WHS graduates walk across the stage

Recounting the struggles of her parents as immigrants in a new country, Wylie High School valedictorian Segan Gilazgi encouraged the Class of 2018 to accept the trials and hard work to come in following their dreams to success.

WHS conducted commencement exercises for its almost 500-member senior class at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Allen Event Center.

After the graduating class entered the venue to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” WHS Air Force JROTC cadets presented the colors and the wind symphony performed the national anthem. Principal Virdie Montgomery introduced class leaders and school administrative staff, and Wylie Independent School District Superintendent David Vinson introduced school trustees and district administrative staff.

A special performance of the Battle Hymn of the Republic was presented by the WHS choir and wind symphony, followed by the salutatory and valedictory addresses.

Salutatorian Victoria Bradley based her speech on the importance of coffee to success in high school, comparing the process of growing and preparing the beans to the educational environment, and noting about her topic, “If it doesn’t work, well, there’s a reason I’m not valedictorian.”

“Through my coffee research I learned that when planting the beans, farmers will plant another tree next to it to provide shade for the coffee tree since coffee is sensitive to sunlight,” Bradley explained. “Just like a coffee tree needs shade, humans need to be comfortable with seeking support from others. My friends and I may throw shade at each other all the time, but we know that it’s just our form of showing support. If we had all tried to get through high school without leaning on each other, it wouldn’t have been pretty.”

Joe Reavis • [email protected]

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