”